Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-05-13
Gales aud Sketfhfs.
BRVSSELS LACE.

never forget 2s long a. Hvc- .uiAs %
pected disastrous ending to the tourney
but it has proved to be the beginning OF
happy, golden future for me- No wonder
pinch myself sometimes 10 see IL am
dreaming"
You are a lucky dogr' Tell US how
it all came about"
..Have another cigar. Jack. And you,
Teddy, tske that easy chair. Make your-
selves comfortable, and will tell YOU the
whole story.
II had been moping about IN Brussels
for a month or more. low in spirits, short
of money. and wanting in courage. The
art academy had refused admission to my
.Desdemona,' nv masterpiece. dashing
nv proud hopes to the ground, and leav-
ing me in despairing doubt as to my next
move. Atthis low ebb of nv affairs Rush
brooks letter came; have it in my pock-
ct at this moment. and will read 1t 10
shorten nv explanation"
DEAR LENox,-Old Morton and his
daughter wish To cross the Channel in
few davs, and need some one to look after
them on the way who in the world is
old Morton? And why can't he take care
of himself 20 hear you mentally eiacu-
late: but when | mention that the daugh-
ty at Cannes this season, you will read
the remainder of nv letter with more in
terest. The father is rather weak-mind-
ed old party. knows no language save his
native British, and gets iustered on
Journey. Though he would never ac-
knowledge il, he really needs some one 10
conduct him and his lovely daughter
through the heathenish regions lying be-
tween Frankfort and the seaboard.
mentioned casually that an English friend
of mine in Brussels-naming you, of
cour-e-was on the eve of departure for
London by the route that he, Mr.. Morton
had chosen The old fellow seized upon
the suggestion-rather to my surprise, as
he is a trife crusty and suspicious-and
asked if nv friend would join him on the
Journey. | declared unhesitatingly that
nothing would give you greater pleasure !;
and told the old gentleman that you were
to be found at the Hotel de France. Don't
| let this chance slip, my boy. Guide these
| helpless ones on their dangerous pilgrim
age. give them an idea of what Cheste-
! field you are in everyday life. together
with hint of what you can accomplish in
the studio. and you will win the hearts
of both father and daughter. Perhaps
| MISS WOulu Slt W INou loI HCi
portrait. and then your fortune would
be made. What are the small dis
comforts and expense of an unexpected
trip to London, compared with the lucky
possibilities 1t embraces? Be at the Hotel
de France by IL O'Clock tomorrow. Luck
is smiling on you land you will, L am sure,
make the best OF your opportunities.
Yours devotedly.
FRANK RUsHBROOK.
Had wished to decline this Office of
cicerone, Rushbrook left me but a very
small luophole for escape. Fortunately
the idea pleased me. and repaired to the
Hotel de France at the appointed hour.
II was ushered into the presence of Mr..
Morton and his daughter. and, though
was prepared to behold something little
less than divinity. my expectations fell
far short of the reality. In all the rose
bud garden of girls did not believe such
lovely flower blossomed as Elaine Nor
ton. Her pure profile. her hair so silky
soft. her bewitching brown eyes, and her
perfect figure are beyond description.
"Miss Morton was slightly fatigued. and
so, for her sake. we decided to rest a lit
tie in Brussels before resuming the jour-
ney to London. My new acquaintance
seemed amicably disposed toward me
Rushbrook must have drawn the long
bow when recommending me to their
favor-and together we visited the various
points of interest in the city, l in the
seventh heaven of delight at being allow
ed to walk the streets and sit upon the
shabby cushions of cab with Elaine
Morton, She was fascinating and pleas
Ing in manner as in looks; and my fate
was that of almost every man who had
| five minutes tete-a-tete with her-I fell
| desperately in love. OF course did not
expect her TO return my adoration-whv
should she? But there was at times
something in her smile and glance which
| | dared to hope was not bestowed upon
/ her other slaves.
| Naturally enough nv companions took
! it fer granted that knew Brussels like
book. and they turned to me for all man.
ner of information concerning the lions
of the place. Actually had been so de-
pressed and out of sorts in the Belgian
capital that my knowledge of the city was
very scant. did not like to confess this
ignorance. and frequently found myself
IN awkward predicaments, from which
weakly extricated myself at the expense
of truth. 1t was easy enough to humbug
the old gentleman; but had suspicion
that Miss Elaine did not share her fathers
trust in my statements, and the thought
was torture.
"As Elaine and were sauntering alone
one day along the Rue de Ia Madelaine.
looking into the very attractive shop win
dows, my fair companion suddenly said to
me-
II shall never know another moments
! happiness without
Without what? p | asked breathlessly.
wondering if it were within nv power to
| grant her very ardent wish.
| Five yards of that lace,'
"'Oh. yes-that piece with red and
blue scallops 1t IS beautiful
"No, indeed-not that coarse hideous
stuff fit only tor kitchen curtains mean
those festoons of lovely creamy white.
The design is forget-me-nots and roses
every stitch done by hand You see it
looks like the most delicate frost picture,
Il had never seen design in roses and
/ forget-me-nots executed by Jack Frost:
but agreed with her without hesitation.
Who would not have done so in nv
place?
o.. Il xr-,G l.