Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-12-15

place entirely, and when Robert left her
for Il little while she congratulated her
self on being out of sight in an obscure
corner.
She was sitting looking at the gay
people, when she saw her brother on
the other side of the room with party
of friends. She thought he beckoned
to her. Had she only known her mis-
take! She started to go to him, and
somehow, in the lace flounces of sweep
ing dress fell her unwary footsteps. 1t
was all done So quickly that Edith stood
still, seemingly fascinated by the broken
meshes of the lace-covered train. She
was not annhilated by the looks OF the
pretty owner of the garment, for they
were not seen by her.
"By all that is lovely, Rayner, there s
the counterpart of my picture you
painted. | thought it was ideal, but
there she is in flesh and blood, and a
pretty scrape she is in, should say"
"Why, and Robert started-"that's s
Edie."
Edith with her brother by her re-
IlltIllDtIttl ilcIStI.
"But Robert, tore the dress so fear
fully, and it is such lovely lace!"
"IIumphn
They looked up to see Mr.. Blanco
near them.
"Beg your pardon, Mr.. Rayner, but
torn furbelows, which happen to belong
to cousin of mine"
Mr.. Blanco knew, and Robert sur
missed, that the desire for an introduce
ton was what drew his remark.
"How beautiful your cousin is" said
Edith, later on in the evening, when
she sat tete q tete with Albert Blanco.
All her reserve seemed to vanish i'm his
presence.
"Yes," was the reply; but she is not
half SO beautiful as"
His eyes dwelt for an instant on his
companions face, but the sentence re-
manned unfinished.
1t had been some months since the
events of the ball The friendship had
quickly strengthened between Mr..
Blanco, Robert and his idealized sister.
In fact Edith wondered if it were not
something more than friendly regard she
felt for her friend. But had not his
cousin informed Robert that Albert was
engaged? Oh, dear! why should that
irritate her?
For u second time she was dreaming
by bright coal fire, one hand sup
porting the sober, pensive face. Her
revery was broken by the entrance OF
the object of her thoughts. She knew
Albert had been for long time in the
studio with Robert
"And are yo thoughts PLEASANT"
-.s' s'Not very" was her reply.
al have been asking Robert to bring
you to my house this evening. l have
painting we have been discussing"
"a painting?" she asked with some
curiosity. OF what? should like tc
see it, if it is something nice"
81 wish you to do so, Edith, foi
the picture is beautiful, and of lady
whom love and hope to marry. vii
you come? Would you like to Sc,
herr"
He waited some time for the hesi
tating eyes" and noted, not with dis
pleasure, that it was given reluctantly
Robert thought her less communi
cative, less cheerful than was hel
wont, when he came in and found hel
alone. And he, too, seemed to smile
over the unusual mood.
Albert Blanco's home was one o.
wealth and luxury. Edith noticed il
all She had never before been there
and yet Albert soon put her at hel
ease. He had faculty for making hel
forget her embarrassment in strange
| places. tA
81 will show you the picture now
he said, after they had finished looking
at some drawings. Words cannot ex
press how l love the original"
"She ought to be very happy then,
replied Edith, before she thought wha
she was saying. R
He had taken her into an adjoining
room.
"This is the painting, Edith"
Only one glance did she give to her
own counterpart and POI trait, ant
turned to go; but OBTAINING hand an(
ann prevented.
'Is she very happy, Edith, as you
said she ought to be p"
We think she was and is, for Ger
tainly no happier home exists thar
that of Albert Blanco. And his wife
Edith, never now is put to her wits
end to get something to wear.