The Globe-republican., 1893-02-17
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER 1.
LOVES YOUNG DREAM
The sky was vault Of feckless blue,
the sun great cleaning sapphire, the
air bracing as pure wine, and the RAJ e
autumnal day was drawing to close.
Hopedale Was peaceful hamlet, but
beyond its kind in certainly one pro-
Rressive point-it had a young ladies'
seminar Of unusual excellence, and a
young man of more than usual acumen
was enjoying the beautiful day and TAX
ing in the distant turrets and peaks of
the institute of learning in question at
that eventful hour, for him, when our
story opens.
He had the look of an artist. and the
equipment OF an artist surrounded him.
He had chosen the slope Of wooded
grove for his camp. stool. and had set
his easel facing the village. The fam
ing leaves of broad-spreading tree
sheltered him. Air, earth and sky were
in harmony with the artistic impulse,
but just now he seemed in q thoughtful
rather than an active mood.
His brush had fallen to his side. and
the canvas showed only a few lazy
patches of color. 1t seemed as if he
had come out to paint Nature and had
been shamed from feeble effort by the
glorious brush of Nature itself. The
sun, which dashed the white villas with
pale gold, made the sumacs a great
ensanguined blur OF crimson, and,
mingling with the vari-cOlOred tree
tops, produced those exquisite shades
and alterations Of color and beautiful
effects which no pen has ever yet de-
scribed, no brush ever yet delineated.
Il wish she would come" he muir
INJURED. Il wonder if she will Gomez"
His words were a sigh Of longing and
anxiety, and he continued to gaze at the
distant turrets as If she" was fairy,
with power to fly straight through the
air to his side.
There was rustling among the dry
twigs back Of him, but he did not heed
1t. Then there was culver of branches
overhead, and down came q hundred
huttering leaves.
Caught in a shower, Mr. Dreamer!"
laughed q bright, bell-like voice. rs
this the way you work at the great pic
ture that is to charm the world?"
"Edna!"
Over went stool and easel as the
young man sprang to his feet, as if from
an electric shock. Red as the red, red
leaves strewn about him flushed the
handsome face, and brighter than the
crystal rays Of sunshine glowed his
proud looking eyes down into responsive
hands, both hands, that had shaken the
bough overhead, sending earthward the
luttering messengers of mischief.
Il SO wanted to see you.' he breathed,
thrilling at the trustful glance Of those
pure eyes.
And l so wanted to see you, but
Raymond"
He was a privileged character, this
athletic, handsome-faced young fellow,
all soul, all art, all love, for they were
affianced, yet her tones ere a tender
reproach, mock serious mandate, as
his eager lips came tritie dangerously
near sweeping her velvety cheek. She
had managed to shrink back and dis
engage her hand, and with the tip of
one pearly pink finger she pointed back
the way she had come.
There was a roguish twinkle in her
eye, as Raymond Marshall stole quick
glance in the direction indicated He
frowned and groaned, dolefully but
submissively.
His visitor had not come unattended.
Back in the grove, girl of her own age
was toying with the rafting tops Of the
blanched golden rod.
WAS it necessary" he began, and
then he uttered, quite testify: Always
that girl!'
Raymond how dare your" came the
spirited Interpolation, and Miss Edna
Deane showed the fire of her quick ma
ture in sudden, indignant flash Of those
captivating eyes. Beatrice Mercer is
my friend"
-Iwish she wasn't. OF all your as
sociates distrust her the most" VEN
tured Raymond Marshall.
You ought to be ashamed" COM |
mented Miss Tyrant, severely. -and |
you ought to feel grateful to her, in
stead of otherwise.
-Grateful?"
yes; that is if you really care about |
seeing me. You know the rules of the |
seminary. No young lady may leave
its sacred precincts unless accompanied
by one Of the teachers. Poor Beatrice
has to teach for her tuition. and they in
vest her with the dignity and judgment
of a duenna. So. when I told Miss
Chandler. the principal, that had the
lonesome and industrious over here, and
criticism on your beautiful picture |
might hurry up it's completion, she re-
luctantly admitted that such q proceed
ing would be quite proper II Beatrice
accompanied me.
Raymond Marshall WINGED at the
thrust at his incidence. He frightened
up, however. as he said:
Never mind. All that will soon end,
and soon we shall have no friend, chap
eron or duenna to mar the completeness
Of happiness. En-, my little lover"
Edna's head had dropped on her
breast, and she shook her head slowly.
II only-if only Miss Chandler would
speak"
Yes, interrupted Raymond. excited
iy: IF she would only speak. Just look
at it! Here We are. two loving, har-
monious souls. think the world of
you. and you take pity on me. and hope
to make me famous some day by mar.
rying me and securing the right to order
me to work. My family are delighted
with you. Even prim Miss Chandler
acknowledged it would be cruel to part
Us, but-that dreadful mystery. She
cannot consent because she Is not a rel