Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-09-01

had let TALL the Hood OF her golden hair.
You look now just as il you had stepped
ont from some medieval castle with Iynn-
hoe. Ionll do. When can you sit?"
Oh. any time you wish, sir, and al
long.
IN the forenoon" And he named such lib
eral terms Of compensation that the visit
ful face frightened with delicious bloom
and color.
Y am 80 glad, Mr.. Seymour, that you
LIE me, Tor need the meney very much.
Yet, II seems as II You were paying me q
great deal"
Il pay according to the value Of n thing.
You are very beautiful. had dreamed OF
beauty like yours, but never thought Ia
see II. My Rosamond will be magnificent
shall look for you to- morrow at 3 o'clock
precisely, and, with an attempt to appear
very business like, "you will please be
prompt. am perfect despot as regards
punctuality.'
Shave no fear; will not keep You watt
aOh! had almost forgotten. What is
your name2"
"Barbara--Barbara Howth,n she an
swered, with queer little tremor in her
voice.
Perfect like yourself. Well, good
morning, Miss Howth," and the artist
turned to his brush and palate.
Barbara Howth, true to her word, made
her appearance at the time designated, and
Tor days and days thereafter, she iilnmined
the room with her beauty. Ralph felt an
inspiration even when he looked at her,
and as his Fair Rosamond grew on the cam
vas. the original grew dear to him, not
merely as his model, but as the one wo-
man who could guide and make happy his
life. But for long, long days, he never
told her this.
Miss Wilmot had come in once after he
had begun his work, carrying herself like
the queen she was. in her costume Of vel
vet satin, with soft white plume sweep
ing round the purple black hair, and ca
ressing the curve of her superb shoulders.
She was charmed with the progress he had
made, and the attitude of the model,
and she went away without one thought or
fear OF her rivals power.
For several weeks thereafter she did not
visit the studio, and Ralph had begun to
wonder at her absence, when one day the
post brought letter. lie smiled as he
recognized the elegant hand writing.
Opening the envelope he read:
DEAR Mr. SEYMoUR:--Have you missed me?
am so sorry l had to leave before "Fair Rosa
mond" was finished But mother was not
well, and we left the city earlier than usual
Newport is beginning to wake up, and coon
society will be in its gay whirl here, | am,
woman-like, wasting time and strength on
peurile things, while yon are struggling nobly
on works that will live Well, will not say
chi bono Do not pnt out your painting till
return. shall expect to see you by the last of
October.
With good wishes, your friend.
CATHIE WLLMoT
The letter pleased him, for its tone was
SO free and frank that he felt she wrote
only as a friend. He had half suspected
she loved him, but he was glad it was only
glad for his sake and for hers.
"She is noble woman and my true
friend" he said TO himself, al good and
true woman; there are few of them, but
she is one. She thinks of my labors even
in the whirl of her fashionable life. Well,
no strangers eye shall see ing masterpiece
till she hath seen it."
And when ut last the great painting was
when the last touch had been
given II, he turned it to tho wall in his
studio, for the sake of her who had in-
spired it.
The summer days passed quickly, and
the cool, frosty nights Of October brought
Miss Wilmot back to her city home. The
second after her return she visited Ealph's
studio. She went mp the stairway TO the
aforementioned room, and the rustic OF
her silken robes startled Ralph nj his work
After an exchange of civilities she walked
up to the painting and gazed with all her
heart ut its wonderful figures. And as she
looked her lips grew white and terrible
crept into the dark. despairing,
eyes. She elapsed her hands
over her heart and would have fallen had
not Ralphs strong arms been near
'What is it," he gasped. Miss Wilmot.
ire you illi"
at is nothing, Ralph-Mr. Seymour"
The answered, recovering herself. ~ sud-
len faintness, the room is close perhaps.
am better now.n
And what do you think of Queen
Eleanor and Fair Rosamondp" he asked,
linking only Of what she would say.
What do think?' with an eloquent
gesture. "Why, that it is grand. II will
make You famous. am SO glad for your
lake, Ralph, for love you
My God! what are you sayines" cried
he astonished artist. Miss Wilmot--
Sathie, are you mad2"
mo; but shall be if l 60 longer without
elling You my feelings" she answered,
sinking into chair. await, do not speak;
hear me out. have loved you from the
irst; you did not know it, but l tell it to
7ou now; and / feared lest you might think
ny wealth should stand between us. But
ell me truly, Ralph, now that You know
owe you, are you Qladf'
She raised her Cleopatra.like eyes to his,
md stretched out her white hands entreat-
ngly. And there was q great anguish in
lis face as he took one of the fair hands in
lis, and his voice trembled and shook Us if
he had stood at the grave of friend, us he
'aid
"Cathie, dear Miss Wilmot, would to
iod You had never told me this. shall
lever be happy again. l."
She grasped his shoulders with both
hand, and gave him glance that he never
orgot. "Then you cannot love me. You
ire not free. have spokent too late. Oh,
sod, that were dead" and she buried
Ter face in her hands while her form shook
ike sobbing child's.
"Cathel, forgive me. l would rather
lave died than wounded you, said Ralph,
ceiling that he must say something to
omiort her, and deeply hurt for her sor-
ow. "You are dear friend. l prize you
tightly. Forget this folly, and let us be
riends as of DID,"
"Oh, Ralph. | love you too deeply for
hat. 1t cannot, cannot be-"
She staggered to her feet, and went
cross the room 10 the picture. Her face
ras pale MS death, but the rigid lines about
Ter mouth were firm rs iron.
as 1t true Ralph, can it be that she won
our heart? Yet need not ask. You have
'ainted your heart into the canvas. The |
lght Of victory shines in that soft, fair
ace. And she could win you, when
At this moment the door opened, and into |
be sunlit room, making it seem still |
Fighter. came the golden haired model |
air Rosamond.
My wife!" exclaimed Ralph Seymour |
r0udly. introducing her.
Miss Wilmot grasped her hand and kissed |
er. "Iou are very sweet, and think you
re worthy Of him. He is noble and good, |
nay you both be very happy"
Without another word, without even say |
ng gcod-by, she went from the room.
aWhy, low strange she isr' exclaimed |