The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-10

lists who came to see it declared it perfect.
The night before it was to go Rufo was OUT
spending the evening with some friends, and
inadvertently left the key in the door OF his
studio. During his absence some one, actu-
ated no doubt by jealousy of his dawning
success, entered the room, and taking
brush and color5 from tho stand where he
had thrown them, added some finishing
touches to the painting with such good effect
that"
'Nita, you do not mean you were never
ony OF fear and horror.
The girl raised her eyebrows in affected
surprise. "I?" sho said cooly. "Oh dear
me, no? / am no artist. Pray do not give
me the honor Of having completed your
guondam lovers sterpcce-compcteI i
30 successfully, too, that it was not sent 10
Rome after all, doubtless being too perfect"
Genna drow IL long doep BREATH and looked
at her in silence. Speech utterly failed her.
Almost she doubted her own senses lis sh,
listened to the heartess words.
'.Tnut is all know OF Rufo," continued
Nita. "I believed he has never painted
since. He has lost all heart, they say, in his
work, and is poor and i'll, and almost starv-
ing"
"Oh, peace peace for Gods sake p inn
plored Genna, with piteous entreaty that
might have moved any heart less callous and
selfish than Nitas. "Do not make Yourself
utterly vile in my sightl What have ever
done to you that you should torture me
thusr'
For one moment Nita paused, a faint
shadow OF regret softened her face, then rs
suddenly she mastered herself, and spoke in
the old. cold, insolont way once more. 81
do not SEQ in what way am vile, rs you call
it," she said. "'If have attained my ends
by crooked means, yet still it is better to
attain than to miss them. I wanted to be
rich and great am BOTH"
"And happy?"
She colored slightly. Happy enough"
she answered at last.
"How did you meet your husband?" asked
Genna sternly
81 did not meet him-he sought me. A
great painter here painted mo as Phryne.
He saw it. 1 told you he was an Italian
nobleman-ho is old-sevonty years and
more-and no was mad for me. would lis
ten to nothing; at last he offered to make
me his wife--I consented to that. Have not
done well?"
"Was tho painter not Rufo?" asked Genna,
turning her eyes from the radiant, trium-
phant face, that now bore for her shame 50
intolerable-a story so sad.
"Rufo! how you do harp on that name.
No! it was Il great painter who promised mo
gold and fame if would but let him put me
on his canvas. He was right have won
both! /"
Genna looked coldly ut her. 'You can
boast of your shame" she said. "Did you
never think of his sutfering-of minor
81 did not forget you" she said; "but for
him-I told you'll hate him."
"What has he done that you should do so?"
asked Genna as she paused.
"Donep' cried Nita, contemptuonsly
"Nothingl But wanted to show him was
not the fool he imagined-not to be taken
up and cast down at his caprice-nop'
"And for that you have wrecked his lifel"
Nita flushed hotly at the words. "Nop
she said flercaly, "not for that, but because
him alone of all men 1 loved-and he de-
spised me-"
Genna stood there quite quiet. Her face
was white and still, her hands were cold as
ice, her bosom rose and fell with the slow,
painful breath that forced itself through her
lips. sit is of no use to rebuke or reproach
you" she said. 81 have loved you-cared
for you. But am sorry sought you here.
You have given me my reward. Farewellp
'You are jealous of my good fortune, I
see." scoffed Nita, as she saw the proud erect
figure moving to the door with dignity of
fearlessness that gave it grace beyond her
own. "Ot course you envy met is but
natural"
At those words Genna turned. envy your
L pity you with all my heart, rs 1 never
pitied mortal in all this wide earthl"
And with no further look or word she left
her.