The Indianapolis journal., 1885-09-13

was, she could reflect fully on what an answer to
hrs letter must mean-alienation OF all her
friends-an end of social ambition-many years.
If not a lfe of poverty. Eugenia shuddered as
she thought of the consequences, and wished
that she and Gerald had never met. She wished,
moreover. that the temptations OF rank and
wealth held out by her other suitor were less.
What would Gerald do if his letter was not
answered. If she could but persuade herself
that her brothers estimate of his character was
/ the right one Possibly it might be-James
knew mankind WELL 1t she could but think SO
could believe that Gerald would forget-she
might then find IT easier to be wise, and, by
taking him at his word, save herself and per-
naps him from what must insure unhappiness.
She was no heroine of romance. She WAS not
one who could lightly defy the world or despise
what the world values Gerald's fervent imper-
uoslty had won her love- but she had always
blamed him for winning it. Now, if she could
BRING herself to tread it, an easy. simple road to
freedom was open.
So she reasoned-so she excused her half
medltated treason-so she persuaded herself it
would eventually be better for both If they part
ed Yet all the while she knew she loved Gerald
Leigh as she could love no other man. In this
mental conflict the day passed, and night found
the letter unanswered.
The first step-the step which cost-had been
taken. Another and another day passed, and
the letter was still unanswered Then James
Herbert came to her.
"Eugenia, have you replied to that iettera"
She shook her head.
Give it to me-, he said.
She did So 1t was relief to get rid of it He
tore 1T into fragments
There" he said. II knew could trust your
good sense. There is an end of tho affair. 1t
is secret between you and me, and l shall
never again allude to it,"
For good or i'll, the die was cast. She had
freed herself But she left the room with
swimming eyes, and went to Mrs Cathcart.
& ha cd Itvxyi1l +alyn ohrNo
for a long time?"
1t was hard for Mrs. Cathcart to be called
upon to give up the rest of the London season.
But then Mr.. Herbert's recent death prevented
her going out much. and it was paramount that
Eugenias future should be satisfactorily disposed
of. So the excellent woman sacrificed herself
at once.
II will take you abroad, Eugenia, if you will
promise to be Sir Ralph's wife"
Eugena had chosen her own path, and knew
where 1t would lead; yet for very shame she
would not show her thoughts to Others
Il can promise nothing" she said 'Take me
away"
Three days afterward, Gerald Leigh learned
that Eueenia had gone abroad with her aunt.
He knew that all hope went with her. He was
like man distracted He even called upon
James Herbert, and had the satisfaction of hear
ing from that gentleman's own lips that his SIS
ter, and Gerald's love, was as good as betrothed
to Sir Ralph Norgate. This news did not seem
to aIIect him much; perhaps he anticipated some
thing of the kind
Although in his studio all day long, the sculp-
tor did no work for weeks. At last he aroused
himself engaged a model, and set to work with
feverish energy. From morn to night he
thumbed and pushed about the ductile clay. He
laughed in sort of bitter triumph His hands
h.d not lost their cunning. The work grew and
grew apace until the clay was done with, and a
fair white block of marble stood in the center of
the studio, waiting to be hewn into the statue
which was to be Gerald Leigh's first high bid for
fame.