Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-01-11

| ~
face; but, wrenching herself free, Cleo
replied mockingly--
"What marry you, Will Black?
II am not n dog to lick the hand that
has struck me.
"Marry you, and continue to be n
slave-a pensioner on your bounty?
"Neyerr'
Defiance rang through the girlish
voice, and without word or sign Will
liam Black, pale as death, turned away
and descended. to the stables, and, i'll n
few moments the rocky road around the
cliff resounded with the pounding of his
herse's hoof- beats.
Cleo Lynn knelt before her picture
offering up fervent prayer to Heaven
to sanctify it, then stood II minute bid
ding the dear old loft, where she had
spent the few happy moments of her
life. goodbye, and ran across the back
garden bareheaded. an unwonted bril-
iancy i'll her eyes, flush on her pi-
quaint elfish face, into the great, clear
odorous kitchen where Mrs. Black
awaited her, angrily, impatiently.
Take these pals and be off with you,
you lacy, careless"
"Madaml"
1t was Eot the tone nor the word that
made Mrs. Black Jump with slight
shrek, but the flash i'll the eyes that was
almost murderous, and SO out through
the glaring scorching noon sunshine
Cleo Lynn went-for the last time.
81 am so tired of this struggle for
fame and a crust of bread"
II thought long ere this to wear q
crown of laurel, but, instead, it is one
of thorns and cypress"
1t was poor room.
Every one mas seen such rooms in
squalid houses, without warmth, cheer,
comfort, though it was bitter weather.
"a woman's form Win arms Outtlung,
the gesture of despair, the same figure
last seen fitting across the hot dry
fields back of Mrs. Blacks farmhouse,
though thinner, more poorly clad.
Lifting her face at length against the
| grey streak of twilight at her one win
dow, the once round cheeks were thin,
the hair dishevelled. and the eyes
strained and unnatural in ex preston.
Destitute, frendless, almost blind. I"
Slipping her hand into her dress she
drew out vial of darkish fluid, holding
it up between the light and dim, dim,
vision.
There came sound of steps up the
rickety stair, then rap, firm, quick, at
her door.
Come -
The door swung wide, and man,
tall, mutfled in great coat, entered,
and half crossed the bare floor.
Rising, the girl leaned her clasped
hands on her chair waiting.
Miss Lee?"
She bowed her head. the white hands
suddenly clutchlng the chair-back, icy
cold.
81 saw one of your paintings at the
Academy and wish to purchase it, the
ole called the "Cow Boy"
"What are your terms?'
The girls voice as she made answer
was SO hoarse and unnatural that she
scarcely knew it herself.
"What you are willing to give, " lean
ing forward little in the dim light,
with numb chill fingers imterlaced,
while the tall naughty figure seemed
dancing wildly, undignifedly.
'"Three hundred dollars for the "Cow
Boy" or say SIX hundred dollars for
the two-"My Studio" as a surprise
| for my wife,
F'The room, the bed, the chair, every
thing swan wildly before her eyes.
''Sir you are liberal" was all she
| could murmur.
Counting out the roll of notes the
man handed them to her.
Then bowling and saying, as he gave
her a street number
"Order them to be sent around to
my house," he withdrew, and, as the
door closed behind him, Cleo Lynn
fell forward prone on the floor with the
bank notes clutched desperately in one
hand and shattered vial of dark fluid
in the other one
"Oh, Will, Will, and loved you SO,
yet was too proud, too hateful to con-
fess it even to myself"
'Oh, what madness has goaded me
on to my well earned miseryF"
1t was tastily- dressed figure in
grey cloak and hat that stepped out of
the rambling old stage in the village of
Grayson, passing swiftly toward the
dark ugly Black farmhouse.
The hail door was open that led INTO
the cool tidy parlor so well remembered,
and entering, the stranger beheld
mans figure bowed before table, his
head in his folded arms, while directly
above him hung a pretty rustic paint
ing, her wolk, under which stood q
glass of fresh-cut flowers.
Passing softly up, the girl laid her
hand on the bowed head tenderly,
timidly, on hair streaked with grey.
"Wnl"
The bowed head was lifted eagerly,
the black electric eyes seeming to
tighten as they rested on the fair face
before him.
"Little Cleo!'
"You-back here again?" and he
trembled as he spoke.
81 have come back to the old home
to see you all once more"
81 have won fame, and shall win
wealth, for the money you gave me, in
the hour of my deepest despair, lifted
me into prosperity.
81 owe it all to you"
81 do not understand, be replied
dreamily.
81 only know you are back again
when l never thoug ht to see you here
more"
| (llaO IooEo1 xuiotf,,1I1 orOuDJ oo - Io