The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-04-05

| said, reading the inscription at the
base of one of the figures. "This is
especially original"
at is distinctly American" respond
ed Miss Burgoyne.
Modelling in clay is your forte.
Why not stick to it?"
at is too-trihing."
Il beg your pardon for differing"
He paused a second and then resumed:
"Miss Burgoyne, it has occurred to
me-that is, suspect"
"Please don't stammer," she said.
with little laugh.
"H you are in straitened circum.
stances" he began, with heightenec
"Mr. Dubrasset!" she interrupted,
warningly, Indignantly.
But he kept on.
"You mi ght realize handsomely
from time to time by disposing OF
these figures. They ought to average
you 800 f1orins apiece.
"Oh, no." incredulously.
"There is an old vender of such arti-
cles 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
slowly said, her eyes on 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 Dubras-
set named.
"Why, it is wonderful" she exclaim-
ed, as she brought her hands together
with girlish impulsiveness. "I'Il soon
be able to open bank account"
She laughed softly and Dubrasset
thought she had never looked so
lovely.
A month later he told her he was
going away, to remain year, per-
haps.
She bade him farewell, not ELUSIVE
ly, but she returned the significant
pressure of his hand and when their
eyes met each was in possession of the
others secret. Still they parted un-
betrothed.
Next came letter from America.
1t informed her that her father was
seriously i'll and wanted her to return
at an early day. She took the remain
ing figures to the old dealer.
"These are the last" she said.
"Ah!" he exclaimed with shrug OF
his shoulders.
81 am going back to America"
81 am sorry. You will bring me
nothing more to sell?"
"Who purchased the otbersP" she
asked, her Italian as fluent as her En-
glish and almost as correct.
ga gentleman" replied the dealer.
"Do you mean to say that one gen
tleman bought them alp" she in
quired.
aYes. They were scarcely in the
window day"
"Do you know his name?" she asked,
with repressed eagerness.
Lady, do not. That is, cannot
recall it. He was tall and handsome,
with brown eyes and brown mustache
and carried himself so"
"Was his name Dabrasset?" Miss
Burgoyne asked with twitching lips
Eyes" said TIE dealer. explosively.
An angry, disappointed sparkle came
into her eyes as she turned to leave
the shop. Once on the sidewalk, she
sighed and unconsciously lifted hel
hand to her heart.
"He was my only patron" she NUT
tered. "He deceived me. feel sc
humiliated that almost hate him."
She gave up her rooms in the cot
tage and prepared to return home.
She kissed Maria and said:
"You have been very kind to me.
leave you that painting Flemish
market scene. By the by, here is 8
letter for Mr.. Dubrasset. Will you
hand it to him should he call?"
Three months later Mr.. Dubrasset
knocked at the door. Maria answered
the summons. He greeted her with 8
smile and feint to step into the hall
Miss Burgoyne is not here" she
said.
@Ah!" he calculated.
"She is gone"
"To AmericaP" he quickly asked.
"To America" replied Maria.
"Did she leave her addressP" he
asked.
sShe did not" replied the girl
Then, noticing his disappointment,s 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 beer
!, your pensioner. You deceived me
and | despise you"
Maria saw his face flush and hil
hand close tightly on the letter.
at isn't good news, Mr.. DubrassetP'
she said.
"No, it isn't" he replied, and he
walked gloomily away.
Miss Burgoyne was staying for few
days in London with a friend previous
to her departure for America.
"Oh," she gladly exclaimed, with Z
bound to the center table, an houl
after her arrival, "my Reliable Con
trabandp Where did you get it, Mr.
Lawrence?"
: "Your sContraband?'" repeated hel
friend. "Am 1 to understand that i
is your workP"
"From Florence?"
"Oh, l know. But how?"
Mr.. Lawrence debated a moment.
"The only distinct recollection
have" he slowly said, sis that l pait
500 forms for it. A Mr.. Dubrasse
; sent one of the clay models to a mem
1 Der of the club to which belonged. l
I was so unique that the figures becam
in great demand. Can it be possibl
that you fashioned themg Icongratu
!, late you on your genius"
'1 have blundered," she said, partl.
aloud, with keen pang of regret. g
9 have wronged Mr.. Dubrasset," sh
mentally added, with q sigh.
!. Two years later they met at Ba
! ! Harbor. Miss Burgoyne went directl
! to him, her face suffused with bushes
her hand futtering into his.
"Oh. Mr.. Dubrasseti" she cried.
. wish to explain"
/ His dark brown eyes rested upo
o her flushed, piquant face without
o sparkle of resentment in them.
HE will be as generous as he
u handsome, she thought.
"You refer to that letterg" he said
9 "Yes," she nervously replied.
II II wounded you sorely, am afraid.
u was-was-unkind in me-but, yo
e see, didn't know"
e The silken 1ashes were dipping int
e the burning cheeks, her tone was re
y gretful, her attitude beseechful.