Wichita eagle., 1888-09-09


Well, it happened.
E1rsts heart was empty. Janet did
not inhabit it; had not even entered
into it. The unnamed girl whom he had
! loved in Prussia had by heroic efforts
been so far expelled from it that he did
not desire ever again TO see her. But
her former residence there had SO nodded
the abode that any one who resembled
her could seize upon it, occupy it, and fill
it. What now happened to the young
man was apparently love at first sight,
but was really no more than the trans
ferring of an old love to new object A
week after he first met Nellie Fisher the
thought of her could fill him with deli
cious reveries. while the thought of his
troth plight to Janet Holcum was sutfi-
Gent to make him mediate once more
upon suicide.
+ And the girl? He and she met every
day, and two or three times day In
! spite of his conscientious efforts to con-
troll himself, there was in his manner to-
ward her a tenderness, which, REINFORCED
/ by his beauty, his graceful address, and
/ the glamour of his artistic ability, could
not but move the heart of child of 10,
| who had never hoped for SO fine an ad-
nlirer In little while Nellie began to
futter at sight of him, and to pet him in
spite Of her hutterings.
/. isn't he charming?' she said to her
cousin.
: do you think so?' replied Janet, half
| gratifed and half anxious.
81 really like his accent low. l thought
! it ridiculous at first.
$50 did /"
"What does she meant" queried Nellie,
marveling at this dryness and brevity.
] ooh, suppose know. He is poor, and
/ an poor, and we mustnt-firt. Well
( i suppose we-mustn t.
She went to the glass, looked at her
/ lily skin, wished her nose were longer,
arranged her flaxeN hair, and wondered
whether he Liked her.
"Do you know how you could fatter
/ ;1e?" she said before long to Ernst.
Howl" he asked coolly for she tempt
/ ID him in distressing manner, and he
/ felt that he must allow himself no ex-
! oansion.
''Ohl you don't want to do it." she re-
/ piled, with little sunny pout which she
! had and which was irresistible
Il am sure wish to please you," he
said unable to bear her pout. How can
hatter your
You could put ne into one of your
/ pictures"
Il should be charmed to do it," ad-
mitted the over tempted artist.
The next day the two women beheld
! Nellie's bewitching face, drawn and col
ored with all the fervor of an art which
loves, smiling from Ernst's canvas. Tho
younger blushed and bridled with Joy to
see herself there and so beautiful; the
elder wore fixed, mechanical smile, and
said repeatedly, What an excellent like
nessl"
He had never put Janet's face into his
creations. She did not blanc him for
that; she believed that he could do moth
ing agreeable with it; she surveyed her
self in the glass and sighed, Il am so
ugly" But to see Nellie on that easel,
painted by his hand and painted so well,
it was driving dagger into her beating
heart.
That very day Ernst, in fit of noble
renorse and self sacrifice, said to Janet
in private, Il wish you would let me in
form Nellie of our troth plight. think
it would be-petter.
She grew so faint, under the terrible
revelation which he had unintentionally
made. that for moment she could not
answer him; and even when shs'sp oize, 1t
was only to f-Sk to~ delay.
''Stop" she said. pressing hcT hG-ds
upon her eyes. "Let me think. I must
consider this"
He 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 unspeakable
piteousness. and gently glided away; her
whole manner saying, All, my darling!
you don't wish to do it, and why do you
do it,"
''Is it possible that she gomprehends
me?" thought Ernst folding his arms and
shaking his head with the air of a man
who is trying to stand firm against him
self. He appreciated fully the self abne-
CATION and heroism of Janet's character;
he knew that if he once confessed to her
that he did not love her she would in
stantly free him from his engagement;
and there was the image of Nellie plead
ing with him for his sake, if not for hers
also, TO make the confession. He shook
his head and set his 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
betrothal.
But during the day, while superintend-
ing her classes with her usual conscien-
tious thoroughness, Miss Holcum also
came to q decision. On reaching home in
the afternoon she sent Nellie out on some
distant errand, and then walked slowly
up to Ernst's room.
My tear Chanetl | am SO glad to see
you" he said, coming towards her with
extended hands and his sweetest smile.
My poor child you look tired, he added,
CHANGING pityingly at her unusually pale
face. There sit down, und take some
rebose. Do you see my bicturei l have
made some changes"
Raising her patient eyes to the canvas.
Janet perceived that the portrait OF Nellie
had been so altered as to be no longer
recognizable. Throbbing with admiration
for this man, who could divine her heart
SO perfectly, and who could do what must
have been hateful TO him at the mere bid
ding of his sensitive conscience, she rose
up with suddenly flushed cheeks, seized
both bis hands, printed one hot kiss on
his smooth, white forehead, and then
drew back, holding him at arms length,
in order TO worship him.
Ernst, / know what you have DONE"
she said, firmly Il thank you for your
noble intentions. But sacrifice for sscri-
fee! Ii is my turn now. 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 it. You are free. Therel"
She tore herself away from him and
attempted 70 rush out of the room.
'Chanet, Chanet," he called. spring
ing after her and seizing her in his arms.
1T must not ne so. You are the noplest