Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-06-14


do quickly, for this winter I mean Il
give a ball at nv new house, and ever,
one who is anybody must be there. Al
ter that | shall be at home and can AZ
tend TO my own business. l am goiht
TO build u school Of art"
Olympia Immediately forgot her hest
tatious. That's good news she eX
claimed. There is nothing | could dc
sire more. But what will be the plar
of it?"
Il knew you were fond OF art" ob
served the count, looking curiously a
her. II will not say your little pictures
are beyond criticism, but there is some
thing in them that like, and that rem
ders them very valuable to me. But
didn't know that your interest in the ad
vancement of art lay so near your
heart"
Il once had Il very dear friend who
was an artist, and was thinking more
of him than of myself She drew 4
signing breath, but did not blush. 81
canimagine what he would have wished
and | should be glad TO see it done"
This friends not now liying?'
said the count gently.
He died nearly three years ago"
And you still think of him and wish
10 see his dreams realzed?' The count
spoke these words in an undertOne, and
rather as if communing with himself
than addressing Olympia. 1T will give
me pleasure. mademOiselle," he con
tnued, in another voice, ito know that
in carrying out my projects | am also
fulfilling the desires of one who wa,
dear to YOU"
She had listened with rising color and
sparkling eyes. 1T would be glorious"
she cried, pressing her hands together.
But can it be dOne?"
"Many poorer man than | could do
rs much as this he replied. There is
capital enough in this country engaged
I in spreading industries and developing
resources. Civilization can spare me
what | need for this hobby Of mine; and
perhaps a future Generation will think
me less unwiSe than the present one. .
The count had become moved beyond
/ his won't by the train of thought he was
| INDUCING, and had risen from mis- chair,
and was pacing up and down the room.
/ At this juncture his attention happened
TO be attracted to portrait that hung
in an alcove at the left of the window.
| Ii was an admirable likeness of Olym-
pia herself.
All" he exclaimed, stopping short.
He remained silent and motiOnless for
several moments, but finally said III an
/ Indifferent tone: This is a good work.
Is it your own?"
"Oh, no. | cannot paint like that, "
she replied. THAT was painted by my
friend, the artist. IL was the last thing
he did before his death"
"A good work." repeated the count.
Are you willing TO dispose of it? You
can name your own price for it. Frank
/ ~. | have taken fancy TO it,"
Il cannot sell it," said Olympia. at
is the most precious thing to me in the
world"
The count continued to look at the
portrait, but his face slowly redeemed.
You will pardon me, mademoiSelle, "
he said in a low voice. 81 had not sup
posed that you had"-he hesitated-
that you had conSecrated yourself TO q
memory. Our friends are dear 10 us
while they remain with uS-we love
them-but when they are gone, and
years have passed since their departure
the sentiment becomes less controlling.
1t is three years, you say, since this man
died. May say that it seems 10 have
been remarkable friendShip?'
1t was not common friendship,
Count de LSle, and there was never
any one like Keppel Darke. II you
knew what he"
"Keppel Dark" Interrupted the
count. Il have heard the name. Yes,
il was your friend Mr.. Bannick who
spoke of him. y sad story, Indeed.
He killed Harry Trent, an old acquaint-
ance Of my own. Aud you were his
friend. madem0iselle? l caa see that
he possessed taleht, but that he deserv-
ed your regard, that seems strange"
Count de Li,le, " said Olympia, rising
up in angry Indignation which she found
! il hard to control, you don't know what
YOU are saying, and that is your only
excuse. Keppel Darke died an innocent
man. He was not my friend orly;
| loved him. I told him so when l last
saw him. and if he were alive | should
be now his wife. That portrait is the
/ last thing he painted, it is the only thing
| of his that is left TO me. Do you think
I would part with it? But you di3 not
know or you would not have dared tO
speak SOL
The Count de LiSle listened with his
head bent, and without answering he
moved to the window and stood looking
ont. After while he turned and leaned
with his back against the sill.
''MademOiSelle," he said, Il am glad
to believe that Keppel Darke was limo
cent. | do believe it, for am sure that
you could not have loved man who
was capable OF such crime; but Mr.
Bannick told me he was not executed
Are you certain that he is dead?'
ellis body was found chained to the
officer who was taking him to prison
/ oh. if there were any Doubt" She
pressed her hands together and her lips
/ trembed.
"Of course there can be none. Bu
had he lived you would have been hi:
wife"
She covered her face with her hands
and then dropped into her chair ant
leaned her head against the back of it
The count stood looking down at her
He took off his Eyeglasses, and his pow
erful dark eyes were bent upon hel
with an intense expression. His lip.
were parted as to speak. But at thai
moment a sound of voices was audible
in an adjoining room. Mrs. Baunicl
and Mrs. Raven had returned from
their shopping expedition. The coun
recovered himself in an instant.
Il will do myself the honor to cal
again. Miss Raven, he said. Forgive
me for having disturbed you. | hope
you will think of me as your friend.
And then, as the ladies opened The
door, he bowed 10 them silently anC
tremendously and went out.