The Iola register., 1883-06-22

SeaUeU DclOIV Ouc VI the Wl1uUNs, Will
book in her hand, but was much more
interested in the well-dressed ladies and
gentlemen passing without.
Alexia had been accepted quite as
one d The family ). and she felt at home
alrea3 hAihl te AuAFious surround
ihgs @ Mfhl lM had longeal hnl hel
The May sunshine was at its brightest.
and the toilets she regarded with crit
ical eyes were resplendent with the pale
tints Of spring.
'And You have new dresses to show
off, too, suppose, Dana" she said d.with
an enyious sigh. ats awfully good
of youto stay in here with me. when you
might be out with the rest. You seem
to know good many people for having
been Here SO short a time. Aunt Rose
exchanged bows with nearly dozen
while she sat here, and as many more
have looked in since she went away"
''Admiring you, Alexia."
81 hope so. I'd rather be admired
from distance than not at all. Do you
60 anywhere. yet?"
''To church, and to drive in the park.
We were at one dinner, given by an old
friend of papa's."
AT which place did YOU make your
conquest?" asked Alexia, with mis-
chievous glance. 81 can't think he is
mine. He looks beyond me with those
dark, melancholy eyes of his, as if
were not the object of his search. 1t is
the third time he has passed, so am
not mistaken"
Ozark eyes?' said Dana, swift
flash of color flying up into her face.
!" A Young gentleman, Alexia' What
"Come over and see. He is going
again. disappointment marked on his
dOwncast brow. Either disappoint-
ment or dyspepsia" amended Alexia,
"rm not just sure which. Do come,
Dana, or you will be too Late
Dana. however, did not stir. 1t
can't be he" she thought. Il was silly
to think it.
She listened to her cousin half-dream-
ily after that. She was thinking of
that week in New York after they land
ed, when Launt Harrington had called
upon them daily at their hotel. when he
had chanced across their routes of
sightseeing, when the slightest encour-
agement would have made him one of
their number. but that encouragement
was never given.
:" Neither papa nor mamma were half
friendly to him." unused Dana. '.Not
half so friendly as they were to -"
"Mr. Gordon Marquisn'
The announcement fitted so appro-
priately into her thoughts. that she
found herself blushing guiltily under
his eyes.
"You see that I have availed myself
of your fathers invitation right speedi-
w." he said, as he shook hands. MY
sitter for the week had tic doloreaux,
and couldn't be painted with swelled
jaw. sOsI made my escape and availed
myself of the greatest pleasure which
was open to me. L shut up shop. stuck
a card on the door to inform my patrons
that would be back in ree.days. and
took the first train to-Paradise, may |
say?-Philadelphia and Paradise being
terms to me. Your father
and mother are quite well, trust?"
"Quite well," answered Dana, max
ing haste to introduce him to Alexia.
whose presence he scarcely seemed to
observe
Mrs. Oliphant came in at the moment,
Mr.. Oliphant made his appearance
later. and Mr.. Marquis staid to dinner,
staid for the evening, and made his
adieux as the clock struck eleven.
I'll come around in the morning
and talk over that matter of the por-
trait he said at parting. '.If you say
YOU want it done, Mr.. Oliphant, I'll
throw over all other engagements. and
stay 10 do it. There's nothing pressing
among them, nothing but can wait as
well as not"
Mr.. Olipkant was by no means anx-
ious to have his pictures perpetuated on
canvas, but his wife was. which amount
ed to the same thing. and Mr.. Marquis
received his commission for the portrait
on the following day.
''And for young lady who has had
so few chances, You have made remark
ably good use of your time said
us the girls talked together be-
fore retiring. 1.-TWO strings to your
bow within five weeks after you have
landed is doing very well.''
Il am not sure that have even one,
my dear Lex"
Il wouldn't fib,' said Lex. Dana
Oliphant, what a lucky girl you are.
You have everything to make you
happy; splendid home, indulgent
parents, lots of spending money, and a
devoted lover. If were disposed to
envy any one in this world, l would
envy YOU"
Everything TO make her happy? Yes,
surely she had. Yet Dana was not so
bright as perfectly happy girl ought
to be.
Mr.. Marquis lost no time in beginning
his work. He engaged corner in
friends studio,. vast, sky-lighted
apartment up innumerable flights of
stairs. but subdivided by screens and
curtains into more than one charming
and retired nook. Here Mr.. Oliphant
came, two mornings of each week. to
pose for his portrait, generally ac-
by some one of his woman
kind, oras sometimes happened all three
but whether one or all went,
Lex never failed.
She liked the glimpses of Bohemian
life which she caught in these morning
visits, but this was Bohemia with silken
curtains. and thick carpets. and plate
glass, and golden frames-the Bohemia
Of the successful genius, not of the strug-
Cling aspirant after fame. She liked to
get up an occasional Irritation with the
ong-haired art students who were con-
stantly dropping in. liked to dazzle
hem with her bright glances and fash
ng smiles.
The Ohphants were not in society,
put it was by their own choice. Old