Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-31

despair, In stern silence far more terrible TO see
than the widest, saddest tears woman ever shed
The MONDAY sunlight, shining through crimson
curtains, cast rosy glow the pale cheek OF the
painter Claude, as with a look of troubled JOY he
stood before his easel, from which Theresas face
looked back upon him.
Il cannot give these lips the proud, bright smile
she wears, and yet il had never looked on her
this would seem most beautiful to me-" he muir
INJURED MALT aloud, as he bent nearer still to gaze
upon his lovely work.
1T is most beautiful dear Claude echoed low
voice at his side; and, turning with gully start,
a strange searching look, before which his own
gaze fell.
why have you never let me see this lovely face
before? Did you fear should grow jealous Claude?
II 50, you wronged me- for well know the love you
bear me, and 1 shall never doubt it MORE" said
\ dark smile passed across her face as she
watched her lover. standing pale and silent by her
side, Tearing 10 look upon her h had So wronged
But as she looked with a sudden effort he shook
on the spell that held him SILENT and. In voice
he strove in vain TO render gay, replied:
Then you can trust me 70 look daily On face
like this and never fear that 10 may teach me to
love you less? All, Beatrice you do not truly love
me, or some jealous fear would stir your wolnan's
heart and waken tender doubts OF me; II should
love another you would soon forget me-"
Never l should not forget you nor forgive
you, II you were false. But tell me, Claude you
do not love Theresa? She is younger, ioveler than
|. but she Will never be to you all will be; can
never cling TO you with half the faith and con-
stancy that L have done. LOOK In my face, dear
Claude, and answer truly-do you love Theresa ."
sudden light flashed In her eye, sudden passion
trembled In her VOICE a. Beatrice thus spoke and
with fond, inploring glance looked up into the
face he half averted as ne answered hastily:
"Foolish Beatrice, you can doubt me, then. But
DO not fear. Theresa Is no more to me than yon-
der plcture-a lovely thing to look upon, and then
forget"
'Nay, Claude, look in my face and as you love
| answer me. II she be dearest, tell me truly; but
on, deceive Inc not Choose now between us
Theresa with her beauty, or Beatrice with all her
love. SPEAK, Claude L will pardon all for the
truths sake" urged Beatrice, still looking with
strange earnestneSs into her lovers changing face
III ne Turned i away and ior moment struggled
! erous love 10 pardon him; but his eye fell on
Theresas lovely face, as It smiled upon MIN from
| his easel He remembered that he had already
| chosen, and now, as then, passion conquered
| He Thought only Of Theresa; but, with q false
| smile on his lips, he turned TO Beatrice softly
saying as he drew her TO his side:
Danish these doubts, and let no fear OF another
cloud your Joy, dearest. LOOK up and smile again
/ for have made my choice
| "YOu havel YOU have! and am not the chosen
4 one. oh. Claude, false TO the last!r murrnured
Beatrice, Ia low. broken voice, as she bent her
| face upon her hands, for she read his heart and
\ her last hope was gone. The painter only caught
his whispered maine, and casting one fond glance
\ at the fatal picture, he looked down upon the
Bonded head that rested for a moment on his
breast with mingled pity, shame and triumph
| stirring IN his heart.
sudden tap at the studio door broke the
silence, and as her lover left the room Beatrice
| raised her face and pressed her hands ,soon her
breast, as II 10 still her bitter greet, winnie her
lay God forgive him for this cruel wrong.
sought 10 win him TO generous confession or his
in vain; he would deceive me 10 the last ana turn
the pure, devoted love bore him into scorn a nd
pity for MS weakness and the double falssho0d he
has shown oh, Claude! could have borne 10 lose
your love- but not TO my tender trust so cruelty
betrayed. But, hush! he comes I cannot steal
/ away, and 50 will look my last and then depart
AND as hIsstep drew near, she stiIled her sorrow.
dashed away the tears that lay upon her cheek
and sinking on a couch half unconscious what She
did, began with trembling fingers TO make a gar
land OF some rare flowers heaped In a vase That
/ stood beside her.
The painter frowned as he saw her thus en-
plOyed, Tor the flowers were destined for another:
but conceaing his anger, he gaily said, as he re-
| suIGed his palette and brush These were gath
cred for you, dear Beatrice. Yon see they are
roses, Loves own nowers- Then, VIII you not wear
/ them tonight for my sake."
shall not Irather weave them into a garland for
the lovely Theresa, for whom they hitter orna-
ments than for me. VIII crown her with roses
that the world may see neither fear nor envy her
| Think not sight your gift, Claude but know ft
Will give you pleasure to it resting on her beam
tlInl head said Beatrice, with a oirter smile.
| stricken face. Claude cast quick fearful glance
upon her as she spoke, but there was no Sign OF
| anger or suspicion on her half-averted face over
which the crimson drapery east a warm bright
glow, and with sigh OF relief he gently replied:
u shall, Indeed, delight in seeing a wreath Of
L = y l.
l prove 10 the world more plainly stiIl how gem
erous and noble a heart beats in your breast.
Beatrice. this will. indeed be a garland M for a
! queen, ne adie looking with admiration at the
/ graceful band OF flowers she had woven with her
| utmost skin; but put In no more roses. or YOU
VIII crush Instead Of crown her Beatrice, for this
wreath, Light as IL Is, will fall he yily from the
height whence you win drop IL on her head. U
| might De pleasant death Tor one 20 die Crushed
/ with flowers In our hour Of Joy; but we cannot
4 lose Theresa yet, so weave the garland lyhfIv
and you can add no other charm TO your lovely
/ work.
| And with these words upoo b,s Ina ns
| turned away, and soon seemed unconscious OF All
| but the beautiful face before him
4 Beatrice did not speak, but as her lowers vu6s
| tel on her ear she started and some dreadful
cheek grew paler still, fierce, DARK sinfle shoi
/ across her face, her eyes cleaned with a sudden
/ light and her lips moved silently. as n she mnt-
tered spells above the flowers she woye: her lover
eagerly 10 his work, she watched the color deenen
IN his cheek the smile rise TO his lima the s,sykle
To his eye as with rapid, skillfuf hand he gave
fresh beauty 70 the fair face OF her rival and as
| sadder and heavier the load Of grief upon ne.
heart, stronger and deeper the wild Thoughts thsf
stirredi in her troubled brain. AT length she rnse
/ folded her mantel round her, and with the flower
| crown In her hand. gnded 10 the painters side,
/ saying:
Il must leave you now, Claude, but we shall
| meet to-ai0hI"
He started ike one In q dream, and with a h.ssv
WORD and careless glance babe her farewell;
| then, seeming TO remember that ne had part %
play, he TOOK her hand, saying, In o tender voice
i "Farewei, dear Bestrice, fear have been bat q
| dun companion, but Theresa leaves US soon and
would think Little Of my sxln II her picture were
for long TO see the nower-crown given. % adie1
till them
And bending down 70 snun the gaze Of hes cssa.