Smyrna times., 1886-01-20
Fame Versus Love.

sCrOngS npS she arose from her seat-an
old overturned boat-and moved slowly
toward the waters edge.
For q moment her companion-a
man of perhaps twenty-fve-hesitated
then he joined her, repeating:
cit cannot be, Helen? Surely you
are not in earnest. You love me-have
you not said it P and yet you refuse to
become my wife!"
edwin, +"
"You did not mean it, " quickly inter-
rupted Edwin Bennett, adding: "Come
darling, why should we not be happy p
and he drew her hand within his arm.
For an instant she let it rest there,
then slowly but firmly she loOsened his
clasp, as she said:
For two years you and 1 have been
friends In that time did you ever
know me to change my mind after had
once decided upon anything?"
"No, but" answered her COM
panion quickly, while she, unheeding,
goes on with:
"YOu know the one great desire of
my life is to fame as an artist. Could 1
do this as your wife?"
why not, Helen? Would not do
anything in the world to help you ?"
came the proud answer, as Edwin Ben
nett bent his eyes fondly upon the fair
face beside him.
No, Edwin as a wife I could never
hope to attain fame. Marriage brings
to woman so many cares that there is
very little time left over for other work.
1 should not make you happy. l should
be constantly longing for my old, free
life"
"If that is all ] am not afraid to risk
my happiness, Helen" answered her
lover, more hopeful look lighting up
his handsome face.
"Think how for five years." con.
tinued Helen, Il have worked with the
one end III view. My home, You are
aware, has not been particularly agree
able. Uncle and aunt are kind in their
way, and have aways let me have my
will about painting, provided it did not
cost them anything. AS for love or
sympathy, you have seen how much
they have yielded me.
Seen and felt for you Helen, God
knows. And now that 1 will make your
life, if love can do it, one happy dream,
you will not and yet you do not deny
your love for me-
For a second Helen's eyes rested
longingly upon the face of the man who
loved her so dearly: then into their
dusky depths crept an intense, passion
ate longing, as they swept the horizon
and noted the glorious splendor of the
setting sun, while she exclaimed:
"Oh, Edwin If could only repro
duce that sunset just as it is If 1 only
could?"
With an impatient sigh he turned
away.
Always her art, never me; perhaps
she is right after ALL 1t would always
stand between us.
She, not noticing, went on with:
If it would only stay long enough
for me to catch those colors, but no, it is
fading now"
Turning, Helen found her companion
had left her side, and stood few yards
away,
edwin, she called.
In an instant he was beside her, every
thing forgotten, except that she was the
woman he loved.
II wanted to tell you how good Mr..
Hovey is. 1t seems he was acquainted
with poor papa years ago, when 1 was a
baby, and therefore feels quite inter-
ested in me. You have heard how he
praises my work, and last night he
proposed p
Proposed !" exclaimed Edwin Ben
nett hotly. "Why. you don't mean to
say the old man actually had the au-
dacity to ask you to marry himP"
How ridiculous. How could you
think of such thing ?" answered Helen,
a ripple Of laughter escaping from be-
tween her pretty teeth as she continued /:
No; he proposed, if were willing,
to send me to Italy for two years, he,
of course, defraying the greater part Of
the expense. He said when I became
famous could refund him the little
amount if wished Was it not gen.
srous of him9 just think, two years al
work among the old masters. What
could L not do then Il would be such a
help TO me- One can live very simplv
there. My little income would do. with
care, think"
And you would go?" AS Edwin
Bennett asked this question a look of
pain crossed his face.
" Why not !" came the reply as Helen
raised her eyes questioningly to bey
companion.
You say you love me and vet Won
would put the sea between us. Helen
wait ; ! will work hard and earn MONEY
enough to take us both abroad. Do vo-,
think | could deny you auything2 You
should paint TO your hearts content.
irom the old masters. or anything else
you pleased. SO long aa Won peya
! lnnrv II oI....T1 a.