Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-06
ness-but face and figure were the

ed forward and whispered TO his aunt.
MAKE Tom Jerome go home with
YOU and let me walk home with Miss
Sevellon."
This was coming to terms that Miss
nephew exhibited no underbred eager
ness. The first excitement of his dis
covery had worn of, and he had resolved
upon his course.
1t was wonderful thing to find him.
self. The next moment, actually being
presented in formal style to tho houri
of the hammock. just how Aunt Sarah
managed it he did not know. but be-
fore long Tom Jerome had gone off
in the carriage. and the houri aud him
self ware strollng along together on
shady little woodland path and he was
saying:
Have you been in Italy, Miss Sevel-
onP"
''Oh. yes; mamma and L spent al
most year there" was the quick re-
s ponse.
Have you ever had your portrait
painted" was the next abrupt ques-
ton.
Never" said Miss Sevelon. coldly,
as if she observed ard disapproved the
bad taste of this informal catech SIN.
Nor ever posed Sor an artisi?"
Never" in tone grown post vely
lev
Mr.. Temple hooked ut her with a
gaze OF uncomfortable surprise.
Most extraordinary" he said, half
under his breath. lis exclamation
was not SO low, however. but that Miss
Sevellon heard il. and it did serve to
modify her expression. She walked
along at his side As stately as a white
pigeon. her head alert and her manner
distant and cool.
You Il have no motive in mislead-
ing me, i suppose" Temple went on,
after a momentary pause, land can
help believing on are play ing a trick
on me-"
Playing trick on you. Mr.. Tenn.
ple?" said Gertrude, Indignantly;
chow could such an extraordinary no.
ton ever enter into my head or yours,
eitherP"
Temple saw he had given oflense.
and when he was forced 10 recognize
the possibility that he might be mis-
taken in his surm Sc the fact was not
hard to account for. 1t was very hard
indeed. however. to believe IN that pos
siDility, and it was only by dismi ssing
the subject from his mind As far rs pos
sible that he could carry on the per-
fectly conventional conversation that
he knew TO be the only one which his
companion warranted.
He made great effort to be enter
tanning. and by the time they reached
the house he was able TO feel that he
had done something toward obliterat-
Ing the disgraceful impression of h )
first style of address.
When the early Sunday dinner.time
arrived. and Miss Sevellon appeared
without her bonnet, having changed
her church dress for Il more relaxed
stvle of garment the likeness TO the
picture was stronger than ever 1t was
not LIKENESS it was positive ident t.;
and when, during the afternoon. Hor-
ace found himself near Mrs Sevellon,
in spite Of all good resolutions he had
made, in defiance OF every instinct of
good taste. his intense interest in this
matter led him on until he had con.
trived TO turn the convcrsat on on
Italy. and he then asked Mrs. Sevellou
if none of the Italian artists had never
prevailed on her daughter to allow her
self to be painted.
Mrs. Sevellon had just responded in
the negative, and was going on to say
sonae thing more. when he became
aware that her daug liter was standing
near them in the recess of the window.
and that she heard his question. And
this was not all! He saw by the M
a. 4 4
aud the look with which she glanced
directly at him for an instant, and
then away, that she resented as we'll
AS heard.
One even ne Mrs. Loaton's guests
got up some tabeaux for the amuse-
ment of the company, and Mr.. Temple.
who had declined 10 act, found himself
seated on the front seat beside his
aunt, very listless spectator. except
when Miss Sevellon figured in the
scenes. which was very often, rs she
was tine acknowledged beauty of the
partv.
He had left his seat and strolled over
to a corner vert near the stage, when
the curtain went up for the last scene.
Ii was fortunate for him that every
eve was fixed on the stage for other.
wise the great start and smothered ex-
clamation he gave vent to must have
been observed. And no wonder he
was startled. for ust below his very
ewes. in a hammock Ingeniously sw ng-
ing n the midst of "a clump of large
shrubs that admirably simulated a
garden. was Miss Sevellon in an at
titude and costume that exactly repro
duced the picture He almost held his
breath in the absorption of his atten-
ton rs his eager eve took in every de-
tail. even to the Greek pattern in the
border of her dress and the antique
silver coins in the bracelet on her arm,
and--yes! there in a little group. near
the rounded elbows, were the three
little dark specks Gould circumstantial
evidence 90 farther?
As soon as the t2bleaux were over
he made his wav to Miss Sevellon' s
side. eager yet tmid. To his delight
he saw that she seemed TO welcome