Daily Republican., 1886-04-30


mirth while vet in the bud, the desire
to laugh becomes more irrepressible,
and again my laugh rings on the si-|
lence.
Mr.. Athen looks quickly up, and as
his dark, smiling eyes meet mine, al
vivid flush stains my face, and even
sends q strange, new thrill TO my
heart, the meaning of which, through
the embarrassed silence that falls, and
being q girl Of the fashionable world, 1
understand too well.
What pity my lady-mamma could
not have seen the look those fine eyes
photographed to mine--the look which
thrilled my heart, sleeping or waking,
through all the night, and on the mem
DRY of which l lived many days when
the reality had gone from my life.
For early next day the portrait was
finished and huBg,and Georgia's beau
Itilul face smiled down on us in its
lawless perfection, and / thought it no
wonder that Arthur Willard loved her.
But with the finishing of his work the
artist went from my life, the same day
that mother and Georgia started for
Richmond, and never before had |
been quite so lonely in my loneliness.
was even glad to enter into CONVEX
sation with the servants when papa
swas not at home.
In the evening accompanied him
Ieverywhere-to party, ball and
ltheater-yet there were no eyes that
lsent that strange, indescribable pang
Ito my heart, although | met people OF
levery dcscription-musical, literary,
lartistic-but never him,
Then comes letter from Georgia
such pathetic letter, for all its artifi-
lcial gayetyi And if anything were
needed to convince me of my own for
Horn condition, the tears shed over
THAT letter do SO. In my own misery,
| can feel all sweet, weak Georgia's
lsufferings. What q horrible thing il is
to know that our hand must go where
Tour heart will not, for though hands
lare often obedient, hearts are some
times unruly things, knowing more OF
Iunrequited and lost loves than they
ever do of perfect bliss.
| "As yet" Georgia writes, 'the god
sfor whose sake am to be dressed and
iparaded by mamma and that old
heather, Aunt Devereaux, has not ar
rived, but is daily expected"
Then comes another letter, which
/ strikes the death blow TO every hope
had ever possessed of happiness. II
lis from mamma to her ''disobedient
daughter, ;" and goes ON to say that:
AT last Aunt Devereaux's heir has
. ARRIVED, and he happens TO be the
handsome artist who painted Georgia''
. picture, and she is quite sure every
q thing will end satisfactorily, and
~ END satisfactorily Great hea-
vensl how can anything ever end sat
h | istactorily for mel 1t had all been 6
d dream-a foolish fancy of mine, then
a that he had cared for me! or cours'
!, lit was Georgia--how could it be other
q wise, when she was so much NOR
e lovely than II
ri rise and walk 10 the tall miro
(which stands al one end of the room
- and survey my own small face, whicl
!. has become so white, pathetic, an
If solemn that even smile in triumph
l. telling myself that death is stamped i
every lineament, and wondering if h
l. Twill even care when he learns that
N am dead.
NJ NV brother in Jaw, Georgia's hui
ii bandl Ishrank from the idea with
re- sharp, sudden pain that brought
shrek TO my white lips; and then
n knew no more, shrouded in a mere
In full oblivion that lasted many day
a during which, l now remember,
" raved and tossed and whispere
hoarsely.
at My eyes flare open and survey man
1r mas face, the same face, yet |
or soitened and sweetened by care an
M love that | scarcely recognize it, ar
p close my weary eyes again TO chai
is away the illusion.
N With my eyes closed and my bra
i'll throbbing, ! YEARLY remembered al
In and that in my pride | must scho
r lmy nerves to be controlled. lremen
ct Der that some day shall marry, pc
mr. haps; but that with my weary head c
Inv own husbands bosom, l sha
nc always be ycarning for Georgia's hu
I'd band.
hei THANK God, whispered Georgia
r. voice, through suppressed tear
T. "Thank God, the fever is past. Flos
adj don't you know us, dearp"
heI "She is SO weak" whispered anot
he er voice that causes my weary hea
in to beat again, and my eyes to OPT
suddenly, and my lips to utter MOI
v. of pain.
N The next moment my head is p
lis flowed on his breast and we are alo
or in the room, while his kisses fall
n my tear -drenched face, and l do n
even struggle to draw myself ava
,r, though do wonder at the meaning
", it all.
Id II was compelled TO leave yo
he darling" he says tenderly. "But d
lin you not know | loved you, and that
IDS had come to paint Gcorgia's portri
just to win your lover And Au
ilyl Devereaux has divided the money
that Georgia gets half, and permissi
we to marry Willard. Now you mi
ng restl'
artl And with both my hands clasp
In close in his, am well content to
nd $50, after telling him all my agony-t
doubts and fears which have vanish
pe- as mist from the river when pierc
pa Iby the summer sunshine.
,ort >s-~--~---