The morning call., 1892-07-25

paint IL ID, monsieur. 1 OIL nave Dcen nara
to me-" The last words were almost
whispered. "But now this last sitting you
will be a little gentle; we shall never meet
again." she added sadly in a voice that
sounded prophetic.
There is no time now; but he seemed
wayering.
but the portrait is nearly DONE" she
said; "see, will fasten tue collar here, "
and she put it round part OF the ornamental
tion on the back of the chair on which she
had been sitting. Try and paint II, mon
sieur. while rest little, for am tired and
cold"
she seemed weary There was something
pathetic in her demespor as she went slow
ly toward one Of the chairs by the little
table. Perhaps it softened him, for he be-
gan to paint in the gray squirrel.
A long silence. Once his eyes wandered
TO her as she sat over the IRE. her face
turned from him, bat her beautiful figure
thrown into relief by the blaze from the
logs. Presently she got up and wake ed
around the studio. and again he listened
gratefully 10 the rustic of her dress, it was
so unusual a sound in that room.
Monsieur" she said, there is canYa S
behind the portfolio in this corner. Ii has
its fare turned toward the wall, but if there
is picture on il may l see it?'
''If | wished it seen its face would not be
toward the wall; stheref0re, madame mus
excuse it."
She moved away, and stood by his side,
the left side, close TO the hand that held the
palette. He went on with his work almo ST
as If he did not know she was there. The
gray collar was nearly finished; but he In
gered over the picture, touching it here and
there with a little stroke, almost as If he
were dreaming. He brushed away a wrinkle
that showed iu the throat above the fur
She went little closer.
Henri" she said softly. "the chestnuts
are falling in the forest of Marty"
The brush nearly fell from his hand.
Yes" lie answered, they are falling,
and the leaves lie dead, as all things lie dead
sooner or later"
His voice had lost It's harshness.
'The summer is over, but it is not winter
yet. and all things are not dead. Alb, go
on, [ like to watch you. The little gray
squirrel makes me think"
"Why did you keep it?" he asked through
bis teeth.
ITO remember-thougb It was not posi-
bic to forget" size answered. Give it TO
me; let me put 1t around my throat"
Madame viii be seated again." he said,
trying to fall back into his most formal
manner.
"N0, let me stand here, you have so near
ly finished, and 10 not want ME to sit again? !?
Thank you, monsieur" and she put the col
lar around her throat. Il love it," she
whispered. "No. don't stop" she went on
hurriedly, ''and don't look at me; there is
10 necessity; you do not forget my face"
''NO, do not forget" be answered. with
his eyes Oh the picture.
''Surely that chm is little heavy above
the collar. Nay, feel it-yes-yes, lust this
once" She rested her face on his sleeve for
a moment, and softly pulled his right hand
toward the palette and then the left one
toward her chin. The touch OF the fur,
does 1t make you remember" she asked, as
she raised her head.
AZ have never FORGOTTEN" he replied, with
IN bfs rf,fo and naf m
the canvas grew round again, and the lines
about it we're smOOthed away.
She spoke again hardly above her breath.
% so often think Of the forest" she said,
land the path toward where the fountains
had been; we played our little play"
. 1t was only play"
lie half turned his face toward her; but
softly she put up her hand, and pushed it
away from her.
No" she said. think of the girl who
was, Henri" her voice was almost tragic in
its sweetness; and how she and you pre-
tended they were back in the days OF the
queen. You were walking with me en-
poisson, and ! was court lady in the
habit de Marty"
" It was only play" he repeated.
at was much more TO me-" she answered.
You said Ouce when the wind blew among
my hair that it was like the marriage OF the
sunshine and the wind. Take away the
smOOthness there" she nodded at the pic
ture, "and put in suggestion Of the wind,
so that ] may remember.
ut is too late," he said bitterly, as he took
up some color from his palette Of a brighter
hue than he had already used and worke d
il into the hair. 1T was like gold." he said
20 himself.
She was almost bitter when she spoke again
Il can see your face as If it were yester-
day. but you have forgotten"
The reproach seemed 10 sting him.
Never"
1t was like a cry of pain. She gave long
Sigh and went on:
II think of your eyes sometimes as they
looked down at NE. Have you forgotten
mine?"
81 never forgot. Madeline" he exclaimed.
and turned toward her again; but she agai q
putt her hand, and kept his face from her.
mo, no." she said; go on, and dom /
look at me, or think of me, az ! am 10 W.
Think OF me as | was then, and stood be-
meath the chestDuts, and felt the color come
TO my face; surely ii was not like that You
have put on my face there. You said-hut t
l am afraid to think OF your words, / so
often wondered If they were true"
They were all trpe," and he touched the
cheeks of the portrait.
''You said that you loved me-"
u did tell you that loved you, Madeline
but you forgot soon-yOu have loved
other women since and said the same words
to them"
81 have said them to no other woman. 1
have been dumb aud lived remembering" !"
And still, without knowing it. his brush
wandered over the canvas till the blue had
come into the eyes again, and the gold to
the hair and the sOftness Of youth to the
skin, till the face Of the madeup midd le =
aged woman had gone and in its stead re-
malned the beautiful one OF 20 years before
smile broke over the stern face as he
watched lovingly the effect of every touc b
his brush made.
Il loved you,' he repeated. simply, "and
have lived alone for your sake"
Then suddenly he put down the brush
and turned quickly. She bent her head so
that he should not see her face, but he
stopped till his lips for minute touched
the gray fur about her throat. There was
sound of wheels beneath; the carriage
had come for ber.
"Jel me you loved me-" he said; ''that
yOu too meant your words"
She put her hands over her face and un-
easily he saw the diamonds on her fingers.
The door opened and with a start they drew
back.
MADAM" said Susette, entering hur-
riedly, ''milord has returned suddenly. In
portant business takes him to Englan we
leave Paris in two hours time. The por-
trait is to go finished or unfinished"
All take it, Susette. but carry it care
FULLY, for 1t is not yet dry" Lady Harlek-
ston said impetuously.
And here is letter for milady; Milford
told me TO ask you TO open it Immediately. -
es, yes; but take the portrait, Susette.
Let II 90, she whispered to Carbouche. who
stepped forward as Susette went towai the
| easel
But / must touch it," he said bewildered.
"Ah, no, NOR she whispered again. 81 .ei
1t go. Garry IL carefully. Susette, and resi-
| 1t against the back seat. You need not re-
| turn. Will descend in moment"
AS Susette vanished, l. dy Harlekstor
/ OreUeu the letter from her husband Thar