The state herald., 1889-08-16

and walked awny like man dazed
Conc to Albany were theyP This af-
fair was certainly assuming the com.
plexity OF sphinx's riddle, and Hans
Vischcr hardly knew whether no was
standing on his head or his hoels. Ol
one thing he was sure--he would strike
while the iron was hot. He mcant tc
tako the first truin for Albany on the
morrow, and demand an explanation
he was tired OF being triied with.
Take the first train he did. nnd Mar
garet was never 80 surprised In all her
life us when she saw coming up the
garden path, Hans Vischer! Even his
eyeglasses seemed to express tho de-
Termination that lay behind them..
Murgaret had been cutting astors,
and she opened and shut her scissors
nervously, as Hans drew nearer and
nearer. She had grown pale, too, and
her breath came In quick gasps. Hans,
l regret 10 say, was selfish enough Ia
enjoy all these symptoms OF distress.
But his heart melted In moment, and
he stretched cut his hands eagerly to
Margaret.
"Oh. Margaret no said reproach.
fully. chow could you hurt me SO by
sending me this notep" holding 1t out.
What does 1t meano l do not under
stand II. You surely do not mean wha
you say-that all Is over between usP'
This Is not the denouement Hans had
planned. He had meant to be stern.
reproachfnl and unyieldiug, but some.
how all his dramatic phrases refused
TO be uttered when he looked into Mar
garcts averted, unhappy eyes.
II don't know what you think OF
yourself, Mr.. Vischer," said Margaret,
speaking in tone OF stirring scorn.
and glancing coldly ut him. But
consider you-beneath my notice."
Hans grew as pale us ashes. and his
blue eyes burned with anger and re-
sentiment For IL full minute he stood
there before her without speaking.
Margaret he said ut last. in low.
suppressed tone. '.for your sake and
mine weigh well your next remark be-
fore you utter IL. cannot stand any
more like the one just made to me.
Your conduct demands an explanation,
and will have 1t. Why did you send
me back my ring?"
''Mr. Vischer your assurance is sub
lime" said Margaret with bitter
laugh. "Pardon the suggestion. but
I'm sure you'd make your fortune on
the stage. should the goddess prove
tickle in painting. You demand an ex-
PLANTATION OF me? Go to the original OF
your Daughter OF the Gods'-she is OK
PLANTATION enough
1.-The original Of my Daughter Oi
the Gods?' Margaret, for Heavens
sake explain your meaning-I am tired
OF these mysteries! Why, you arc the
original OF that picture, and had
so the other dny, had you come to my
studio"
81 was ut your studio" said Mar
garet, look OF pcrplexity creeping
! over her fIce. There WAS picture
II your easei. iiu,. -. .-r-.aung woman
a the other room. nnd-O, Hans.
NV II all. and you have broken my
cart! Oh, what shall do! what shall ,
dor
The ..proud pale Margaret had
rokcn down Mt last. and the bitter
assionate tears triclsled through her
ngers.
"Margarct! and you believed that OF
ie? Why, that was the young French
irl. or child rather. for she Is only
hat, who has been posing for mo as
icbc. She has wrctcned time 0f II
I home with drunken father aud two
rothcrs who are no better. and she nj
Ways comes with all her troubles 10
ne. confound her! IL mean, God bless
lcr. She seems 10 think that can
elp her, though It's very little ! do.
Tho calls me her brother, her protector
and d-cr--secms 10 think II good deal
Il me-" Hans blushcd like n girl ns he
nnde this frank confession. '.Shc Ind
nd nm unusually bud time with that
ursed father Of hers, the other day,
md was-rnther Jemonstrative, In fact
don't wonder that you were little
urprised. You believe me. don't you,
earestp"
But Margaret could not answer just
hen. She had thrown herself into
ians' forgiving arms. and.was sobbing
IS II her heart would break. She did
'ot care II fifty inquisitivc maiden
Iuni's and hundred sharp-eyed
)livin's were In the windows looking
i her. To think chat shc had wronged
md hurt and insulted man so good
nd true Ms this one was? Could he
'vcr forgive her? Could she ever for
live hersclf'
"Your picture is the one ] mean TO
'xhibit. dearest. and II you like shall
end poor Marie Laruc's with It," said
Ians, a.tcr he had assured Margaret
gain and again that all was forgiven,
md that her conclusion In regard 10
ia .nndust la sh. ~ u,I In hnb ham thu |
most natural in the world. "Ah. Mar
,aret! could paint you blindfolded-l
,now every tint and curve OF your dear
ace!"-Anthony y. Anderson, In Mil
vaukcc Wisconsin.