The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-30

preliminaries in order to avid DELAY to-
morrow. My name is Boyden. and I
am staying at the Brevoort House in
Fifth avenue. Am asking too much,
| pcrhaps"
mot at all, Mr.. Boyden; 1 viii call
with pleasure"
About 8 o'clock, then? dine out
this evening, and iss Il Z Z ss-s.ouiti Do DELAYED
few mingtes, you will not mind wait
ing, will you?"
Rupert was about TO- assure him that
he might take his own time in the mat
ter, when to his annoyance he saw his
visitors hand outstretched towards the
cashmere that hid his Madonna from
view, and ere he could offer the least
remonstrance, the sloth. had fiuttered
to the floor and the portrait of little
Oracle Garland stood revealed in all
it's startling rcsa :,
4 70 caIs2S zszsnSsagSe efEpas e ssc6S cbSSs been
and catch his breath in an audible gasp
Of surprise.
Quick as lightning, though he could
scarcely have explained it, the young
lovf's suspicious were aroused.
DO you recognize the face, Mr..
B%den p he asked with bated breath.
Boyden had recovered his composure,
for he replied with utter sang froid:
! No; only wish i did. Why do
lEou ask 2"
I II thought you seemed struck by it" Z"
/ so am. It is one of the most
beautiful faces il has ever been nv
fortune to oslook upon. Is it ideal?"
No; it is the portrait of friend"
"A friendl All, Mr.. Arnim, I con-
gratulate you. Undoubtedly you are
painting it con 1Dlore."
Falling heudlong into the trap 40
cleverly prepared for him, Rupert
blushed to the roots of his fair hair as
he replied: e{
Not necessarily, sir; the Young lady
len friend OF the sfamiiy-in fact she Ia
one of our household"
Happy man r. emurmured Boyden.
with well-feigned regret, as he stooped
and replaced the cashmere; II should
grow envious of yer ;sI looked at it
long. Well, then, this evening. Az
| reUoir!"
And with the charming nod and
smile of which he was perfect master,
Mr.. Max Boyden took his leave.
Translated to the seventh heaven of
delight, Rupert Arnim went bounding
like great schoolboy through the mar
row little hall and burst into the
kitchen with a glad cry Of:
| Mother! Graciel Congratulate me
have an order for portrait!"
Both women turned from their work
with start of happy surprise.
An order for q portrait, Rupert u
exclaimed Mrs. Arnim.
"Of rich person, I hope" interposed
little Oracle, .s 1. ..
ooh, yes; I think 50 r. replied the
artist; "he was dressed in the height
of fashion, had beautiful ring on each
hand, and lives ct the Brevoort House
In Fifth avenne. Oh, I'm sure I've
struck it rich this time, mother!"
What is the gentleman's name, my
boy?"
"Boyden."
Oracle turned pallid TO the lips and
leaned heavily backward upon a table
for support.
Oracle, my childp exclaimed the
good woman; "you are ill"
No, no." faltered the girl, quickly
passing her hand across her eyes, as
though for moment stricken with
blindness; "only faint from-from the
heat of the room
ut is too warm here" assented Mrs.
Arnim. Rupert, open the window,
and do you go into the studio where it is
cooler, Oracle; i can finish the work. I"
No, Mrs. Aipdm, pleaded Oracle;
please lsssm6 remain witt, You; Won
see am all right again." And turn
ing to young Arnim with a smile that
completely disarmed his passing sus-
picion, she added: II congratulate
You, Rupert. When do you begin the
work 2"
AT once-to- morrow. am to go
to the Brevoort House this very even
ing to settle the preliminaries.
"Oh, I'm sorry for that" interposed
Mrs. Arnim, quickly, "for we shall he
obliged to leave Oracle alone in the
house. 1 have promised to go over to
the east side to see q sick friend-Mrs.
Arnold, you know"
"Gracie can 60 with you," said
Rupert. rs
"No, put in the girl. "I had much
rather remain at home. You will not
be gone long, and / have plenty of
sewing to do" :"
rDo as you plesse, y said the artist !;
"if you are here you can receive par.
Gel OF paints (which have ordered
from doy.Nssto9ih n Y Y Z, -. !. -
"Certainlyf fon see it is better the
house should not be left alone"
Perfect confidence having been re-
stored, the remaining hours Of the day
fled by upon glancing wing, and all too
soon the shades of evening closed in
dark and drearily about the little house
in Harlem.
BY eight o'clock both mother and
son had departed upa:i ::.eif respective
eITands. and with the curtains drawn
close little Oracle sat alone beside
the shaded lamp in the studio. In
her lap her sewing lay neglected, and
with her great violet eyes fixed upon
vacancy she seemed lost in thought.
Suddenly sharp ring at the door
bell aroused her with painful start
from her reyerie, and she rose, laying
her work in the chair.
"The parcel Of paints for Rupert"
she said, by way Of giving herself cour-