Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-15

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
WHO WAS MAUD MILLER ?
BY VICTOR VERNON.
PART I.
IN THE STUDIO.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ~.
The picture was finished.
It was with something like thrill 0
pain that Manuel, having put his last touch
laid palette and brushes aside, and stoot
back to contemplate the final effect Of nj
work.
It was a work that had wrought itsel
into his daily life, and become a part, as
were, of his very being. With its cessation
q blank fell upon him. Until now, thl
cherished creation had seemed his owl
property, to do with as he would: But nov
this right of possession had gone from him
the picture was his no longer. Soon pro
fame hands would bear it away out OF nj
sight, handling it roughly, perhaps, hustlinl
it down the narrow stairway like any othe
package of goods; and his studio would bt
desolate.
Yet not quite desolate; for in his leisure
moments he had painted, by stealth, a faith
full copy of the lovely head. Only the head
on small canvas that he could carry
with him wherever he should 60. That, a
least, was his very own, and no man coulc
take it from him.
Sir Gregory came alone to look at tht
picture, after its completion. Manuel OBJ
served a change in him, on this occasion
which he could not define. His dress wa:
a trifle careless. His manner was some
what abrupt; and his glance wandered oc
casionally as he talked, as though MI
thoughts were not wholly centered on the
object of his visit.
HIfyou will call at my house, Mr.. Rivers
--0ne dav next week-say Wednesday-oI
Friday. perhaps, would be better; 'yes
Wen say Friday-I'll have checque, e,mads
out on my banker for you. presume thai
will be satisfactory"
"Pefectly so, Sir Gregory" !
eyes. And-ah-you'll send up the pic
ture, of course. I'll have some men to come
round after it, tomorrow or next day.
Perhaps YOU will kindly superintend the
packing of it. 1t should be done with
great care"
Manuel promised to attend faithfully to
the business.
"Thank you. That's all, 1 believe. We'll,
I've had some agreeable hours in your
studio, Mr.. Rivers-very agreeable. an,
sorry to bring our intercourse to an end
but the best of friends must part"
ssSir Gregory" said Manuel speaking ina
straightforward way, though he felt him.
self coloring, "have I your permission 70
call at your house, after our business con-
nection has ceased? have a special reason
for wishing to do So"
The baronet looked hard at him for a
moment. He met the gaze openly.
eyes" said Sir Gregory, after brie1
pause. "You may. I shall be happy t
receive YOU" :.
Manuel bowed, his heart leaping high
1t had cost him much to ask the favor but
he had much at stake. He believed him
self sure of Maud's regard. Her looks, hel
tones, had seemed to tell him, from time t.
time, that his hopes were not vain, and be
meant to play the lover openly, that 1t might
never be said of him that he had crept inic
her heart by stealth, and against her fathers
will. Once admitted, as friend and equal
into Sir Gregory's household, they should
find that he laid claim to this equality on nc
false grounds, but he chose to gain admit.
tance on his own merits alone.
All the next day, he watched for the CON.
ing of the messengers who were to bear hi:
treasure away, but they did not appear
Another day passed, and yet another, ald
still no one came.
It was a respite he had not hoped for
He could still wake up in the morning ald
see the fair image that he loved, standing In
its sweet girlish stateliness and tenders rgrae
before him.
A whole week glided away, and Frid,y
came-the dav appointed for him to call Or
Sir Gregory.
He was reluctant to go on his errand. Ee
would rather the baronet had sought hir
out and paid him for his work, than that le
should be obliged to 60 in quest OF the MOI
ey. 1t did not seem to him as If monty
were in any way connected with the transE
ton. He wished he could have put til
thought of it altogether away from him.
However, he had made the appointmel
and must keep it; and at three O'Clock pun
tually he found himself standing on Il,
marble steps of handsome mansion th
had strangely shut up and deserted loos
He rans>several times; NOBODY camel
the door.
Presently policeman sauntered b.
Manuel ran down the steps and accostt
him.
Can you tell me whether this is Sir Gre,
ory Barnett's house," he asked. :
ut was" replied the policeman. "Hf
gone away"
"Gone away! Where?" J
81 don't know, Pm sure. Can't yol
make anybody inside hear you?"
''It seems not" said Manuel, beWllderel
81 have rung repeatedly"
"The policeman assembled the steps att
gave the bell vigorous pull.
"There aras an old woman IN mere, til
morning." he remarked as ne did 50, witt
backward glance over ms shouldel
May US SllS Ouls VI NNSsA'
Another tremendous pull resulted in tn
shuttle of feet inside, and an uncertain
fumbling at the door latch. And PRESENT.
the door was partly opened, disclosing tn
figure of very untidy old person with
checked handkerchief bound around be
head, and broom in her hand.
''Is anything the natter" she grunb
lingly asked.
'Matterw repeated the policeman. 9Th
matter is that this gentleman has been ty
ing for half an hour to make somebody hea
him."
''It bent my business to come to the dool
BELL" said the woman, in the same crs
tone. "Pm cleaning up; that's what p
here for"
"What's become of the family?'
"What family"
''Sir Gregory Barnett's." /
81 don't know nothing about 'em.
never worked for 'em. The landlord Sr
IN n hnnca