The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-12-24

foolish untried heart. more dear and
o desirable than love.
II have no wish to marry she
said, hastily, shrinking back. "You
have been more than kind, and Hope
you will not think me ungrateful If |
refuse--"
He stopped her.
Il did not think OF gratitude; l
wanted love-" he said. "Unless you
can give me that, / would not marry
you for the world, Evelyn, much as 1
love you.'
II cannot. III do not love you,"
she said, uneasily; and supposed that
she was speaking only truth.
And yet her heart-she thought it
was her conscience reproached her for
the sorrow in Paul's face. And, as
she grew strong and well, and needed
his services no longer, she began to
miss those long friendly visits of his,
and long sometimes for the earnest
eyes and kindly smile of her true
friend.
be came no more. How could
he. since, professionally, he was
no longer needed, and, as a low
er, he had been refused? And
Evelyn, aftera bitter cry over her own
folly, set to work resolutely to per-
suade herself that she had done q
grand, heroic thing-had sacrificed
simple and natural domestic ties and
home happiness to the requirements
of genius aud ambition and the hope
of fame.
81 Twill become a celebrated woman"
she thought, "and laugh at this folly
OF love. There must be great merit in
my work, when one of the pictures
was sold Immediately. Why could he
not be content to remain my friend,
without thinking oflove or marriage?"
She went to the shop as soon as she
able, and was delighted TO find that
another drawing had been sold. And
yet, though the proprietor consented
to let her bring him more, she could
not flatter herself that he showed any
enthusiasm concerning the matter.
at will be different when | am fa-
NOUS" she thought. ''They will come
running to me eagerly then. And
then, too, perhaps"
Her thoughts reverted regretfully
to Paul. Would he love her still,
when she had gained wealth and fame,
and could find leisure to think of love?
The poor child was beginning to long
for loves happiness. Ambition and
fame, even when they are attainable,
are but dry, barren husks at best, to
feed a woman's loving heart upon.
"Ill take pictures TO other Shops"
she thought as she painted industri-
ously.
She did so. Poor child, she could
find no one to receive them-no
one who wanted them at all.
THAT is not art" said one gruff
old dealer, chats child's play
fancy work-women's rubbish. You
have found one shop where it sells,
you say? Take it there, then. You'll
not easily find another
She went out like one in a dream,
or, rather, like one who is dazed by a
sudden waking. She went straight to
the dealer who had taken her pictures
first, and impIored himto answer her,
truly, this question: "What are my
drawings really WORTH"
She saw his embarrassment at once.
No need for further answer.
81 understand" she said, quietly
she was very pale. "But why did you
aver receive them?"
The dealer explained. The gentle
man had requested it so earnestly
the gentleman who brought the draw
ings first, and who had bought all
that bad been sold.
Her startled exclamation stopped
him.
"He? he? Oh, Paul! my benefactorl
Always my benefactor. How have |
been so blind? What shall do? How
shall I atone? How can ! eve repay
your"
She FASTENED home and told her
mother all.
'Come with me to him." sheimplor-
ed her. 81 cannot rest until l have
confessed my error, and thank him
for his goodness. To think the love
of such a heart was mine, and that /
lost it."
She had not lost it, however. Love
such as this man had given her is not
taken back so easily. Many an hour
Of sorrow and regret had she caused
Paul, but still he loved her.
Together, Evelyn and her mother
sought him.
He was at home, the servent told
them, and alone.
Let us go to him unanncunced,
Evelyn whispered.
They did SO. He was sitting with
his back to the half-open door, his
face buried in his hands, resting on
the desk before him. He lifted it as
Mrs. Gray pronounced his name, and
Evelyn saw in his hands. where his
face had lain, her first picture OF the
roses.
She ran to him with a little thrilling
cry. and fell upon her knees beside him.