The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-06

face to the wall and died. Gerald had been sum-
moned but arrived too late to see his father alive
Perhaps it was as well it should be so; the farm
ers last moments being troubled ones. and full
of regret that Watercress Farm would no longer
know Leigh. The nephew who had taken
Geralds place had turned out an utter failure: so
much so that Abraham Leigh had roundly de-
rlared he would DO bothered with no more boys
and for the last few years had managed his bust
ness single-handed. However, although Ger
AIDS upheaval of family traditions made the
farmers deathbed unhappy. he showed that his
son had not forfeited his love. All he possessed,
some three thousand pounds was left to him.
Mr.. Herbert took the lease of the farm off the
young mans hands; by and by the live and
dead stock were sold off, and Watercress Farm
was waiting for another tenant
The winding-up of his fathers affairs kept
Gerald in the neighborhood for some weeks, and
when it became known that Mr. Herbert had
insisted upon his taking up his quarters at the
hall, the simple Coombe-Acton folks were
stricken with great wonder Knowing nothing
minds we're much exercised by such an unheard
of proceeding. What had Jerry Leigh been
doing in the last seven years to merit such a
distinction.
Nothing his agricultural friends could have
understood. After picking up the rudiments of
his art in a well-known sculptor's studio, young
Leigh had been sent to study in the schools at
Paris. Mr.. Herbert told him that, so far as his
art was concerned, Paris was the workshop of
the world-Rome its bazaar and showroom. So
to Paris the boy went. He studied hard and
lived frugaIy. He won certain prizes and
medals, and was now looking forward to the
time when he must strike boldly for fame Even
new he was not quite unknown. couple of
modest but very beautiful studies in low relief
had appeared in last years exhibition, and, If
overlooked by the majority, had attracted the
notice of few whose praise was well worth
winning He was quite satisfied with the result
of his first attempt. In all things that concerned
his art he was wise and patient No sooner had
he placed his foot on the lowest step of the
ladder than he realized the amount of work to
be done-the technical skill to be acquired before
he could call himself a sculptor Even now,
after seven years study and labor, he had self
denial enough to resolve upon being pupil for
three years longer before he made his great effort
to place himself by the side of contemporary
sculptors Passionate and impulsive as was his
true nature, he could follow and WOO art with
that calm persistency and method which seems
to be the surest way of winning her smiles.
He is now mana sngularly handsome man
If not so tall as his youth promised, be is well
built and graceful-artist is stamped all over
him. Brow, eyes, even the slender. well-shaped
hands proclaim it. The general expression of
his face is one of calm and repose, yet an acute
observer might assert that, when the moment
came, that face might depict passions stronger
than those which sway most men.
His dark hair and eyes, and something in the
style of his dress gave him look not quite that
of an Englishman-a look that terribly vexed
poor Abraham Leigh on those rare occasions
when his erratic boy paid him visit; but new
ertheless, it is look not out of place on young
artist.
This is the kind of man Gerald Leigh has
grown into; and, whilst his transformation has
been in progress, Miss Eugenia Herbert has
become woman.
Although remembering every feature of the
child, who seemed in some way associated with
the day of his liberation Gerald had not agar
seen her until his fathers death called him
back to England. Each time he had visited
Coombe Acton he had, of course, reported prog
ress to Mr. Herbert but shortly after the
change in his life Mr. Herbert, by great effor,
of self denial had sent his darling away to
school, and at school she had always been when
Gerald called at the Hall. But now, when he
accepted Mr.. Herbert's hospitality, he found the
fairylke child grown, it seemed to him, into his
ideal woman; and found, moreover, that there
was passion so intense that even the love Of
art MUS! pale before it.
He made no attempt to resist it. He let i
master him. overwhelm him; sweep him along
Ere week had gone by, not only by looks bu
also IN burning words, he had told Eugenia b,
loved her. And how did he farel
His very audacity and disregard Of everything
save that he loved the girl. succeeded to a mar
vel Eugenia had already met with many ad
mirers, but not one like this. Such passionate
pleading, such fiery love, such vivid eloquenct
were strange and new to her. There was ar
originality, a freshness, thoroughness in the
love he offered her. His very unreasonableness
affected her reason. All the wealth of his imag
lnation-all the crystallizations OF his poetica
dreams, he threw into his passion. His ecstacy
whirled the girl from her mental feet-his
warmth created an answering warmth-bis reck
less pleading conquered She forgot obstacles
rs his eloquence overleapt them-she forgot so
eial distinctions as his great dark eyes looked
into hers, and at last she confessed she loved
him.
Then Gerald Leigh came down from the
clouds and realized what he had done. and as
soon as he touched the earth and became reason
able Eugenia fancied she did not care for him
quNe so much.
His conscience smote him. Not only must Mr..
Herbert be reckoned with. but a terrible interval
must elapse before he had fame and fortune to
lay before Eueenia He could scarcely expect
her 20 leave her luxurious home in order to live