The Dickinson press., 1889-08-17

v "Let mo be the
judge of that" she answered. "May l
come now and look!"
She rose up from her chair, the one
easy chair of which Paul Norton's "den"
--hc never called it his "studio"-could
boast. The folds of her fawn colored
dress. some soft, clinging material-she
always loved soft Oriental fabrics and
subtle shades of color-swept the floor
noiselcssly. as she glided round to the
front Of the easel; and her own face, life
size. life colored, ripe and real" looked
back at her from the canvas as from
mirror He had not idcalized her; he
had bu, portrayed with graphic realism
those straight and harmonious features,
almost purely classic in their outline
the face of a pure egg shaped oval, "les-
seninS in perfect cadence" from broad,
low brow to clear cut chin; tho cream
white skin and crimson lips; the hair
like woven sunshine, contrasting with
the long dark lashes.
Lucy Williams had left tho bloom of
her first youth behind, but the rounded
oval of her cheek, smooth and clear rs
the firm white petals of the lily, stood in
no need of rose bloom to add to its fair
ness 1t was the face of woman-and
a woman who had lived, not merely
grown and bloomed like the lilies of the
teld-the face of a goddess to Paul Nor
toms mind-that was framed in the
waves Of girlish golden hair; and those
eyes. the deep, dreamy eyes, of 4 peculiar
dark and luminous gray, that were to
him the eyes of an angel, another man,
who was only half in love with her, had
been heard to call the eyes of sphinx;
and wished they were as unfathomablo
and secret as they We're darlily lovely.
SO you think it does not do me JUS
ticc:'' she said, smiling.
No. have missed something-a look
you have sometimes-an expression
have not seized
She cast one keen, subtle glance at
him from under her long yelling eye
lashes. Yes. it was true that he had
missed something; but what he had
missed was the shadow that lurked in the
depths of her soft, secret eyes-the
shadow of tragic memory. of dark fore
boiling
You have missed nothing that !
wished to see there she replied. III
wish always lookcd-like that. You
have taken me with my happicst express
sion
81 cannot bear to see any other ex-
preston OH your face" he said, gravely
on4 tendcrly.
a soft, half sad snilo just parted her
beautiful lips.
Well, shall always look My bast and
brightest here" she remarked, lightly
touching the canvas with her finger
Your brightest is only sort of soft
moonlight. Sunshine-the garish light
of day-docsn't seem to be the thing for
you the mellow, mysterious moonlight
is your light" he said with sort of Low,
ing reverence u am sorry it is fin
ished," he added-"sorry our sittings are
over.
Why she asked, dropping the little
monosyl liable gently as fallen rose leaf
They have been the means of our
being SO much together. have beer
able to see so much of you alone"
You can always see melville VIC
are under the same roof.
'Ycs-while; but how long will tina,
be-
You are not going away-yet!" she
asked with touch Of interest, even OF
anxiety, stirring her habitual ianguor
IF l could only think you cared a
little whether ] stay or go!" he cx'
claimed seizinS her hand Lucy
I ,,-i
have loved-you, but think none car
ever love you as do. l would like te
die for you. Iwould far rather die thar
live without you
Her deep, soft dreamy eyes dwell
with a sort of tender, yet half bitter
sadness on his face
You say you love me" she replied
And yet you know nothing Of me-not
even who | am. nor where came
from.
And ! do not care to know, if only
you will stay with me" he answered
passionatcly "Let me have part il
} your future, and forget your past. Lei
it be blotted out like dream, if te
think OF it gives you pain, l know
Lucy, that though you live SO swcetly
and contentedly among my people here
a you are not of them. You come from ;
: different world to theirs-ours.
"If do" she rejoined moro bitterly
u only wish to forget it,
:. Lucy. he pleaded. eagerly, "coulc
you not forget it-with Inc: All, you
don't know how would cherish you il
you would trust your life to mel Yol
have been unhappy, know. You have
sutfered-I can read it in your eyes. L
you loved-yet what am ! that 20,
should love me::'
"Ah what indeed:" she asked, with
curling lip Of tender scorn, looking down
80 that her long laEhes yelled her eyes
you are only-only the truest, mobiles
heart ever met"
You say that, Lucy:" he rejoined
eagerly. Say only one word more
Oh, my darling, il you think so of nj
indeed. say the one word more"
"One word: she repeated with {
mournful smile "Ah, there would bt
many words to say between us if-ii
r.
But only one 1 caro- to hear" he
urged. as she faltered. Say only that
you will marry me-"
81 cannot-l cannot-not at once-no
so suddenly" she replied, with sup
pressed agitation.
"It is not suddenly" he protested. g:
have made no secret of my love; 20,
have known it we'll; you cannot be takel
by surprise today"
"Give me till tomorrow" she said.
NO Answer mo now. If you d.
; not care for me today, will you to-mor
3 row? And if you do, why torture M
uitL a whole lonr dav and ninht of Sis