The Dillon tribune., 1886-01-23

MT anSWCrel. IL Su0 COulu UuC persuade
herself that her brothers estimate of his
character was the right one. Possibly it
might bc-James knew mankind well. II
she could but think so-could believe that
Gerald would forgat-she might then find
it easier to b, wise, AMI, by taking him at
his word. save herself and perhaps him from
what must insure unhappiness.
She was no heroine of romance. She was
not one who could lightly DEFY the world Or
despise what the world values Gerald's
fervent impetuosity had won her love, but
she had always blamed him for winning 1t.
Now, if she could bring herself to trea it,
an easy. simple roa1 to freedom was open.
So she reasonel-so she excused her half
medita,cl treason-so she persuaded herself
it would eventually be better for both II
tncy parted. Yet all she while she knew
she loved Gerald Leigh as she coull love no
other man. In this mental conflic. thu day
p-s;sd and night found the letter uI-
answered.
lne first step-tho step which cost-had
Leen taken. Another and another day passed
and the letter was sclll unansw,ee1. Thsa
James Hcrbert came to her.
"Eugenia, have you replied to that le;t,"''
She shook Ter head.
''4ive it to me-" he said.
Sac did So It was relief to get rid o!
it. He tore it into fragments
There" he said. II knew I could trust
vcur good scne There is an end of the
aff r.. It Is secrc; between you ana ne
an shall never gain allude to it,
Fer good or i'll tine die was cast. She hid
frc.l herself. But sh, left the room with
SWIMMING eyes, and went to Mrs. Cath.
cart.
Aunt" she cried, Twill you take me
.cb.la.!-for long time!''
80 vas hard Tor Mrs. Cathcart to be
csl'l upon to give up the rest Of the
Loldon season. But then Mr.. Hcrbe-5's
recent death prevented her going out muc 1,
and it was paramount that Eugen;a's fu.ure
should be satisfactorily disposed of. So the
excellent woman sacrificed herself at once.
~ will take v"u abroad Eugenia, if you
will promise to be Sir Ralph's wife,"
Euysnia had CHOSEN her own path and
knew where IL would lead; yet for very
stanle she woull not show her thoughts to
others.
Il can promise nothing" she said. ''Take
III, away"
Thrc. days af.erward Gerald Leigh
loarnel that Eugenia had gone abroad with
her aunt He knew that all hop, went
with Eer. He was like man distractel. ].
H. even called upon James Herbert and
he'd tao satisfaction of hearing from that
sentleman's own lips that his sister and
GeralIs love was as good as betrothet to
Sir kul;,h Norgatc. This news did not ssem
to affect him much; perhaps he anticipated
something Of the kind.
Although in his studio all day long. the
sculptor did no work or weeks At last he
arou Cd himself, eli sagei model and SCI
to ". rl with fevsrish energy. From morn
till night he thumbed and pushed about the
ductile clay. He laughed in sort of bitter
triumph. His hands had not lost their cum
ming. The work grew and grew apacs unit
the clay was done with, and a fair white
block Of marble stood in the center of tn.
studio, waiting to be hewn into the statue
which was to be Gerald Leiyh's first hig.
bid for fame.
CHAPTER w.
It was early in May. The Academy ha d
been open about week-long enough fer
the newspaper critic; to tell the public whit
it oughv 10 admire. Strange to say, this
year tue critics were unanimous in bestow.
Ing thei" highest praises OH piece of statu-
ary ana a great future for the sculptor was
predicted.
A, tne bulk of the & ood people who pay
their shiilings at the turnstiles care little
about statues, one which attracts general
attention must be either very great one or
very tricky One-as q rule the latter,
Yet, No. !, 400 in the catalogue appealed
to no one by cheap sentiment or sensational
treatment. 1t was but the lightly -draped
figure of a beautiful girl One Just in the
first fiusn Of wonlanhool. She was in the
act OK stepping hastily forward. Her arms
were extended ~ If to welcome, perhaus
embrace, some one who was coming toward
her. Her lace bore q smile OF eager de-
light. The grace. the ligntn the life of
tn, figure arrested each passsrby. The fall
of the drapery, the position of each we'll
rounded limb, conveyed the idea of rapi;l
motion. 1t was inds ID harl to believe that
she was doomed to remain forever in one
fixed attitude. The stock remark OF the
spectators was that in u minute they ex.
pectei to see her at the other side Of the
room.
This statue bore no distinguishing title,
but those persons who turned to their cata.
logues found. under the number and tn.
artists name, a few words of postry:
Her hands outstretched
To greet the new love; while her feet
Tread, scornful. on the old loves gifts.
After reading thi, one turned, of co,,rsa
to her feet, and found thai one Of them was
trcadiny on flOwers-roses and large star
shapsl blossoms.
Several people. while adnirins the statu,
1ancie.l they had somewhere seen the orir
nal Of that beautiful face; but, save tn,
sculptor, only one, James Herbert, knew
the truth. He cursed Leigh impertinence
but was too wise to take any notice of it.
Yet he determined to keep Eugenia from
The Academy ii possible.
She was in town, AMI in Il weeks tim.
was to be mprrict to Sir Ralph Tw;
months after Mrs. Cathcart had taken h :,
niece abroad the baronet joined them an,
renewed his proposals. ti' time with sue