Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-02

Cont bulred out like fat pigeons
hrs.st. ana tho coral studs were too
n,ominent; the hands were not well
PAINTED. but the carbuncle ring was .
triumph Of skill.
when Mr.. Cameron appeared again
f.nc;ed he looked thinner and paler.
I thanked him for the bouquet.
{" All, lassie, no moro thanks. 1t
has been real happiness. l wish you
would accept flowers from me every
morning. / long to do something that
might give you pleasure. ! don't really
know what am to do when this por-
trait is over"
{" You astonish me, Mr.. Cameron, in
,eeIettipg the sittings are over. Most
people consider sitting for portrait
such bore"
..Ab. no; not to charming young
gifted creature like you. You must re.
member | am q lonely old man, and
seldom find my way into the society OF
yourg ladies'"
"Would you like another peep at
,our portrait?" said rather brusquely,
for wished to put an end to the per-
sonal turn the conversation was taking.
..You have hattered me-" he re.
marked. after looking at my perform.
ance for few seconds in silence; "but
never mind that. like to think that
vou have cen me in such kindly light"
"Shall / sing for you, Mr.. Came
ron? You have sat long enough for me
to-day"
Iwent to the piano, and while | was
looking for some music in the rack MIR.
Cameron sat down on the music-stool.
"Are you going to play for me?" ]
asked, smiling at him. IL should like
TO hear you so much"
lie did not answer, but turned round
and round on the stool, hopping the
perspiration from his face with scar
let handkerchief. There was queer
expression in his face; evidently he
was suffering from a severe attack Of
nervousness.
lie whirled round and round like a
teetotum, the stool creaked and groaned
under his heavy weight, his eyes were
wild and rolled about fearfully; Iheard
his voice, but it was so husky | could
barely distinguish the following words ::
81 am a lonely, elderly man, but
that is no reason why should not have
a heart, and must tell you that -
now the stool gave tremendous
soueak-"I love you-yes | do. Will
YOU give me some hope?" A loud
knock at the front door.
"Oh, Mr.. Cameron, please don't say
anything more on this subject; it is
really too painful ~; but before could
say another word Mr.. Cameron was
| SPRAYING on the floor; the stool had
given way. Harold walked in and we
we're locked in each others arms, but
| disengsged myself quickly.
"Oh, Mr.. Cameron, | am so sorry
Are you hurt? lie has been sitting for
his portrait, Harold" gasped out.
Harold, who was a very shy young
man, colored up; he had not noticed
the PROSTATE form almost lying at my
feet.
"Oh, allow me to help you; the stool
has given way, see," exclaimed Ha-
rold.
| could not look at Mr.. Cameron, for
| felt how wretchedly i'll at ease he
must be.
81 am little faint" he muttered,
setting up, "but the fresh air will SET
me up. | am golng-where is my hat? u
saw the hat be had put it OH the
coal scuttle. Evidently he did not know
what be was doing.
"Oh, Mr.. Cameron, don't 60 yet, y
said you have had shake. This
music-stool is not in good order. | am
so sorry: do stay little longer.
"No, must go now, Miss Ward,
have staid too long; but allow me to
congratulate you on your good luck, >
addressing Harold.
While his back was turned rescued
his hat from the coal-scuttle.
"Now, Mr.. Cameron, here is youl
hat, but | won't give it to you till YOU
tell me when you will kindly come fol
one more sitting, for have not done
Justice to your expression. lie ha'
been such a patient sitter" | re
marked, speaking to Harold. AR
we not friends. Mr.. Cameron"
"God bless you both wish 20,
every happiness" and before | knew
what be was about he pulled his ha
from my hand and was on the door
step.
| never told Harold, or indeed an
one, that Mr.. Cameron had proposed Il
me; felt grie'e and uneasy. Had
been guilty of iirting or misleading ii
any way that kindly man who was s.
lonely? l sincerely hoped he woul'
get some suitable, nice woman to be hi
wife. for was almost young enough Il
be his granddaughter.
A few days after this last episode
received the following note from Mr.
Cameron
Dear Miss Ward Il find that | mus
leave London Immediately. There i
TO necessity for me to give you anothe
sitting. as | am perfectly satisfied will
the portrait you have painted of me.
have ordered a Venetian frame ant
plate glass for it; the Trainer will cal
in a couple of days.
Please accept the inclosed check 70
elOO. l don't think eco could posi-
bly, repay you for the trouble and anxiet..
you have had, and as you are going t
be married little money is always use
full. If you should have time to spar
| should much like you to accept an
other commission for me. e., dupli
cate of the picture you were copying o
the National Gallery when | first me
you; l should like to have it for IN
drawing-room in Scotland. With m
best wishes for your welfare, yours sir
cerely, DONALD CAMERON.
Isent the copy of Andrea del Sart
to Mr.. Cameron. Three months late
/ was married to Harold, and we wer
to live in q pretty villagein Devonshir'
The money l earned from Mr.. Camera
was certainly help, but it is ever wit
q mixture of pleasure and pain thin