The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-31

to Dana, he would be grateful all hi
life. Miss Braxton could; whether sh,
would-ah! that was question.
"You see," said Lex, '.Dana mightn't
like it. And if she don't care, WHY
he mightn't like it. / wouldn't in hi.
place"
.'HeP Who?' asked Launt, with ,
sudden pang.
Gordon Marquis. to be sure. Be
cause you went off and left her is nc
reason why all the rest of the world
should do the same. Ibelieve he think:
all the more of her since she has beer
in trouble; and he befriended Aunt
Rose-or do you know about that?''
81 know nothing replied Launt, q
blush pallor coming about his lips.
"Be kind enough to tell me, will you
not?''
Lex did. She dwelt upon Gordon's
faithful friendship. and upon the serv-
ices he had rendered Mrs. Oliphant.
upon his devotion to Dana and the lat
ter's gratitude.
"Any one with half an eye can see
what it's all coming to- concluded
Lex, land as to letting you go and
IL L
know that | have any right
Il will not ask it of you," Launt an
swered, rising. Twill go to him my
SELF
Go TO the rival who had won or would
win what he had lost! There were bit
| terness and humiliation in the thought,
| but it would be easier to learn the truth
from him than from Dana herself.
On the following day he presented
himself at the New York studio. Mr..
Marquis was not there. His pictures
were, suggested the art-student who
had been left in charge of the rooms,
and who fancied a possible patron in the
caller. There's his Modern Gree
Just done, which he has entered for the
academy. that a great many are coming
to look at. and here's In Fog which
is sold, and companion piece ordered.
If you are wanting anything in this line,
sir, don't think Marquis can be sur
passed"
Il am not wanting anything" Mr.
Harrington explained, and the officious-
ness of the student very naturally sub
sided. 1t was rather grievance to
him that the visitor should avail HIM
self of the permission given to examine
the pictures. "a Modern Gree! ="
Launt caught his breath at that 1t
was the picture of a fashionably dressed
girl standing on the sea-shore with the
soft light of evening falling over her
upon the dimpling water and yellow
sands. and touching more family the
masculine figure which was striding
away in the distance, with head bent
down. You knew inst;nctively that he
had put the all-important question. and
had for his answer, "No.' There was
no shadow of sorrow or regret upon the
face of the modern Gree The bright
eyes were full of exultant light, soft
smile fingered on the perfect lips; YOU
knew at once that she was thinking of
some one else who filled her whole
heart-some one who had driven AWAY
every remembrance of the disap-
pointed individual who had put
his fate to the touch and lost
all. No lovely monster, this-"with
face Seraphic fair and heart of stone"
but bright and pretty girl, who is
careless of the love which is offered her.
because she already has what she prizes
more. And the girl is Dana-Dana as
he has seen her hundred times with
that very love-light shining up at him
from her matchless eyes. She had
looked like this at Shoreden. before sor-
row touched her Could it be that she
looked like it still. and that the look
was for another? The mans face was
turned away, but the figure looked
STRONGLY like his own
''Can you tell me where Mr.. Marquis
may be found?"
The student threw streak of car
looked up.
He might be found at Riverton, per-
haps. He takes the one o'clock train
there
At Riverton, Launt knew the name
His mind instantly connected that trag-
edy of the past which had occurred
there with possibility of the present.
He glanced at his watch. 1t was quar-
ter to one. hardly time TO catch the
train. but he left the studio with rush.
hailed passing cab. and was driven to
the depot. reaching it just in time.
1t was five o'clock of the same dav.
and dismal March afternoon. There
had been a drilling rain falling until
an hour ago, and the leaden sky prom
iSed more to come: the straight road
which led into the little town was in a
horrible state to contemplate. A thin
yellow ooze of mud and water filed the
and the foot-path was scarcely
better.
Not a creature was visible as far as
she could see, when Miss French came
out of the school-house and locked the |
door behind her She had staid to |
make out her monthly report after dis |
her pupils, and the early shades |
were already gathering as she started |
upon her walk to the village. Straight |
on through wet and slop, for there was
no avoiding the frequent mud-puddles |
in the path, until she came to the little
cemetery, turning there to make her
daily pilgrimage to that lonely grove
within.
Lonely and isolated still. Mrs.
Oliphant had been laid at rest beside |
the husband whose name she bore Lex
had come forward and insisted upon
bearing the expense of the funeral
With all honors, therefore. dust had
been committed to dust, and a costly
was raised above the two
whom death had reunited !
Lex would have kept Dana if she
could She used all her powers of per-
suasion TO that end. but Dana would not
De persuaded. 1t was better to work:
better to drown grief in the weary tread
mill which left her no time for its in
diligence. so she had come back to
Riverton and taken up her task, and
life looked very long before her.
1t need not have seemed either so
ono or so lonely There WAS one who