Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-01
CHAPTER XVIII.

Though The Clearing in an Ameri-
can Forest had not progressed as rap
idly as he could have wished, it had
progressed, and well. St. Lawrence
was both too true an artist and too con-
SCIentlOuS workman to leave any
part unsatisfactory or incomplete. If
any portion of the painting had not
pleased his fastidious taste. out it had
been taken, sometimes again and again,
until it had fallen into just harmony
and proportion. 1t was now all but fin
ished
But to-day he could not work; he did
not even attempt it. When he returned
to the house he wrote a letter to Ber-
tina, giving the story of his love from
the beginning telling her how in the
first instance he had been attracted by
Lena's beauty, but how SOOn-even
during the first evening of their ac-
quaintance-he had recognized her own
finer nature. He told her how for
Douglass sake he had Striven to keep
his love within the bounds of friend
ship, and how utterly he had failed; and
how he had felt it necessary to remain
away lest he should be tempted to the
betrayal of feelings he thought then he
had no right to entertain. All this and
much more he wrote, ending by implOr-
ing her to trust him, however appear
anCeS might be for time against him
however mysterious his conduct might
seem to be.
The rain came down heavily as he
ran out to post his letter; but there
We're some at any rate who set the
weather at defiance, for about three
o'clock in the afternoon a carriage
stopped at the door, and knock re-
sounded through the quiet no Sc. st.
Lawrence gave no heed; there were
other dodgers, and few visitors came to
him. He had never sought society. and
was as yet but little known Steps
We're heard ascending the stairs, how
ever, and after a tap at his door. the
servant threw it open, and announced
Lord Alphington.o
Had a bOmb-Shell burst in the room
st. Lawrence could scarcely have looked
more startled. The sketch he was
about to place in the portfolio dropped
from his band. and he stood for mo-
ment as II sUruCK QumU. lie soon, now
ever, recovered his self-poSSeSsion, and
with his usual graceful courtesy ad-
vanced to meet his visitor.
Mr.. st. Lawrence. | believe" said
Lord Alphlngton, who had been scruIl-
nizing the young man keenly.
st. Lawrence bowed assent.
Il have heard of your talent as a
landscape painter" the Earl resumed;
land. as | wished to meet with a pic
ture to suit certain niche in a room at
Alphington Park, l have taken the lib
erty of calling
He turned toward the picture on III
easel, but film as of starting tear
blurred the object before him.
Have you vet disposed of this, ma.
| aSk?n he said.
mo. my lord. = St. Lawrence replied
1T is not yet finished; so that, as a
matter of course, have not yet put it
forward for exhibition
Lord Alphington took a chair. and
sat down before the picture-Sat long,
as If examining 1t carefully; but as he
gaZed at the canvas other and widely
different pictures presented themselves
to his minds eye.
st. Lawrence stood. one hand resting
upon the back of a chair near him.
UncOnsciouSly he had assumed the very
attitude of the portrait in MagnuS
Square. The light fell full on his hand
some. manly face, set off in some de-
gree perhaps by the careless grace of
his painters attire. Lord Alphington
looked up from the picture, sigh came
from his breast, his pale cheeks flushed.
What sum do you ask for thisI" he
said, slight culver in his voice.
Il thought of asking two hundred
pounds for it, my lord St. Lawrence
replied, something of repreSSed emo
ton on his face. and in his voice also.
1t is good-yery good" said Lord
Alphington. Il should like to become
its poSSeSSor. You viii be equally at
liberty to exhibit it. | should be doing
You an injury To prevent that. But you
undervalue it. l think
He drew his check-book from his
pocket. and, going to the table on
which the inkstald stood. he wrote
cheque for three hundred pounds, which
he handed to St. Lawrence