Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-30

Lady Steynbam succeeded in her aim.
she was introduced TO Lady SomerVllle,
and she prevailed upon her TO undertake q
part IN the tableauX: this was, however,
only upon condition that rehearsals were
dispensed with Lady Somerville request
Ing photograph OF the picture. In vain
Lady Steynham suggested visit to the
studio. Lady SOmervlle declared "she
hated artists, as they expected so much fat
terry and adulation -; and the Countess,
only too happy to secure the Beauty, will
lngly acceded TO the terms she mentally
voted capricious.
Some DAYS later. meeting Lady Somer-
VILE at ball, she was delighted to present
the artist TO her.
"Lady Semervllle, allow me TO introduce
Mr.. Paul Smith; our collaboratelr, you
know. IN the tableauX." Lady Somerville
acknowledged the introduction by a slight
bow.
"May have the honor Ct the next
yase?" Paul asked, eagerly.
"Thank you, l never valse." The
answer was not encouraging, and the tone
still less so, but the voice was wonderfully
sweet
"The next quadrile?"
al am engaged"
"Tbe lancers!"
She shook her head and turned away.
"Have you no dance 10 give me!" he
persisted.
Il am afraid not" she answered care
lesslv enough, smiling the while upon u
gentleman evidently seeking TO make his
way TO her through the crowd. As he APP
pr0sched. Paul recognized Lord Duncan
GlenhOlm. Claiming his dance, he led her
away with e1RpreSSement to a quadrllle Just
forming. AnXiOusy and enviOusly Paul
watched the two. A weIl-matched couple;
she. leaning on his arm with willow. bend
ing grace he. tall, fair. and brOad-Shoul-
dered-a fine type of power aud strength
that could not but find favor in the artists
eve. This, then, was fortunes favorite,
the man YhO had won the wealthy widow.
lie was IN no mood 10 dance. The dis
covery that Lady Someryille was the fair
unknown had been blow to any hope he
might have had OF winning the one woman
who realized his ideal OF grace and beauty.
I? but Iasf s gaze sfiG 6 SsyGd her
he was wholly absorbed in watching every
| movement, every turn Of the fair face,
every glance OF the wonderful eyes that
never met his own. Was 1t chance, or did
she purposely avoid him? He deter
mined TO be convinced. HencefOrth
! all his energies should be devoted
! 10 solving the enigma. Sphinx that she
was, he would read and unravel the
mystery. The re3earSals at Steynham
! House would be in his favor. Feryently
he blessed Lady Steynham for casting him
In the unimportant part OF messenger IN
| his picture with Lady Someryille. How
| ever, he was doomed herein TO dlsappont-
ment, and had TO await the eyentful night.
| In the mean while he sought her wherever
! she was likely TO be 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 tho very few words that
| politeneSs required In recognition, it
might be. Of some trifing service he
was only too happy 20 render. Had Lady
| Somervillc desired TO make him more com
pletely her slave. she could not have acted
with better judgment. The claims Of her
fascination, slight in The beginning, were
weighing on him and binding him. a viii
| ling captive, at her feet. Nettled and fas.
| cinated. Paul Smith's admiration was rap
| idly drifting into passionate and intense
love. and the one object OF his hitherto OBJ
! iectless life was TO win her affection.
The ftte at Steynham House came off in
| due time. The daily papers called It a
"cOlossal success" and gave unmltigated
praise to the three tableauX preceding the
| ball The gem Of the evening was unde-
niably the last" Love Tokens" by the
fashionable and popular artist Paul smith,
in which he himself appeared as the king
messenger, and the beautiful Lady Somer-
| vile as the ilhstarred FRANCHISE. Upon the
| black draperies OF the background the
masses OF rudy, golden hair shone out in
| the food OF glory, rs, with imperiOus ges-
| ture. she points TO glittering heap OF
broken Jewels at her feet, the abiect mes
| senger OF the king covering beneath the
outraged woman's scon.
Now, and rot until now, had Paul real
| lied the truth. Seeing her in the we'll
| remembered costume, it flashed upon him
Lady Somcrville and Isabel Gray were one
and the same-tho model, whose love and
| devotion he had lost; he would not admit,
even to himself. that he had despised 1t.
| His eyes met hers with look OF burning
| love. At that look OF recognition hers fell,
| the color rose omiuously in her pale cheeks.
and ~ suddenly faded away; her lips parted
in faint sigh. Swaying forward she wOuld
| have fallen but for Paul, who rushed
/ WIN OutsiItiNntO diuiS W save HOls ~
the loud applause succeeded sudden
hush. The curtain WAS dropped. Lady
Sttynham was quickly on the scene,
promptly giving tue necessary directions.
| The guests were reassured, Lady Somer-
ville's faintness attributed to the heat, and
after q few moments the curtain rose again
upon the interrupted tabeau. Paul lougeC
10 be alone with her. His heart was beat
ing with high hopes OF forgiveness; surely
she could not be indifferent TO the lover o
her youth. Would the curtain never drop
At last, amid the sound OF deaiening ap
plause. il fell; the tableau was over nc
was free to see her. She did not enter tn
ballroom, but eluded him. aud he and 10
admlring spectators looked for her in vain
TIE following day Lady SomerYille'
house was beseiged by callers-all Londoi
left cards OF inquiry.
Among Others Paul Smith, who, hcarin
she was better, ventured to call again late
IN the afternoon. He was told "her lady
ship had left town."
vi.
Isabel hal sought safety in flight. Why
He had discovered her secret. What then