The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-14

A THOUSAND POUNDS.
A STORY BY PHILIP BoURKE MARsToN.
PART II.


for which she drank copiously of strong tea.
Very early in the evening she undressed and
went to bed, and being unhappy and wakeful.
took novel to read herself sleepy. That was
the woman's way of getting sleep. as Reginald's
had been the mans. She will never forget that
evening. Forever the novel she read then viii
we associated with her trouble. Roses stood on
her dressing table. She will "never again be
friends with roses!'
The feet of the ssers-by. as from her bed she
could hear them, seemed to be treading into her
brain. At length the book grew indistinct to
her sight. she blew out the candle and slept
The next morning Reginald awoke weary; his
head throbbed, and his tongue Glove to the roof
of his mouth He took a bath and put on fresh
clothes. His work awaited him and he began
upon ii. So he made up his mind to face the
life which lay before him. The next day he
commenced painting his first large oil picture.
Tho weeks went by, and brought one specially
hot July day-one of those real sweltering days
on which London is absolutely unbearable, one
of those days in which the sun seems to have
burnt up the very sources of the winds, day to
make all the London odors painfully manifest.
ncslualu lLOuBHuTSC WAS working away Id Ills
shirt-sleeves, pipe in his mouth and jug of
beer by his side, thinking that if any money
were his he would fly from London, and some
where within sight and sound Of the sea, would
rest his weary brain and his yet wearier heart
when the studio bell rang sharply; he opened
the door and admitted Edward Fullerton and
little sharp-nosed man, introduced by Fullerton
as
My friend, Harry Jones, who loves art, and
whatever is distinctly preciousl"
Longhurst did the honors of the studio as we'll
as the hot weather would allow Mr. Jones
asked the price of a small drawing With not
the least expectation Of selling it, and hardly
knowing what he was saying Reginald put a
price upon it which was far in excess of its value
He was, therefore, quite thunderstruck by Mr..
Harry Joness making himself the possessor of
the picture
IT like your touch. Mr. Longhurst," said that
gentleman, "and like your choice of subject.
hope we may have many more transactions of
this kind. I'll look in again some day this week
if may. Just now I'm rather pressed for time.
Good morning, and many thanks
So saying he withdrew himself. and Long
hurst drained off his beer. washed his hands, as
sumed his coat, and took the train some miles
out into the country. Getting back late to town
he dined we'll for man whose dinner was often
no more than bread and cheese. Besides tasting
good food he had tasted pure air, and he had
heard the nightingales. Fortune in one way, at
least seemed to be turning her wheel in his d.
srection. Two or three days afterwards he had
another visit from Mr.. JONES' who bought with
most lavish hand, and talked of a commission
for the great picture. Now more prudent man
would have harbored his resources; but Reginald
had only one idea which was to go to Italy, SO
that autumn, being now rich to the amount of
1900, he started FOR Florence, taking his big
picture with him. He returned in March, having
all but completed it, also. he brought with him
many small paintings and drawings. which found
an eager purchaser in the highly appreciative
Mr. Harry Jones.
WELL" said Reginald, when he had displayed
his picture to his friend Fullerton, what say
you3 You are my first critic"
'ReallyP
Really
success"
"Reginald's pale face flushed with pleasure
for Fullerton was known to be first-rate judge
of pictures.
II hope Jones will bid for it," went on Regi-
;nald looking at the picture lovingly. "It's
something wonderful. the way in which he buys
up all dol But what the devil, Fullerton, are
you smiling at so? Because you think he gets
lot of trashl"
well, he certainly does get some amount
Of it"
"But that was not the points"
mo-"
well, then, what was it7' and Longhurst
flushed almost painfully, as isshe won't of sensi-
tive people when they fancy they have somehow
made themselves ridiculous.
"Our FRIEND rejoined Fullerton, knows no
more aboutit than cat"
But, all the same, he buys"
mo, he does not"
Once again, what do you mean! ! didn't
know you went in for mysteries
Il go in for no mysteries repeat, that he
does not buy the paintings. He is but acting for
someone else who is the real purchaser. Is there
anything mysterious in that2"
do you know who the person is7n
uo, anu .Aougn Was enJOlne0 TO secrecy,
as was my informant half think that you ought
to know, as to know it might change your life
happily. The purchaser, then, is no other than
Miss Rose Bellward."
'Impossiblev answered Reginald miss Bell
ward is not rich"
WAS notl' reioined Fullerton, "but Is I'm
expected fortune left her-or something of that
kind-didn't pay much attention, but heard the
facts. Really, old boy, she must be very fond Of
you still.n
Wait minute" said Longhurst; and for
many minutes there was silence between them
Reelsalds face had grown white as death and
his aps quivered. When he spoke, his voice
sounded hard and strange. He began:
Fullerton, we have been friends for some
time nsyl"