Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-24

- Chs pulled out hall . dossn kaar
pins, and = great glory Of molten goat
fell in luxuriant ~a<es upon her shoul
ders
She gave me twenty sittings for thai
portrait wa. nadly. passionately
desperately in love with her but never
breathed word Of il We became great
friends. We talked unreservedly to each
other iusl Is II we had known each Other
Ali our lives-aImoss as IL we had beer
brother and sister | suppose il ws
ezmaraderie.
Once. and once only. made m ass Of
myself
Il must be finished bs the twen-
tieth,- she had sAii: 1.-The twenty first |:
his birthday
.Iwish it could never be finished
replied passionateiy: Il wish COULD
stand here painting you all my life.
The pretty smile faded from her face,
and she pulled me up At once.
You mustn't say anything to me.
Mr. Stippler. il you please. that you
wouldn't say il Lord Wallsend himself
were here by my side"
apoiogized: felt that was brute.
had Iunched with Miss Vivian: it was
nv farewell visit to her. The portrait
was finished-it WAS my masterpiece,
Jack-and it stood upon an easel in its
bright new frame in the middle of the
room
The table had been cleared: thank
heaven for that!
play to me. Mr.. Stippler," she said
In . voice that went straight to my
heart; I'm terribly low spirited. Play
something cheerful"
sat down to the little cottage Erard,
and did As I was bid. played niger
melodies; played dance music; and
then, somehow or other, l drifted to
Home, Sweet Home" and then felt q
utterly miserable that broke down.
turned on the stool towards Lottie. and
saw that her eyes were full Of tears-
Don't, George, don't, she said: don't
60 on. can't bear it"
She called me by my Christian name
for the first and the last time.
And then there came tap at the door
and hoarse. croaking voice grated out
May l come in?'
GOOD heavens! it's his lordship, cried
Lottie Vivian. land am ruinedr
But | saved her. though If l hadn't
been prompt she would never have mar.
ried hun. and she might-yes. by Jove
perhaps have become my wife afteI
ell Stranger things have happened. Bul
l treasured her by q glance. and she tool
her cue at once.
| She was an actress, remember.
flung off my coat, whipped out thu
front board Of the piano. ! buried my
face among the hammers, and begsr
striking single notes upon the keys.
Come in. said Miss Vivian. and hi
lordship entered.
II hope don't intrude." he said.
And then l, too. thought of Paul Pry.
Wallsend," said Miss Vivian
And then they began to chat in whisp
err.
"Faughl how the fellow smells of to
baccor croaked Paul Pry-I mean hi
lordship.
Man" he said. addressing me. "yo1
can 60"
Iput on my coat
Where's your hat mann said hi
lordship, suspiciously.
I'm the all. SIR" l replied, carefully
dropping the "h."
1--WE put it at concert pitch, miss"
said; It'll be five shillings. please" ant
l held out my hand. There was CRATE
full twinkle in her eyes as she gave mt
two half crowns Ihave them still. thos,
two half crowns.
went up to my rooms and shaved of
my beard and mustache. have nevel
spoken to Lottie-I mean Lady Wall
send-from that day to this, but she al
ways notices me, and her husband 10 on,
Of my stanchest patrona
Lady Wallsend's carriage passed. Sh,
bowed politely to me and of went my
hat.
"She's sumner, said my nephew.
II hope she u happy said l. with ,
sigh. London World.