The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-30

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a little laugh.
IF you are in Strengthened circum-
stances" he began with heightened
color, 'why-"
'Mr. Dubrassetl" she interrupted
warningly, Indignantly.
But he kept on
"You might realize handsomely from
time to time by disposing of these
figures. They ought to average you
three hundred tlorins apiece"
"Oh, no." incredulously,"
"There is an old vendor of such
articles in the city," Dubrasset replied.
''If you will allow me, I'll get him to put
some in his window"
"You have my permission" she slow
ly said, her eyes on the floor, the color
coming and going in her face, he watch
ing her with intensified interest.
Three of the clay models were placed
on sale and brought the sum Dubrasset
named.
"Why, it is wonderful" she exclaimed.
as she brought her hands together with
girlish impulsiveness. "I'll soon be able
to open bank account"
She laughed softly, and Dubrasset
thought she had never looked so lovely.
Modelling is your endowment" he
said.
A month later he told her he was going
away, to remain year, perhaps.
She babe him farewell, not effusively,
but she returned the significant pressure
of his hand, and when their eyes met
each was i'll possession of the others
secret. Still, they parted unbetrothed.
Next came letter from America. 1t
informed her that her father was
tn
at an early day. She took the remaining
figures to the old dealer.
"These are the last" she said.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, with a shrug of
his shoulders.
81 am going back to America"
81 am sorry. You will bring me moth
ing more to sell?"
"Who purchased the others?" she
asked, her Italian rs fluentas her English,
and almost as correct.
"a gentleman" replied the dealer.
"Do you mean to say that one
gentleman bought them all?' she in
quired.
Eyes. They were scarcely in the
window day."
"Do you know his name?" she asked,
with repressed eagerness.
Lady, l do not. That is, cannot
recall it. He was tall and handsome,
with brown eyes and brown mustache,
and carried himself So"
The old dealer made comical failure
of his attempt to stand erect and assume
a military air.
"Was his name Dubrasset?" Miss
Burgoyne asked, with twitching lips.
YES" said the dealer, explosiYely.
An angry, disappointed sparkle came
into her eyes as she turned to leave the
shop. Once on the sidewalk, she sighed,
and unconsciously lifted her hand to her
heart.
HE was my only PATRON" she NUT
| tered. HE deceived ME. l feel so
Inundated that almost hate him."
She gave up her rooms in the cottage,
and prepared to return home. She
kissed Maria, and said:
"You have been very kind to me.
leave you that painting-the Flemish
market scene. By the by, here is letter
for Mr.. Dubrasset. Will you hand it to
him, should he call?'
"Yes," mournfully replied Maria, be-
cause sorry her ledger was going away.
Three months later Mr.. Dubrasset
the summons. He greeted her with a
miss Burgoyne is not here" she said.
"Ah!" he calculated.
"She is gone"
"To American" he quickly asked.
"To America" replied Maria.
A look of INDIGESTION rested upon his
face for moment.
"Did she leave her address?' he asked.
"She did not" replied the girl; then,
noticing his disappointment, she added,
"But she left letter for you"
An expression of delight came into
his handsome brown eyes.
"Wait," Maria said.
She ran in and reappeared with the
letter. He opened it with eager haste
only to read:
81 have discovered that have been
your pensioner. You deceived me, and
despise you"
Maria saw his face flush and his hand
close tightly on the letter.
at isn't good news, Mr.. Dubrasset,
she said.
mo, it isn't" he replied, and he
walked gloomily away.
Miss Burgoyne was staying for few
days in London with friend previous
to her departure for America.
"Ohl' she gladly exclaimed, with a
bound to the centre table, an hour after
her arrival. My Reliable Contraband!'
Where did you get it Mr.. Lawrence?"
"Your 'Contrabandl' repeated her
friend. Gam 1 to understand that it is
your workp"
eyes. Where did you get itP"
"From Florence"
"Oh, know. But how?"
Mr.. Lawrence debated moment.
"The only distinct recollection have"
he slowly said, sis that paid five hun
bred forms for it. A Mr.. Dubrasset
sent one of the clay models to a member
of the club to which belong. 1t was so
unique that the figures became in great
demand. Can it be possible that you
fashioned them? 1 congratulate you on
your genius"
II have Numbered" she said, partly
aloud, with keen pang of regret. ~
have wronged Mr.. Dubrasset," she
mentally added with sigh.
Two years later they met at Bar
Harbor. Miss Burgoyne went directly
to him, her face suffused with bushes,
her hand futtering into his.
'.Oh, Mr.. Dubrasset!' she cried, II
wish to explain"
His dark brown eyes rested upon her
flushed, piquant face without sparkle
of resentment in them.
"He will be as generous as he is hand
some," she thought.
"You refer to that letter?' he said.
eyes" she nervously replied. 81
| L. II &c