The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1890-11-06

portrait.
''Now, would like very much to have
you and Mrs. Tenshall meet nav little
star, but have nothing to say about il.
Il rests entirely with her, and she has
positively refused to make any acquaint-
ances. These professional women, you
know, have to be kumored, but Miss
/ Neville, I am convinced, has a reason for
,s1ahing to avoid people, and as she is
not well, feel compelled 70 respect her
wishes"
| Henshall was pretending 10 portray
the musician one morning when this
conversation took plGce, and at this re-
| buff his brows knitted, his heart sank
/ and his brush fell from his hand
| ''Nen, of course, Herr Opper don't
wish to seem impertinent, but / met
| Miss Neville several times in New York"
| You did," interjected the musician.
| That is, ] saw her-heard her play,
and have seen her every night during
this engagement. My reason for asking
to be presented is that wish to make a
| picture Of her for the next Academy.
| She is the most beautiful creature /
| have ever seen or dreamed Of, and if I
could only paint her l believe the pict-
ure would make me famous
The model. who was playfully dove
! failing his fingers, offering no answer
| further than mild Endorsement of the
compliment to the girls beauty, it sud
denly occurred to Henry that it might
be p'licy to get the assistance Of Lena.
and excasing himself he went to call
her.
While he was away Oppcr got up to
stretch his legs. and in the circuit of the
| imprOvised studio came upon n small
folio, which carelessly opened revealed a
sketch done on business card that fair
! ly took his breath away
Miss Neviller' he muttered to him.
self. Then this is the william she has
been trying to avoid ever since we left
New York! Ny God. and have been
telling him about her. Another. Three!
Two more! As I live, there is nothing
else. And l was seriously thinking to
nave this man paint her from life Well,
well, well! this is great luck. i must go;
this is something remarkabler'
| a few moments later, when Henshall
returned with his wife to propose an in
v1tarlon for supper party, he was sur
| pTisei to find the room vacant.
There was no sign of Herr Opper in the
iaall, and as the elevator was at the bot
tom of the shaft he wisely concluded
that his visitor had gone. The next
thing was to send playfully petulaut
note after him by messenger, and urge
the Importance of an early sitting for the
next morning. The reply dumfounded
him
/ Herr Opper would not be able to keep
the appointment nor make another until
| his return to New York.
At the concert that night the manager
could not be seen, and when he had been
repulsed third time Henry fell to
thinking with such fierce energy that he
did not notice the burly detective in
evening dress who followed him into the
hall and occupied the seat adjoining his.
When Dr. Watson reached Chicago
and came face to face with his wife and
his antagonist he was 1nomentarily
| stunned.
Course the luck. he thought TO him
self. ''There are four sleepers in the train,
but only one dining car and no matter
how calculated it would be awkward.
There's no use figuring. l can't do it.
And he instantly became solicitous for
his patient.
My dear sir, what is it? Speak" put
ting one hand on the old mans shoulder
and taking his pulse with the other.
you are pale, your eyes are CLASSY and
you're chilled. Forgive ms, dear Mr.
Crawford, the run from New York has
been too much for you. We should have
laid off at Detroit. Bat Wen make
amends here
And before the astonished~ old gentle
man could recover his senses at this IN
expected burst OF, interest Dr. Watson
signalled a porter to conduct him to the
waiting room while he went to over
take Miss Brown, who had already ar
ranged her section for the journey.
My dear" he said, taking her by the
arm, I've changed my mind; come out
on the platform, want to speak to you" ;"
anxious to avoid the possible recognition
of his wife. Mr.. Crawford is not well,
and l have decided to stay over until to-
morrow, but YOU can go on alone.
Here's the letter and the tickets, and
here's some money for your expenses
| ''Go to Miss Crawford at once, and
$500 spot cash if you catch the bird
and hold her until we arrive. If any
thing happens I'll wire you and sign the
message Brother so as not to arouse
any suspicious in the mind of Miss Edna
should she chance to see it. That's all,
| guess. Good-by, sister. Won't you
shake hands? Well, have it as you like.
Be good to yourself and look sharp
The bags and travelling blankets were
hardly gathered up when the bell rang,
the cry OF ''all aboard" was heard and
the train steamed out of the depot
DIR. Watson called a carriage and or
dered the driver TO take them TO the Pal
mer house.
By way of sustaining his apprehen-
sions for the welfare of Mr.. Crawford.
who was in reality very much prostrated
from the fatigue of the journey, the doc
tor conducted him to the Turkish bath
and had him steamed, rubbed and rolled
until he was nearly dead. He had to be
carried to his room on a strescheT, where
he remained through the entire week.
Message after message was wired tc
Miss B-own during the week without
getting any answer il reply.
Suddenly one day the treachery Of the
woman flashed through the doctors
mind, and he dashed OFF dispatch, and
marking it rush" he carried it down te
the rotunda Of the hotel.
The dispatch was addressed to Louise
Neville. It read:
! Come at once. Your father is dying
DIR. WATSON"