The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1890-03-14

had studied there for three years, but
Sidney Allyard had never yet crossed the
ocean. A boyish man, full of enthusi-
asm, six years younger than Gardiner,
Sidney was holly indignant at his friends
wrong, not the less so that he had thrown
his own calf love at Agnes Warne's feet,
and been contemptuously rejected.
He was sitting in the studio few DAYS
after the interview between Gardiner and
Agnes, engaged in making lists of arti-
cles in great open packing cases standing
around him, when visitor entered, an
old gentleman of commanding presence,
and an address of formal courtesy.
''NIr. LawreneeG" the stranger in
guired.
''Mr. Lawrence is out of town"
''Soon expected back2n
''Not for several years. He is in New
York, and will sail for Europe on Satur-
day next But can write or telegraph,
il your business IS important"
The stranger was walking about slowly,
looking at the sketches on the walls, on
tables, and chairs, even upon the floor,
in preparation for packing.
mo, he said, ''if Mr.. Lawrence is
going abroad, he could not paint the por-
trait l wished to order. You have some
fine paintings here Your ownl"
''Some Of them. Some are Lawrence's;
some by our friends. Everything, as you
see, Is in confusion.
is that yoursl" said the old gentle
man, pointing to a head, most exquisitely
painted, only the head and shoulders of
beautiful woman, the hair falling loosely,
the large eyes looking dreamily forward.
mo. That Is Lawrences."
at is perfect face. Do you think
he would sell it,"
"a week ago would have told you no
money could buy it" Sidney said,
bitterly, ''but now I have no debut he
viii destroy it. 1t is a perfect face, and
it covers a black, treacherous heart"
''You interest me. Is the story a Sc
cretl"
Gan the world will know it soon. It
is not a very original story, only the old
one of money against love, with a broken
heart thrown in. The lady whose face
you admire has been my friend promised
wife for six months. A Weather man
has made her break that promise. And
yet, the engagement is not public, but it
viii soon be, and then any one in society
can tell you of the Tilted lover, who has
gone abroad to conquer his sorrow, and
leave the field clear for his rival"
oAh! Society then knew of this old
engagement. I am 4 stranger here. Ny
home is in Washington, and know but
a few members of your society; so had
not heard this interesting story, that you
say will soon be common gossip"
fWell, you see, botn parties are well
known here"
II see. regret to have missed seeing
Mr.. Lawrence, but thank you for your
most interesting little narrative. Good
morning"
"Good morning, said Sidney, return
ing to his lists, and quite ignorant of the
mischief his boyish gossip had caused.
Miss Warne, IN her latest Partisan COS
tume-a very dream of beauty-was sit
ting in her aunt's parlor, awaiting the
usual evening visit of her elderly admirer
Mrs. Pratt, her aunt, was talking in
monotonous ripple Of the trousseau al
ready in preparation, the bridal tour, the
wedding party with which she intended
to astonish society; and Agnes listened
in silence, wondering if the rumoT she
had heard that Gardiner Lawrence was
going abroad was true. A ring az the
door was followed, not by the tall, can-
figure or John Delmayne, but
by Mrs. Pratt's man servant with note.
A note opened languidly, but which |
stirred the reader to instant animation.
'Agnesln she cried, ''listen! What
horrible notel
"'MADAM: When I requested your permits (
sion to pay my addresses toyour niece, l was
totally ignorant that she was already be /
trOthed. Looking upon promise Of mar /
riage as quite as binding as the marriage !
COWS themselves, / am Mortified at my own
beg, madam, t2,yithdraw my pro (
- - - 9 :. to your l
-, l tfeas~4--5 for my 4
a--5f Most sincerely your friend,
JOHN DELsIAYNE'"
There was moment of profound 81