The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-05-30

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Lady steynham, was in favor Of tableaux,
and Paul Smith was specially called upon TO
decide between the ladies.
III feel my responsible position a. UMPIRE"
he was saying, adroitly deciding 10 please
both II possible. ~ should advise series
OF tableaux, Illustrating the progress Of art"
Lady Steynhsm looked delighted Lady
May disappointed, when Paul continued
"Concludfng with d costume ball. We
could start with, a classical subject, either
single figure or a group-say 'Pygmslicn
Preraph observation-disclosures, by Licinio, or
better still-'Monpa Lisa Medi mval Art
could be fairly shown by Albert Durer's
'Melauoholia,' whence Holbein, Vandyck,
and Rubens would gently lead TO the Eng.
lish School. Gsinsborough, Reynolds, q
Hogarth, perhaps, and so on to our own
period"
Lady steynham interrupted laughiugiy.
81 must veto the whole thing. Il Is too
long, too much, aud too artistic for the gem
eral public. As hostess, must consider my
guests."
ooh, auntp' Lady May observed, pits-
ously, while Paul looked annoyed.
"If you like 10 have, say one or two
tableaux as a lever de rideau, May shall have
her wish, and we will decide upon costume
BALL"
She addressed the last words 10 Paul, ad-
ding with a gracious smile 1--WE will put
up your large picture, the woman with the
red hair and the broken ornaments that
unfinished one that hangs in your studio"
"Willingly," replied Paul. "It will make
an excellent tableau. But who will sit for
the fair danef" As he put the question
vision rose before him Of the beautiful I'm
known.
at We could only get Lady somerville--
she has lust the shade Of red hair" said
May.
Lady Somerville," Paul inquired "who
Is she Years ago knew q brother Of Lord
Somerville; he died In India, or was II
Canadaf lie was an attache somewhere In
the frigid or the torrid zone"
TITS the same. He Inherited the title,
married, and died abroad. His wife was an
Australian, very rich all over diamonds
and nuggets. You must have met her she
Is very lovely" Lady May spoke with the
generous enthusiasm Of youth her aunt ad
ding as rider: "And not very young"
"She doesn't look more than twenty"
the young girl replied though of course
she is more. II only she would come, the
tableaux would be perfect. But you don't
know her, aunt"
"Silly child what has that to do with II
81 c'est impossible celia SO fera. Give me
another cup Of tea and don't trouble about
my affairs. undertake that Lady Somer-
Vile shall play the Beauty, aud Don Pablo
shall bs the Messenger. And don't lose your
heart, for hear she's engaged to Lord Dun.
can Glenholm." Paul assured the ladies
that he was arrow proof, with look and ex
preston that conveyed to his hearers that
they, individually, were his protecting pgis
from loves wiles. And having conveyed
the desired impression he left.
Lady Steynham succeeded In her aim.
She was introduced to Lady Somerville, and
she prevailed upon her to undertake part
in the tableaux; this was, however, only
upon condition that rehearsals were dis
pensed with, Lady Somerville requesting
. photograph Of the picture. In vain Lady
Steynham suggested q visit to the studio.
Lady Somerville declared "she hated artists,
as they expected 30 much Hattery and adula-
ton !" aud the Countess, only too happy TO
secure the Beauty, willingly acoeded to tie
terms she mentally voted oapricious.
Some days later, meeting Lady Somerville
at ball, she was delighted to present the
artist to her.
sLady Somerville, allow me to introduce
Mr.. Paul Smith; our collaboration, you
know, in the tableaux." Lady Somerville
acknowledged the introduction by slight
bow.
MAY havethe honor of the next valse p
Paul asked eagerly.
"Thank you, never valse." The answer
was not encouraging, and the tone still less
80, but the voice was wonderfully sweet.
"The next quadrille 7"
81 am engaged"
She shook her head and turned away.
'Hsve you no dance TO give me 2" heper.
sisted.
81 am afraid not, I" she answered carelessly
enough, smiling the while upon gentleman
ev identity seeking TO make his way 10 her
through the crowd. As he approached Paul
recognized Lord Duncan Glenholm. Claim
ing his dance, he led her away with empress
sement to quadrille just forming. Aux
iously and obviously, Paul watched the two.
arm with willowy, bending grace; he, tall,
} fair, and broad shouldered fine type Of
power and strength that could not but find
favor In the artists eye. This then was for.
tunes favorite, the mau who had won the
: wealthy widow.
. He was in no mood to dance. The diecov
] cry that Lady Somsrville was the fair un.
known had been blow to any hope he might
have had Of winning the one weman who
realized his ideal of grace and beauty. Less
) rich, less courted, he might have had q
l
was wholly absorbed in watching every
) movement, every turn OF the face, every
glance of the wonderful eyes that never met
his own. Was 1t chance or did she purpOssly
, avoid himf He determined to b. convinced.
Henosforth, all his energies should bs de-
, voted to solving the enigma. Sphinx that
she was, he would read and unravel the
mystery. The rehearsals at Stsynham
{ house would be in his favor. Fervsntly he
4 "a nl.,G frr l. L.
the unimpOrtant part Of messenger In his
picture with Lady Somervills. However, lie
was doomed herein TO disappointment, and
had to await the eventful night. In the
meanwhi he sought her wherever she was
, likely to b. met. Occasionally they passed
/ In the Row, or he saw her driving or riding In
. the park, and he was fain to be content with
/ the slightest Of bows, or the very few words
that pOliteness required In recognition, II
. might bs, Of some triAing service he was only
too happy " render. Had Lady Somsrville
, desired 70 make him more completely her
slave, she could not have acted with better
J Judgment. The claims Of her fascination,
slight in. the beginning, were weighing on
him aud binding him, = willing captive At
her feet. Nsttlsd and fascinated, Paul
j Smiths admiration was rapidly drifting into
, passionate and intense love, and the one oh.
, ject Of his hitherto objectlsfs life was 10 win
her affection.
, The fsts at Steynham house came of In
, due time. The daily papers called II . 'co.
lossal Success" aud gave unmitigsted praise
, to the three tablsaux preceding the ball. The
! gem ofthe evening was unisniably the last
Glove Tokens" by the fashionable and
i popular artist, Paul Smith, in which, he
himself appeared as the kings messenger,
| and the beautiful Lady Somerville as the i'll.
starred Francolss. Upon the black draper
les Of the background, the masses Of rudy,
golden hair shone out in the food Of glory,
as, with impsrious gesture, she points to q
glittering heap of broken jewels at her feet,
the AFFECT messenger Of the king covering
beneath the outraged woman's scOrn.
Now, and not until now, had Paul real
\. lied the truth. Seeing her in the we'll.
: remembered costume, II flashed upon him
8 Lady Somerville and Isabel Gray were one
and the same-the model, whose love and
: devotion he had lost; he would not admit,
even to himself, that he had despised It..