The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-24


Dirt1res Probably a painfuly- crucihcd Christ
4 doll-iaced Madonna in red aud blue ign
ID hurt his eyes even TO think OF H. over bholo
on the sand that girls pose was superb mag
nifccntl
stand still. Just a second, my duchess, and
III put you down on paper he sald alouu'
seZiUg pencil aud sSetchlng rapulg.
pshaw What an idiot! Why couldnt she
remain quiet moment?
JIG Auug aside pencil and paper, lt anoIher
cigar and leaning back in a chair WIN "a ire
mondous yawn put both feet up on the WINDOW
sill
That Creenish tint IN the Sky was really very
good. little dali perhaps, YET
beggars voice below addressed it'eli APP
pealingly 10 his feet. BeiaR rather modest
young man, he took them down ana put OUT
his head instead Great heavens lie drew
back with "A shudder from the deiormeu 'reA-
ture below. Ho thrust bis hand into has pocket
Tor some money.
'Hereln he said, tossing it out, but with eyes
Byerled
Physical deiOmity made a coward OF hlm ms
nothing else could He rose now and paced the
room, feeling Jared and uHstTung. Really,
such q creature ought TO have enough consld-
Grafton for other people 10 put himself out o.
the way.
Yet he hoped the fellow hadn't noticed his
repugnance. il might have hurt his feelings
He paused before his wite's picture. To ham
she was an exquisite representation OF lhe
beauty Of the art he loved.
Daphne do You believe me weak fool z p"
but he smiled confidently. Yes, he would iol-
low her 70 the end Of his life, in worship OF her
light hands, her delicate feet her whole being
adorable aud perfect as a dream.
servant entered with q letter from her.
She was away on a visit. Sometime had elapsed
since last hearing from her. IL had worried
him. How thick the letter was ;! The address
was written uneycnly. With feeling OF IN
eEpliCable tenderness la which mingled bali
fear he opened and read il eagerly in the deep
eniug twilight,
There had been an accident. She, his wife,
was injured, not even dangerously; only her
beauty was destroyed forever
" TO think that ] am hideous, SCARED !" she
went on land loved my beauty So for your
sake, Jasper Last night sat alone thinking,
thinking, when suddenly glanced mp TO sec a
horrible, distorted face opposite me. ] was
weak and nervous screamed so that the whole
household came rushing into my room. When
told them what ! had seen, they looked 40
each other pityingy. Some one said Poor
OreatureI
"To think that be meant me, Jasper who
have always been so proud Then they said
the face was mine reflected IN the mirror. IL
seemed very ridiculous ] laughed. They
thought 4 WAS going mad. Someone was here
to-day aud talked OF the vanity Of the Gcsh.
lie said my SCARED face did not matter ii j had
righteous spirit he had q smooth voice; he
talked constantly.
Z" Al last told him II De did not 20 would
Kill him. So lie went. but said FIRST that J was
an unpOdly woman, and that the Lord would
punish me still further
Once you said jokingly, but remembered,
that you would rather see me dead than dis
figured. Jasper, we grow very wise through
suffering. We see clearly things we would
rather not
When ] was very ill--have you forgotten,
dearf-you made q sketch OF me, because ]
heard you tell the nurse my expression WIS
good Then did not mind. ID made me so
happy 10 be- Of use TO you but now the memory
nearly breaks my heart.
oh, my darling II what ] am about to
write wounds you, or seems harsh and bitter
do not think unkindly Of me, implore, but re.
member only that lt Is true. You do not love
me, dear; you never have. And when we were
married ] knew IL knew that you loved my
beauty, MY singing my manner, because h
never Jared on you,
But closed my eyes deliberately. made
myself believe in your love for me, and ] was
very happy. Love asks little. Only nearness
% iis object. j was weak. Happiness makes
towards OF us. We so fear Us loss. ] love
pleasant things too much. want warmth and
color Truth is 30 high and severe. IL COWS
me-
and ever But truth is like death; there Is no
escape When life seems fairest il points out
The skeleton beneath the flowers. ] hate IL.
Yet one might love il above all things, vet
always al the sacrifice OF ones own heart.
III you lat loved me! Oh. my dear, Il Is
that lack IN you which puts our lives so far
apart that neither Of us eau give the other COM
fOrt.
II you cared for me my poor face would
matter little. But 70 you ] am dear only az a
picture or sunset is. That which you loved
D. destroyed. Me you do not want, SO ] shall
never Ieturn 70 you, Jasper You might feel
pity. aud would be spared that humiliation II
would be like giving gold TO one who Is starv-
ing. Before pity you would feel repulsiOn. In
time You would hate me. We're ] a brilliant
and talented woman you might learn 10 love
me for myself
am jealous Jasper. ] have always been
lealous OF your art. DO you smile, dear2 DO
seem childish Bot one cannot servo two
mistresses your art ID greater than l. would
not have h otherwise, only-Oh my friend ]
am very lonely tonight.
"All my lle has been so strong aud young and
glad. never have been tired before. Now ]
feel strangely weary aud oppressed. ] cannot
cry. j have wcpt 80 much. Yet feel no sur.
prise az the calamity which has befalen me
~ is happiness alone that startles US. Con.
bclously on not, we expect sorrow.
Only THIS is the bltlercst To think that
you should suffer through me.-wh0 would die
10 save you The least Of sorrOw." Here the
writing bad grown irregular: the pen had
evidently slipped aud b0tted the paper Then
thc writing recommended more Grmy)
Yet perhaps oil is FOR the best We NAV
both be better stronger. j have led a selfish
life. have loved ease and pleasure and beau,
tful things too we'll. Now all that Is changed
shall be a better woman, 10 be worthy, n
time, 81 your love.
do not lei THE make a coward Of yOu, Jas
per Teach your grief q n0ber way aud make
name Tor my sake. ] shall never forget Won
You can never be less 10 me than now perbap,
IN time more. Always will my life bo a sweeter
Eadder thing Tor having known You.
Remember that never shall blame or re-
proach you In us all the senses so stranpel,
influence the mind that we dare not Judge. i
we're not 90 blinded by love aud pain, per
hnIls. might understand that 70 direct Onei
love % ART be greater than toward woman
~ err in haste aud pain, ii show neither
strength nor wisdom forgive me- aud pray thai
when THAT ulno comes when our souls are free
enchaiued by no feshly bonds the haupinea
that eludcs "a now may come To YOU and me
Here the letter ended. For moment IN,
shock killed all feeling. Mechanically Jaspe
Gray put on hls hat conscious only that b,
must sind her learn from her own Hps ia,
truth
Ills eyes lighted on the letter, which hat
fallen on the Door. he felt a sudden hRtrc,
toward Fate which had dealt the blow. j.
DDS blind passion ne tore Tie Ieftpr in sLrpd