The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-08-03

been practicing these past months weighed upon her soul like lead To fAil in truth Co Jack was agony to her. Yet what alternative wAs theree She must earn money, and there was nothing she could do-nothing, nothingi not even the plainest of that sewing for which Jack, poor fellow credul ousy believed that she was being generously re- wArded every day.
 "You arc tired" the painter said abruptly see- ing the expression that had come into her face. He laid down his brushes and approached her. "I believe you are in some trouble"
 "You believe rightly. am"
 "I wish you would let me help" he cried i'm petuously. Something In his tone caused her to look at him sharply. Under her glance he dropped upon his knees and seized her hand.
 "You are my inspiration-my Madonna! Let me be your knightls
 It was jest, but not all lest. There was that in his eyes which Mary could not mistake. She for cibly disengaged her hand and her pale cheek turned c shade whiter.
 "PleAse listen to me attentively" she said coolly quietly, each word distinct. "I am married-and to man worship When first came here and offered myself a model did not give you my real name. It was not necessary that should. It Is not necessary that ! should now But it does appear to be necessary that you should know the truth Tn some other respects. My husband is broken in health-dying slowly under the pressure of poverty and care But did he know that the money that he thinks Is paid me by dressmAker for doing work for her-work which would be more incompetent to do than many . child of twelve-came to me through this use of such beauty as nature may have given me- the knowledge would make between a breach that could never be healed. man does not grow less proud nor less jealous and sensitive because he has fallen into ad versity. We cannot stArve-I cannot sec him want therefore have done the only thing that I could do-and deceived him. But think l can claim from you, in position not of the easiest, the spect an honorable man pays to any form of mis- fortune"
 The young man had listened with slow flush rising to his forehead. When she had finished he stepped back with low inclination of the head He was . gentleman at the bottom, and she had not appealed to him in vain.
 "I acknowledge that have been deservedly buked You will not have to remind me again. And your husband-is to be envied."
 He worked but little more, and when Mary had tied her bonnet and prepared to leave the studio he went out with her.
 "Let me put you into 6 car !" he said at the lower door.
 "Thank you-no; prefer to walk"
 He dofed his hat to her as though she had been princess, and left her. But not before their figures silhouetted in the doorway, had been seen by Jack, who for hours had been standing, lost in the moving crowd, on the opposite side of the street.
 Of such chances are our lives made up. For months he had not passed through that street, and Mary had never before that day entered left that house save alone.
 When Jack got home the evening was far spent. Mary worn out with anxious watching, had fallen into a itful sleep in a chair His silent presence beside her reused her nervously.
 "Jack," she cried, conscious of some strange change in him, what is it?"
 "Nothing"
 "Yon 30 late"
 "I found something to do. Something that had to Do done. We won't talk now. I am very tired Won't you lie down and sleep?"
 "ADd your"
 "I am not quite ready. Presently"
 She laid her arms about his neck and kissed him on the lips.
 "Good- night my dear, dear love-"
 He suffered the caress mutely.
 An hour later policeman passing on his beat stopped abruptly as the sharp reports Of two pistol shots rang through the night.