Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-19

today when she travelled up here to look
at the picture. She can't come near you
without coloring and shaking"
Ernst became still more solemn, and
was evidently in profound thought.
"You must be careful and not trife
with her young affections" Stanley con-
tinued, with rather hard hearted smile,
such as we accord to the heart troubles
of old maids.
Il shall not dryvle with them" replied
Ernst, with seriousness which silenced
the American.
During Stanley's next visit Ernst said
to him; II have peen seeing for myself,
und pelieve you are right"
"Right2 Oh, about the shadow"
"No. Apout Miss Chanel Holcum. /
pelieve she is in love with me-"
"Well, what are you going to dor
laughed Stanley.
81 hat put one thing to do. If she
wish to marry me, | must marry her
owe her my life. l owe her this picture,
which you say is goot. hat lived on
her money. As a man of honor | must
sacrifice myself to her; that is, if she
wishes it. What else can | do?'
Good Lord don't be fool, " remon-
strated Stanley. you don't love her,
of course"
81 hat the very highest resbect for her.
She is an admirable woman"
Eyes. l know l suppose so. But
this is carrying respect and gratitude a
little too far She is twelve or fifteen
years older than you. You could not be
happy with her. Come now don't be
hasty."
II will not be hasty. 1t all defends on
whether she lofes me great teal. We
will see"
When Ernst, convinced that Janet
"lofed him great teal felt himself
bound to declare an affection for her and
ask her to be his wife, the poor, lonely,
hitherto unloved girl was fairly broken
down by the revelation. She burst into
tears, threw herself ON her old, hard sofa
buried her face in the threadbare cushion,
and sobbed out spasm of mingled joy
and terror.
"Ohl can this be true?' she finally
burst forth, when she became conscious
of his hand in hers. as it true?" she
demanded sitting up and looking eagerly
at him. '1f it isn't, take it back. Don't
tell it me any more. 1t would kill me-
to find out it isn't true-oh, it would kill
me-"
ut is endirely drue, my tear Chanel, "
was the adorable falsehood of the chival-
rous German. Il owe all to you. My
life will not pay the debt. But l do not
insist upon marriage EXCEPT when you
wish it. You must chudge for yourself
when it will be prudent"
At this moment Janet caught view of
herself in her mirror. Flushed with Joy
and love, she looked almost handsome,
and it seemed to her for moment that
she was young and desirable. Drawn by
Ernst's plying embrace, she believed that
it was the embrace of affection, and she
let her head fall upon his shoulder with
the words, "Oh, my darling!
Henceforward they were engaged,
though when they would be married
neither of them could say, not even the
old and wise lonly half wise) Janet. With
her, life was delicious dream, forgetful
altogether of the hard past and careless
often of the doubtful future. With him,
life was point of honor and of duty, an
obedience to self respect and rendering
of obligations. His ways were natur.
| ally SO caressing, and he was so conscien
tiously assiduous in his attentions to her
| that he thoroughly deceived even the
suspiciousness of her humble and shy
nature. In the main she believed en-
tirely in his affection, amazing as the &C
QUESTION seemed to her, and much as she
doubted her worthiness of il. 1t is quite
| possible that there was not at that time
in New York Il happier woman than this
almost penniless old maid bctrothed to {
| young artist who was encountered with
debts and who did not love her. Such
are the joys of this world: half of them
at least, delusions; the other half transi
tory.
| L. ID ILL
ley went with Ernst to the picture deal
ers demanded, with much pomp of man
ner, a private audience; exposed the can
vas in the best light, and asked 500
for it.
1T is worthit, D." confessed Mr.. Moineau
| "Only there is no name. If you woulI
put your name to it, Mr. Stanley"
mine! am only portrait painter.
eyes. But you are known. 1t woult
sell the picture"
elf him the name" interposed Ernst
with the eagerness of beggar graspint
at aims.
Its downright swindle, said the gen
erous American. Il couldn't do such
group to save my life. | won't TAX
the credit of it.
Both names?" suggested the dealer il
genius.
1t was agreed to- the picture went OIL
the market as the joint production o
Stanley and Hartmann. The latter, per
fevtly satisfied. and indeed overjoyed
pocketed the $780, the former, in spit
of his private disclaimers, pocketed some
thing considerable in the way of glory.
At Ernst's request Janet Holcum hat
kept strict account of her expenses il
his behalf; and although he had use,
sharp economy, the balance against hin
amounted to $3.50, On reaching home
he went TO her room, gave her smile o
childlike Joy in response to her smile o
anxiety, and tossed the sum of his earn
ings into her lap, Instead of hailing hi
good fortune with gladness, she seeme
to shrink from the money, laid it cold
on table, rose to her feet with pal
face, and said in strange voice, well
you are free"
mo, my tear Chanel, he replied.
am your slave.
THAT is not what want" she STAN
mered trembling visibly. Il cannot sui
4 !. M