The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-09

/ NCtllD NC WlOCul14H tdCOt uEdHA dlQ COLI
ored with all the fcr~or of an art which
loves, smiling from Ernst's canvas. The
younger blushed and bridlcd with ioy to
SEQ herself there and so beautiful; the
elder wore a fixed, mechanical smile, and
said repeatedly, "What an excellent like
nessi"
He had never put Janet's face into his
creations. She did not blame him for
that; she believed that he could do moth
ing agreeable with it; she surveyed her
self in the glass and sighed, II am so
uglyl" But to see Nellie en- that easel,
painted by his hand and painted SO well,
it was driving a dagger into her beating
heart.
That very day Ernst, in a fit of noble
remorse and self sacrifice, said to Janet
in private, II wish you would let me in
form Nellie of our troth plight. / think
it would be PETER"
She grew SO faint, under the terrible
revelation which he had unintentionally
made. that for q moment she could not
answer him; and even when she spoke, it
was only to ask for delay.
..Stopl" she said, pressing her hands
upon her eyes. LET me think. / must
consider this"
Hc offered to slide his arm around her
waist in his usual caressing style; but
she gently stopped him, looked earnestly
in his face, smiled with an unspeakable
p~iteousness, and gently glided away; her
whole manne saying, "Ah, my darlingl
you don't wish to do it. and why do you
do it2'
'tIs it possible that she gomprehends
met" thought Ernst, folding his arms and
shaking his head with the air of a man
who is trying to stand firm against him
self. He appreciated fully the self abne-
cation and heroism of Janet's character;
he knew that if he once confessed to her
that he did not love her, she would in
stantly free him from his engagement;
and there was the image of Nellie plead
ing with hin for his sake, if not for hers
also, to make the confession. He shook
his head and set his teeth until he had
faced down the temptation, and had de-
cided that, whether Janet permitted it or
not, he would inform her cousin of the
betrothal.
But during the day, while superintend-
ing her classes with her usual conscien-
tious thoroughness, Miss Holcum also
came to a decision. On reaching home in
the afternoon she sent Nellie out on some
distant errand, and then walked slowly
up to Ernst's room.
"My tear Chanetl I am so glad to see
you'll" he said, coming towards her with
extended hands and his sweetest smile.
"My poor child, you look tired" he added,
glancing pityingly at her unusually pale
face. "There, sit down, und take some
rebose. Do you see my bicture2 I have
made some changes"
Raising her patient eyes to the canvas,
Janet perceived that the portrait of Nellie
had been so altered as to be no longer
moa1rwo.oLJa u T1,-oILsao. 18TH Contamination,
for this man, who could divine her heart
SO perfectly, and who could do what must
have been hateful to him at the mere bid
ding of his sensitive conscience, she rose
up with suddenly flushed cheeks, seized
both his hands, printed n hot kiss on
his smooth, white forehead, and then
drew back, holding him at arms length,
in order to worship him.
ernst, / know what you have done"
she said, firmly. 81 thank you for your
noble intentions. But sacrifice for sacri-
feel 1t is my turn now. Ernst, my own
darling, we must separate. | was born
for you, but you were not born for me.
We must end this engagement. must
end it, or despise myself, do end it. I
break it. You are free. Therei"
She tore herself away from him and
attempted to rush out of the room.
"Chanetl Chanetl" he called, spring
ing after her and seizing her in his arms.
eft must not pc so. You IRE the noplest
woman on earth. l worship you. I can
not lose you"
"0h, don'tl" implored Janet, looking
up at him in despair, for he was taxing
her almost beyond her strength. After a
moment, raIying all the power of her
soul, she added: ''See here, Ernst! let US
r-ooI- 4Io 4u1th M xrO1 Inua mr. haftnrs
/ than you love any one elsef"
How could he have the seeming cruelty
to answer her "No?" He did what most
gentle hearted men would have done--he
told her Q pitying, self sacrificing false
hood. He'said, lido"
Seewas too clear sighted to be deceived,
and too high souled to accept an unwil-
ing heart.
SLook at this Bible, Ernst" she con-
tinued, drawing from her pocket a little
Testament that never quilted her Put
your hand upon it," and here, Selling his
fingers, she clasped them around the book.
"Now tell me whether you love NE better
than any other"
"You trife me into a CORNER" replied
the artist piteously. well, I swear. /
swear that I resbect unit atmire you more
than other human peing. Is it not
enough?"
"Do you love Nellie?"
'Sheis so like he stammered.
swell, she will soon DO in love with
you," said Janet, with a last supreme
effort. ''Take her. Make her happy"
She had been leaning away from him.
She now turned, with the revulsion of a
hillow, threw her arms around his neck,
covered his face with kisses and tears,
and +hnr onaa 1nora 1aanaJ hncIr from him