Wichita eagle., 1888-09-09
INSIST upon marriage except when you
wish it. You must chudge Tor yourself
when it will be prudent"


and love, she looked almost handsome,
and it seemed to her for a 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 darlingl''
Henceforward they were engaged,
though when they would be married
neither of them could say, not even the
old and wise (only 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 a 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 it. 1t is quite
possible that there was not ct that time
| in New York happier woman than this
! almost penniless Old maid, betrothed to a
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, decisions; the other half transi-
| tory.
| At last "The Rescue" was sold. STAN
ley went with Ernst to the picture deal
er's; demanded, with much pomp of man
ner, private audience; exposed the can
vas in the best light, and asked $500
| for it.
1T is worth it" confessed Mr.. Moineau.
| ''Only there is no name. If you would
| put your name to it, Mr.. Stanley?"
''Minel l am only portrait painter. u
Eyes. But you are known. 1t would
sell the picture"
"Gif him the name" interposed Ernst,
with the eagerness of beggar grasping
at aims.
cit downright swindle," said the gen.
erous American. Il couldn't do such e
group to save my life. I won't take
the credit of it.
"Both nanles?" suggested the dealer in
genius.
1t was agreed to; the picture went on
| the market as the joint production of
Stanley and Hartmann. The latter, per-
feetly satisfied, and indeed overjoyed,
| pocketed the $500; the former, in spite
of his private disclaimers, pocketed some
| thing considerable in the way of glory.
| At Ernst's request Janet Holcum had
! kept strict account OF her expenses in
his behalf; and although he had used
| sharp economy, tho balance against him
amounted to $3.50. On reaching home,
he went to her room, gave her snile of
childlike JOY in response to her smile of
anxiety, and tossed the sum of his earn
ings into her lap Instead Of hailing his
good fortune with gladness, she seemed
to shrink from the money, laid it coldly
on a table, rose to her feet with a pale
face, and said in strange voice, well
you are free.
mo, my tear Chanet," he replied. Il
am your slave .
mered, trembling visibly. Il cannot sub
nit to any such understanding. Mr..
Hartmann, it is my duty to tender you
your liberty"
my tarling Chanel, what does this
mean?' asked Ernst, putting his arm
around her waist and drawing her to him.
MY self respect impels me to it, y she
said, beginning to cry. Il fear that you
proposed TO me out of sense Of obliga-
ton. The obligation is now Cancelled. 1t
was weak il me to accept you. | must
mako amends for it. Indeed, indeed
muSt-you are free.
The gentlest caresses, the sweetest pro-
testations answered her and overwhelmed
her fainting resolution. After q minute,
and very little minute it was, too, she
could not help letting her head go on his
shoulder and sobbing out: "Oh! can
believe you? You make ne so perfectly
happy that must believe you. Oh, you
are my life my all. worship you"
For week OF more this sunshine Of
confidence and joy shone through an un-
clouded heart. She loved her man-her
first man. reI4ember-gatherodl late in her
naying-with a sort of double affection
the love of betrothed and of mother.
And because he returned it, or rather be-
cause she believed that he did, she felt
that she owed him life Of gratitude,
alteration obedience. cverv sweet son.
rlment and every good work. She
was amazingly influenced by him;
one might almost say, revolutionized. A
teetotaler, believing that the wine rec
commended by Paul to Timothy was not
Intoxicating, and that all drinkers of ale
and cider deserved the names of tipplers
and guzzlers, she found nothing hateful
now in the smell Of lager. A hater Of
tobacco, she filed Ernsts pipe. An ad-
mirer of Johnsonian diction, she talked to
him like little child There is no know
ing whittier this youth might not have
carried this mature woman. She was in
fatuated. From one point of view, it
was laughable; from another, it was beau
tiful and pathetic.
1t is not in the nature of things that
woman of 80, who is engaged to hand
some man of %, should remain always
calmly sure of her conquest. An event
was approaching which was destined TO
cast upon this happy heart a shadow of
uneasiness. AS Janet sat, one holiday
afternoon, beside her Ernst, watching the
growth of meaning and beauty under his
pencil, she said to him abruptly, My
little cousin will be here soon.
1907" replied the painter without stop
ping his work Il must get her bres-
ent; shall it pc toll?"
"a doll She wouldn't thank you. She
is 10 years old"
Sol" exclaimed Ernst, looking up in
surprise. Then she cannot pc fiery
little"
u have got her situation in my
school She has finished her education
and must begin to earn her living"
That is goot, smiled the artist. eve
will make one family"
my darling, wanted to tell you
hesitated Janet. eve must say nothing
about our engagement for the present.
That is, would rather you would not, if
it makes no difference to you.
Why" asked the painter stopping his
work and staring at her IN surprise.
Because" stammered and blushedthis
engaged old maid-''because l am
ashamed. Not of you! Oh 10. dearest.
Pr ~. viii i 60 o-aar AID than