The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-28
BELLE BURGOYNE'S
BLUNDER.
BY FRANK H. sTAUFFER.


She was simply but neatly clad, and port
folio Law on the bench beside her.
He approached her, lifted his hat and
Kindly said:
You seem to be in distress. Can l be Of
any service to you ~
She looked up, her soft, gray eyes search
ing his bronzed, handsome face.
"Sir, have sprained my ankle, and badly
so. l am afraid she said, speaking with
considerable effort, though her voice was
none the less sweet d" l did it While clam
boring over the rocks"
"Pu order a carriage" he said.
He hailed public conveyance and gently
reIped her Into it. He seated himself OppO-
site 10 her and tried TO engage her in con-
yeFsati0n, but found her disposed u be reti-
cent perhaps because she was suffering
more likely because he was stranger.
Once or twice he caught her furuyely scan
uing his face as If she was becoming inter-
ested in him.
The discovery pleased him, for he was
very much impressed III her favor. She was
not very handsome nor especially graceful,
and yet there was something about her lace
e hat pleased, and mucu about her manner
that was lady.ke.
When they reached the cottage in which
size lived he assisted her out OF the carriage.
She did not trust TO bear her weight upon
her sprained ankle, and so she leaned heav.
~ upon him.
pretty little waiting-mad came running
,a tie door quite excited, and yet not for
getting to courtesy TO the handsome
stranger.
on. Miss Burgoyne, what has hap
pened?" she cried, her hands nervouSly
eiasped in front of her
" DO not be alarmed" her mistress said,
Il have merely sprained my ankle"
"Shall l send dOctorY' asked Mr.. Du-
brasset.
at you will be so kind" she softly said.
Also compensate the driver" she added
IS she extended her purse. -,,,
"Neyer mind" said Mr.. Dubrasset "PU
settle with him"
maria, pay the driver" ordered Miss
BurgOyne.
Tie gil took the purse and paid the man,
Who waved his hand and drove away.
May l cal TO inquire how you are get
hing along?" asked Mr.. DubraSset
The doctor Will inform you, she senten-
tiously sail.
a piqued expression came to his bronzed
face.
ri help You into the house." he said.
I'm lean on Maria" was her reply.
Her tone was firm, but not repell4nt. He
aughed softly and said:
:" consider myself sunmarily dismissed"
Miss Burgoyne was already leaning on
the waiting mad'S arm. She turned to the
=
eyes sOftenng wondr0usy.
d" Do not think me rude" she said almost
tppealingly. Il haveu't even thanked you"
Sic paused moment ana then added,
Yes, you may call"
Mr.. Dubrasset bowed aud withdrew
while Miss BurgOyne entered the house in a
labOrious way, clutching Maria tightly at
very spasm Of pain.
When he called the next day he found her
reclining in an easy chair, her bandaged foot
rptr no. 81.
with a smile and extended her small, white,
al able-looking hand.
You rested wrlIP" he asked, earnest
sYmpathy in his tone.
"Oh, yes" she replied. 1.-THE doctor saws
ri be about in a few days. Pray be seated"
The room was cosy and inviting-not
quite boudOlr and not entirely an atelier
"Oh,fyOu are al artist" he exclaimed, in
4 pleased tone.
He walked TO the easel and examined an
almost finished picture. 1t was a market
scene in Flanders. Some peasants were
'haffering with the market woman over
heir purchases. it was in the gray of the
rarly morning and candle was still sput-
.erng on the table.
THAT is very fne," he said. "Alow me-"
As re spoke he picked up brush and
Dipped 1t into the cOlOs.
'Oh, don't pleaseP she uneasily ex-
claimed, "u less
Unless l am proficient eh?" supplied
ne, with smile. You can trust me-"
A few touches and the effect was surprIs-
ing. He had simply frightened up the faces
where the beams from the candle fell upon
them.
"OhW circulated Miss Burgoyne, In de-
lighted surprise. Il tried in vain to get that
effect. All, you have geniusW
The gray eyes warmed with glow Of ap-
probation.
He laid down his brush and resumed his
seat. As they sat there and talked, they
inadvertently revealed to each other glimpsrs
Of their past lives, and when they parted
they felt as II they had known each other
for years.
'she certainly is charming" was his
practical. Reserved enough to be tautaiz-
ing; confidential enough to captivats"
Gerald Dubrasset was a man OF great
wealth. He spent his income in travelling,
and In gratifying his taste for the grand in
art and the beautiful in nature. he VS.
sOciable in disposition, and had mingled
largely with the world. he had met scores
Of women with rare charms Of mind and
person, and yet none Of them had attracted
him as strongly as this quiet, self-contained,
helpful American girl, whose acquaintance
ne had made by the veriest accident
She soon got over the latter, and he be-
came frequent visitor at the cottage. She
was always glad to see him; II she was not
demonstrative 1t was because it was not her
nature to be.
One day be noticed on her table pretty
little clay figure of a shepherd and his dog.
This is very artistic" he said.
Tits crude" she replied.
at is original" declared he. at isn't
your work, Miss Burgoyne?"
"Yes," she quietly sad. ALLOW me to
show you something better"
She STEPPED into an adjoining room and
returned with some other figures, classical
and NEUROLOGICAL. The look of admiration
TVh Nsrftf oh ha 1.l -.
heart beat faster.
The Reliable Contrablnd," he said,
reading the inscription at the base of one of
the figures. This is especially original"
ut is distinctly American" responded
Miss BurgNyne.
"Who was heP ?" asked Mr.. Dubrasset.
Quite noted character during the rebel
IiOn," replied Miss Burgoyne. He fire.
quently came into the Union camps with re-
liable information"
"Oh. Isee," laughed Mr.. Dubrasset. "And
there was good many of him, EN-? Model
to fita" N'"' % ''ui -''''' why HO' ''i'A
at is too-too trillng," she replied
beg your pardon for differing" he
said. He paused second and thea re-
sumed: Miss BurgOyne. 1t has occurred
10 me-that Is, L suspect, or rather"
Please don't stammer," she interjected,
with little laugh.
IF you are in straitened circumstances"
ne began, Win heightened color, why"
"Mr. Dubrasset" she interrupted, warn
ingly, Indignantly.
But he kept on.
you might realize handsomely from
time to time by disposing of these figures.
They ought to average you 800 forms
apiece"
"Oh, mol! Miss Burgoyne said incredu-
lously.
"There is an old vender If such articles
in the city," Mr.. Dubrasset replied. IF
you will allow me I'll have him place some
of them in his window.
'You have my permission" she slowly
rejolned. her eyes bent to the floor, the
color coming and going in her face, he
watching her with Intensified interest.
Three of the clay models were placed on
sale, and brought the sum Mr.. Dubrasset
had named.
"Why, it is wonderful she exclaimed
as she brought her hands together with girl
ISL impulsfyeness. 'Pll soon be able to
open bank account"
Z" Modelling is your endowment" he said.
A month later he told her that he was
going away, to remain for year, perhaps.
She babe him farewell, not erusiVely, but