Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-08-12

would rlpen.
She did not look at him now, but at
the picture, as she asked in a low voice,
"And whom am | TO thank for such an
honor?
MY name is Hubert Carradine," he
answered, and saw at once that it was no
unfamiliar word to her. "And yours !?
Through all these years your face has
haunted me always, but your name l
never knew"
She hesitated moment, then turned
to him.
"You never knew my name ? Then
think of me still as you have thought of
me through all these years." she said, a
half smile lingering about her mouth,
but never lighting the great dark eyes
that were shaded by some subtle sadness.
The look, the tone, transported Cara
dine beyond all remembrance of place
or circumstance, into the unreal realm
of imagination in which his wish was
supreme ruler.
81 have thought of you always as
my life and my love, he said, half nm
consciously, his dreamy, deep gray eyes
glowing upon her face. She blushed
suddenly, and then paled in an instant.
Just then her former companion en-
tered the room.
g | am Leila Auvernay, 3" she said,
hastily, "and this is Cecil Wyndham,
my-my betrothed husband"
Not another word was said. As the
young man approached, Carradine fell
back step and looked at the two. His
was fair, handsome face, so little
marked as yet by time, that it would be
hard for an Impractical eye to con-
lecture with what lines the shaping
character would yet stamp it. Never
theless, with one keen gaze Carradine
estimated both present and future.
She said a few low-spoken words to
her companion, who presently moved
toward Carradine, and addressed him.
:" have the honor of speaking to Mr..
Carradine, the painter of this picture %
Carradine bowed without speaking.
Will you pardon me for asking if it
Is fancy sketch - continued Mr.
Wyndham.
Partly so, but suggested by the
face of little girl" answered the artist
But the likeness is so very striking ~
muttered the young gentleman, 81
you will part with it-at your own
price 2"
The picture is not for SALE" said
Carradine, quietly, still regarding the
young man with that cool, steady gaze
which had already caused him to betray
hesitation, almost confusion, very I'M
hike his usual easy confidence. He
seemed to have an instructive knowledge
that the artist was measuring him, and
to shrink from that measurement with
unconscious dread,
Carradine saw Leila Auvernay once
more before she returned to her home
in n distant town. Then he took his
picture from the academy walls, and
hung it in his studio, where his eyes
could find it whenever he looked away
from his work. For he did not give up
work; yet, among themselves, his
friends pronounced him an altered man.
and marveled what had caused so subtle
difference. Always quiet, he now
seemed to live in an ideal world of his
own; and, whatever he might occupy
himself with, there was that in his
manner which appeared to imply that
1t was only a temporary diversion until
the coming of some event for which he
was waiting.
So passed half year, at the end of
which there came letter to Carradine.
1t was very brief, but it was enough to
assure him of that which he had been
almost unconsciously expecting.
The letter was from Leila Auvernay.
He went TO her at once. She met him
with laughing light in her eyes, such
as he had not seen there when she stood
in the gallery beside her betrothed hus-
band ; light which recalled the merry
child who had smiled down on mm son
long ago.
Mr.. Carradine," she said 81 told
you that my fortune was gone, but l
did not tell you how utterly it had been
swept away. l am nothing better than
beggar Will you take nue. for one of
your students, for charity's sake ?"
He looked searchingly iuto her smil-
ing face.
"And Mr.. Wyndham ?" he asked in a
low voice.
She laughed without SO much as q
flush of emotion.
"Mr. Wyndham has gone with the
rest of my worldly possessions. Did /
not say that | had lost everything :?
You see MIR. Carradine, that l am not of
as much worth now as my picture"
The words, as she said them, did not
seem bitter. He took her hands.
Leila" he said, "does your loss
make you unhappy?"
Do l look SOP she asked, gayly.
" AS for the marriage, it was my
fathers wish, and to crafty his dying
request l consented-before I knew my
own heart" Here a quick, vivid color
shot into her cheek, but she went
on. "There never was love on my
side and on his-well, money is more
than love-with some natures. do not
wish to blame him.
Carradlne's grasp frightened on her
hands.
"Leila, he said, "once your answer
put bar between us. when l spoke words
that were surprised out of my heart.
Would it be SO now, if | should say
them once more? My love, my life,
will you come to me %
Will L come = she repeated, looking
up in his eyes and drawing nearer, until
his arms silently folded about her.
And so Carradine found his love at
last.
The Fortunate Butler.