The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-11

yS~ Aot UHunAuS1 an oStteT now" He tried to rise, but his head swam, and he was compelled to sit down again. cannot manage it yet, must wait a little, ]" he continued, with ghastly smile; "I am really quite ashamed of making such an exhibition of myself. have had a good deal of worry and anx- iety lately II suppose that is the reason am easily upset"
 hope you do not think us rude for speaking to you indeed, we feared, from your appearance, that you were either ill or in some great trouble and we thought that even our weak assistance and sym. pathy might be of some service"
 @You are very kind," he answered, with feeble attempt at cheerfulness. 7" The fact is, have made most absurd mistake; have bean right through the rooms, and have evidently looked care lessly, for have missed my picture. For the mo n ent 1t gave me quite turn when found it was not in the last room.n
 But arc you sure it is here at allr asked the more thoughtiess of the two girls.
 Of course 1t is here somewhere. My vanishing ticket, inviting me to inspect 1t to-day, came on Saturday. must have overlooked it like fool; there is nothing impossible in that, suppose3"
 "Oh, no, of course there is not, ;" replied the girl soothingly; Cit was very foolish for me to think of such a thing, please forgive me-"
 It is l that ought to ask forgiveness for my rudeness in answering you so hastily ; pray, believe 1 am not usually such bear"
 He looked wistfully at them for a mo. ment, and then continued with pathetic assumption ot confidence that wrung their hearts:
 Perhaps, after all, you can help me. You have been through the rooms, have you notr
 Yes" they answered, with fatal fear of what was coming.
 "Then probably you have seen my picture, for it is rather large, even for these walls. If you could tell me where 1t is, you might save me a good deal of time, and am most anxious to get home to my wife, who will think have been very long bringing her my news" he added simply,
 What is the subject of your picture z" inquired one of them, her voice trembling ia spite of her.
 |" call it 'Aphrodite,' and it repre- sents woman in silvery, transparent drapery, wandering on the shore the background is a quiet moonlit sea. The figure is life size"
 His great eyes seemed preternaturally large, as he waited in piteous anxiety for their answer.
 !" am afraid l have not noticed it: have you, Alice9"
 have been with you all the time, you know, Lucy" she answered reproach. fully; " but we very likely might not see 1t if 1t should not happen to be we'll hung.n
 He put his hand quickly to his face, but not quickly enough to conceal from them the quivering of his poor pale lips.
 Thank you very much must really apologize for troubling you with my con. cerns. feel better now" (he stood up). so will begin my search again."
 He raised his hat and was turning away, when Alice, with an irresistible im- pulse, and brimming over with compass sion, stretched out her hand to him. He took the kind young hand in his. "Thank you" he said simply, and went from them. WhH Alice, dear, what can you be of77
 "l don't know, Lucy. Get me away rom here quick into some quiet corner if don't cry, think my heart will break shall never get his face out of my mind"
 ." But 1t may be all right, dear," urged Lucy. alarmed for her companion, and hnrrying her away.
 It will not! It will not lfeel it will notF' cried the other hysterically, and al- most before they had gained the solitude of the long dark passages leading to the academy schools, she had broken down in painful sobs.
 From the first room, into the second. and so on through all the dreary number. ae passed, his steps wavering and his pr ain reeling. He was noticed again by many, and all fell back appalled,, ss he pushed his way blindly among them.
 Great heaven !! What has happened o the young fellow ?" thought Feiton, as le met him coming out of the eleventh l 'oom. His eyes were glaring, and his | ips were parted; great drops of agony were pouring down his face, and his neck | 10th was disarranged, while each breath | vas drawn with a great panting sob.
 Felton followed him, and came up with | Jim just as he approached the porter who | lad taken his ticket when he entered the building.
 "Where Is my picture ?" he dem anded. D hoarse, breathless voice.
 "I cannot say, l am sure, sir" the man | ms wered, looking frightened.
 Then who can tell meS will know: wiii not leave this place until am sat. s6ed."
 By this time small knot of people had round them."
 Are you an exhibitor, sir2 Have you eceived a vanishing ticket?'
 "You know have; gave it to you this morning." he answered violently.
 "l see so many faces cannot remem- lungP ?"
 "Am sure9 Great Godl Am ure3 It is not hung but it shall be be- ore stir from here; my wife and child N. |