Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-21
ry ]. v. Z. FOREST.

mircr II little while Nellie began to
nutter NJ sight OF him. and to pet lin il
spite Of her Gattesings.
lat he charming she said 70 Ler
cousin
10 you think so9' replied Janet. half
gratlGed and half anxious.
IF really Ike his accent now. thought
II ridiculous at first
80 did
what does she mean?- qucr,ed Nellie.
marveling at this dryness and breyity.
ooh. suppose know IIe II poor. cad
am poor. and we nustn't-hift well
i 8apppso we-rIuatnt-
She wen, to the glass. looked ut her
lily skin, wished her nose were longer
arranged her GaXcn hair. and wondered
whether hc liked Lcr
DO you know how you co2ld Gattcr
me?" she said before long TO Ernst.
How ho asked coolly for she tempt
ed him in distressing manner. and lie
felt that he must allow himself no OK
pansicn
Oh, You don't want to do it. she ro-
piled. with liitle sunny pout which $40
had and which was irresistible.
Il am sure wish to blcase you" he
said uuaIlc to bear her pout How can
Halter YOU
"Yoa could put the into one Of yoar
picture.
Il should be charmed TO do Il, ad-
mittel the over tempted artist
To nc,t DAY the two wonen behold
Nel.c'e Dewitt hing face. drawn and col
orod with ui Tic fcrvor OF an art which
loves sr..l. ,rum Erusts caav1s. The
younger b,l.hed and bSidlrd with Joy to
sea horzc!f nero and 30 beautiful. tho
cider wlrc s iised. mechanical -,ui.c. and
sid repeatedly What an cSceltcnt like
mss
lie hr, gpvcr put Janet face into hi,
creations She d;I not blame him for
that she believed That he could Gp Moth.
ing a.sroo4 do villa it, she Surveyed her
SELF IN tlo i.,.tsa AID sighed, / an SO
upiy ia - sec Nellie Oh that easel.
p9il..i 'y lis hggd and painted SO well
It was a1i las dagger into her beating
heart.
That very dag Erns' in Ct Of noble
remo,sy and self sa- RI .ee. said TO Janet
in private. Il wish you would let no in
form Ncllio of our troth plight. | think
T. would ia potter"
Sine r,,w 50 faint. under the terrible
r.eclaiuti which he had unintcnt iouslly
made. tltgt Tor Il moment sho could not
answer him. and even when she spoke il
wa oiiy TO ask for delay.
"S'"p' she said pressing her hands
upon her eyes. Let nc think. | must
consider this
lie offered to slide his arm around her
waist in his usual caressing style; but
she gently stopped him. looked earnestly
in his face. smiled with an indispensable
..gt Lii hos
whole manner saving. All. my darlingl
you don't wish to DO it, and why do you
do itY''
rs it possible that she gomprchends
meg' thought Ernst, folding his arms and
shaking his head with he air of man
who is trying to stand firm against HIM
self lie appreciated fully the self abne-
CATION and hero,sm Of Janct's character;
he knew that II he oncstcoufessed to her
that he did not love her she would in
stanily free him from his engagement;
and there was tho image of Nellie plead.
ing with him for his sake, If not for hers
also, ia make the confession. He shook
his head and set hi, teeth until he had
faced down the temptation and had de
cided that, whether Janet permitted it or
not he would inform her cousin of the
bet rothal
Bat during tho day, while superiutend-
ing her classes with her usual conscien-
tious thoroughness, Miss IIolcum also
came to decision. On reaching home in
the afternoon she sent Nelic out on some
distant errand and then walked slowly
up 10 Ernst room.
My tear Chanel I an so glad TO see
you" he said, coming towards her with
extended hands and hts sweetest smile,
My poor child, you look tired, he added.
glancing pityingiy AT her unusually pale
face. There, sit down. und take some
rebose. Do you see my bicturet | have
III Dc, some changes.
Raising her patient eyes TO the canvas.
Janet perceived that the portrait OF Nellie
had been so altered rs to be no longer
recognizable. Throbbing with admiration
for this man. who could divine her heart
~ perfectly. and who could do what must
have been hateful to him nj the mere bid
ding OF his sensitive conscience. she rose
up with suddenly flushed cheeks seized
both his hands. printed one hot kiss on
his smooth. white forehead, and then
drew back. holding him at AIMS length.
in order e. worship him.
Ernst. | know what you have done"
she said, firmly. Il thank you for your
noble intentions. But sacrifice for sacri
fee 1t is my turn nov Ernst, my own
darling. we must separate | was born
for YOU. but you were not born for me.
We must end this engagement. must
end it. or despise myself do end it.
break II. You are free. THERE
She tore herself away from him and
attempted to rush out OF the room
'Chaue, Chanet' he called. spring
1T must not pc so. You are the noplest
woman on earth. | worship you can
not lose you"
"oh. DON'T" iinplored Janet. looking
up at him in DESPAIR. for he was taxing
her almost beyond ner strength. After a
ragying all the power Of her
soul. she added See here, Ernst let US
speak the truth. Do YOU love me better
than YOU love any one cisel''
How could he have the seeming cruelty
TO answer her MOI" He did what most
gentle hearted men would have done--he
told her plying self sacrificing false
hood. He said. II do"
See was too clear sighted to be deceived.
ard too high souled to accept an unwill-
ms heart
Look at this Bible. Ernst, she con
tinued. drawing from her pocket little
Testament that never quilted her Put
your hand upon It. and here. seizing his
fingers, she claspei them around the book
Now tell me whether you love me better
than any other
You trile me into CORNER. replied
the artist piteouSlv. w ell, swear
swear that resbect unit atmire yoa more
than other human peing Is it not
enough
"Do you love Neilieg~
SHE is so Hike ne stammered
We'll. she will soon be in love with
yoa." said Janet. with a last supreme
Effort. Take her. Make her happy"
She had been leaning away from him.
Sho now turned, with the revulSiou of a
blow. threw her arms around his neck.
covered his face with kisses and tears.
md then once more leaned back from him
to look at him.
That is the end OF ell between Us. she
said. in hoarse. deep voice. totally IN
like her usual utte<snce. ..iieilcesurward
l shall DO my duty. and you must help ms
do 1T One thing-never tell Nellie this: