Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-08-23
PRIDE, PASSION And Gv?!?l.Y,
Oh
THE FORTUNES OF A HUNTED
HEIRESS.
CHAPTER V.

MRS. MARKHAM is SURPRISED AT WHAT SHE
LEARNS OF KATHERINE DILLON. THE
PAINTERS STUDIO.
The change, though gradual, in the
health and personal appearance Of Kate
Dillon, became more and more apparent 7;
even the servants, whom she encountered
now and then took notice of it, and spoke
of it to Mrs. Markham, who only replied
that it was no more than natural.
"What can you expect, she would say,
"When she confines herself entirely to her
room, not even taking a walk in the
grounds, than which, there are none
more exclusive. Why, she won't even
walk down to the dining-rooms; the fact
is Kate is sulky, l suggested to her, but
yesterday to ride out with Mr.. Walter,
and do you know she said she had not the
least desire to. i also spoke of sending
for DIR. Bennington-but she would have
none of HMM fact, L do not know what
i can do for the girl know that she is
moping her life away, but what can one
doY" and the servants echoed, 'Yes, what
can one do-indeed"
Her cousin Walter was seldom at home,
though this fact was not known TO Kate,
and even if it had been, it is hardly prob
able that she would have run the risk of
encountering him, as he might come upon
her at any moment.
Kate knew herself that she was not
well; but as she felt no sickness, only a
strange lassitude, which she attributed to
laZiness and the warm weather., she took
no heed of the pallor of her cheeks, but
lay back day after day in her easy chair,
gazing from the window and wondering at
the emptiness of her life, and where it all
would end!
She was sitting thus one day when
knock sounded on the door and Mrs.
Markham entered.
Kate received her with languid smile,
even rose up and offered her chair, and
Martha noticed that she actually seemed
pleased at her presence.
81 haven't seen you for long time, Mrs.
Markham-where have you beenf'
''At home continually, my dear; but it's
no wonder you've not seen me-you keep
yourself so closely confined to your apart
ments. You will iujure your health my
dear, If you continue this mode of exist
ence much longer"
''Oh, i am very well--you sec / keep
myself occupied" pointing to nearly
completed picture ON the easel, in her
painting- room, the door of winch was
wide open. 'Come and look Mt it, and tell
me if you admire it, and the fair girl
arose and led the way into the studio,
where number of paintings finished and
unfinished were laying against the walls.
1t was an odd looking place that which
Mrs. Markham entered. number OF
models in plaster were scattered about the
apartment, and ON the magnificent paint
ed walls were hung some rare gems OF art
which had been presented to her by
friends who had picked them up in their
European tours.
On long table lay pallets and brushes
in great abundance, and squeezed color
TASKS were scattered about amid shreds
of canvas and bits of pasteboards, cover
ed on both sides with strange and well ex-
ecuted designs.
Books of designs of rare value, foreign
photographs, and well-thumbed works
of art gave indications that the Queen OF
the studio was an industrious student
and the completed paintings, scores OF
which lay about against the walls, tables
on the floor, and piled together in the diff
ferent corners of the large and pleasant
apartment.
To say that Mrs. Markham was astound.
ed as she witnessed these evidences Of
Kate Dillon's wonderful skill with the
brush and pencil, would, by no means
convey the feelings with which she looked
about.
This woman, though only n housekeep
er, was no mean judge Of art. She had
been i'm houses which contained some o.
the best paintings in the land, and had
frequented many galleries of art, where
time and taste could well be cultivated
so that when she gazed upon the scattered
efforts of Kate Dillon's genius, she could
hardly realize that this was the girl whose
sciN she was gradually undermining, ant
whose determined nature she had so de
liberately planned to destroy.
One after another she examined thu
beautiful landscapes natural and ideal, al
the fair girl exhibited them, giving ven
TO enthusiastic expressions Of surpris'
and delight.
One after another she looked at mill
and stream and tree-at mountain scenes
at valleys fair and tinted skies; at fair,
cottage and rugged farmhouse, with her
and there the portrait of some dear ant
far away school-friend-each picture onl,
adding to her surprise and delight
at length she could contain herself n
longer
swhy, my dear, you have true geniu
for art--these paintings are worth hun
dreds of dollars--with n reputation be
hind they would he worth thousands--yo,
have indeed wonderful genius" The rs
tonished dame gazed at her with eye
shining with admiration, and, for the time