The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-08-04

bUaukeIB W Iue L puuSeu On Uuo DTOhC
stone steps laid there by our mighty con
querors sixteen centuries before, and gazed
down into the dark waters of the bath
Presently little pebble, so small 1t scarcely
caused ripple, was flung into the water Close
to me. Guessing 1t to be q signal, turned
came and stepped out Of the sunshine into
the shadow Of some vaulted masonry
There before an easel stood the .'ont
man in the world to me-" He drew
me to him In the shade, the large canvas
on the easel forming friendly screen be
kissed my lips; and I-what wonder that
my pulses throbbed, and that my heart beat
high with happinessl My short life, hith.
erto so weighted with care, seemed bathed
in sunshine now.
II may tell Mrs. Dalyel our secreti'
meet again on the same spot next day.
mo, Lucy" he said, mot yet; but SOON"
And as his will was mine agreed to keep
longer.
Three days went by, three happy days;
chosen and apparently safe trysting place.
But on the fourth, as we sat in our cool
retreat, saw to my inexpressible dismay
the tall and graceful figure OF Mrs Dalyel
crossing leisurely the open space before us.
Horace, whispering, me to sit STILL rose,
tion Of his easel--so that while it still served
as screen to me, he himself stood out in
the sunshine-then took up his brush and
palette and began to paint. Mrs. Dalyel
saw him Instantly, and l was struck with
the look that came into her face on doing
so. 1t was Enthusiastically ono Of recogni-
tion and Of startled, glad surprise.
Mr.. Lorenzo" she exclaimed, when she
had come quite close to him. Horace
raised his hat, but apparently did not see
the outstretched hand
mo doubt you are surprised to And me
about a month since and came to Lon
don. ran down here because" The
pause he made appeared significant
You knew that I was in Bath' You
came to seek mel"
Her voice was SO soft and low, it thrilled
me. What a revelation it contained.
Scarcely breathing, awaited his reply.
Here is my excuse" he answered, eva
sively, calling attention to his work. "You
see am painting picture of this place.
am building up these ruins as they may
haze nJ been in the golden days Of their glory
''The past!" she echoed. 20, at seeing
you again, can think but of one past. Tho
time, five years ago. The scene, Rome.
The actors, you and myself. Haveyou quite
forgotten, Lorenzo"
u have forgotten nothing" he answered,
i
and he continued to paint vigorously, while
Mrs. Dalyel from beneath the shadow OF
her deep lace-bordered parasol, watched
him with feverish look in her fine dark
eyes:
gently, II have seen your name rise grad
ually to fame. Fortune has been kind to
you. whilst L"
"Whilst you are as handsome as ever; as
rich, and trust as happy" She laughed,
a little disdainfully, it seemed
You judge by appearances" she said.
changed"
mot in my eyes, at least" he answered,
in deep, concentrated tones that made me
shiver and turn cold. Then she bent her
proud head close to his-so close-and
spoke rapidly few words that could not
ance irrevalently asked: "You are not
alone here Mrs. Dalyel"
"No. l have with me a little protegee; Q
young girl whom have taken up"
Another whim Of the momentW he
"What would yous" she returned, with a
slight shrug and her most pronounced
French manner. ''We idle women who
have no ties-we take what you English
call "a craze for this or that"
when this or that means man or
woman, then en- say the Play Is sometimes
Perhaps l speak too feelingly. This is
scarcely the place, nor is it yet time to
"Come to the hotel" she said, not allow
ing him to finish his sentence. "When
may l expect your
For a moment he seemed to hesitate,
then said in a firm, low voice: 'It was
my intention to call on you this evening.
l will do so."
He went on painting. / saw a flash of
triumph leap into her eyes. Then she
bowed aud turned away. l rose from my
perceived. He had dropped his brush and
stood gazing after Mrs. Dalyel. seemingly
lost in acknowledgements that was pleasur-
able, for he smiled.
''Don't run away like that Lucy!" he
cried, hurriedly catching at my dress as l
speak, much less to remain, but shaking
myself free from his OBTAINING hand fed
across the open space and up the wooden
ladder, scared and breathless There l
turned, and looking down on the scene had
quilted, saw the. sunshine gliding the
broken columns, glistening in the waters
of the bath, and Horace standing whore l
had left him with bright smile on his lips.
pressed my hands before my eyes to shut
out the sight, and, shivering, made my way
back to the hotel.
Too miserable, too mystified, to dare to
AAooV VII Doiy % oU AOuShs "uuO VA
cuse to remain in my own room, but on
joining her later, was struck with the
change in her. Her cheeks were flushed,
her beautiful eyes beamed with a new light
in them. She looked handsomer than had
ever seen her. And II watched her with
strange to me. When the wretched dinner
was over-which ono of us could not touch
for happiness, the other for very misery
| was about to leave the room, but Mrs
Dalyel called me to her, bidding ms be
seated on low stool at her feet. my hand
my liking for you is no idle whim. l love
you dearly. As proof of this I have
something to tell you that concerns you
very clossly. But first Of all shall make
q confession to you that regards myself
You love me, child" she asked, leaning
over me.
For sole reply, 1 pressed my lips upon the
hand held, while she continued:
when quite young l married Mr.. Dal-
vel. My parents arranged the marriage
according to the approved French custom.
Six years ago my husband died, leaving me
q large fortune, the bulk Of which, how
ever In the event Of my making a second,
Of whom know nothing, except that he
himself In my husbands eyes by
going into trade. The first year OF my
widowhood over, went to Rome. When
there l took . craze for art, studied for
several months under one Of the first
artists, and became acquainted with a
young man named Lorenzo, also study ing
In the same studio. He was many years
younger than myself. very handsome, .
companion, devoted to art, and
very soon became oqually-or perhaps
rather more-devoted to me. Well, what
would youl encouraged him-as q pas
time, Of course-but never for one mo-
ment believed he was sufficiently infatu-
ated and presumptuous to ask me to marry
him a. not only asssa 70 % h: wife