The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-13

D EEAuIu bLE immature " AAo wv ltA- NfAA
second consideration he resolved 10 hold
it for awhile and use. it as a copy from
which TO paint portrait of Nine. Plan
con. Had he known then what he learned
later, he probably would not have with
help the miniature. Some people do not
believe in charms Well, what OF III
( This is certain, that Plaucons miniature
was a charm. AS long as he wore it his
mothers influence exerted itself. So De
| MerlincOurt worked hard on the portrait
of Nine. PlancOn. He worked consci-
entiously. His soul was in his work, for
he intended TO reseal his friendship with
Plancon by making him gift OF the
portrait
On the third day after the beginning of
the portrait, De Merlincourt, while rest
ing from his labOrs, fell asleep on the
divan with the miniature in his hand.
| When he awoRe, he recollected looking al
the ivory before falling asleep, and not be-
ing able TO find 10 about his person, grew
worried. lie straigh tened up and sur
veyed the apartment. In the middle of
the floor he beheld the miniature in an
upright position. This puzzled him, for
| he could not conceive the manner Of its
support He picked it up and noticed
that the gold back had been opened. Evil
IDENTIFY he judged, when it fell on the
floor it rolled and accidently struck on
| the spring, which opened the back.
Around the inside of the frame was a
! lock OF hair and exquisitelY carved on the
! ivory were the following lines;
Be near me when the sensuous frame
Is racked with pangs that conquer trust,
| And time, maniac scattering dust,
| And life, a fury Singing name.
| These few lines went deep into the
| heart of De Merlincourt. He was re-
minded of his own mother. Good moth
| ers are alike the world over. He shut the
| back, but he could open it no more.
| Though he tried again and again, he could
| not find the spring. Luckily, however,
| he recollected, word for word, the little
! stanza.
| And now ne had finished the portrait of
Nine. Plancon. II was, indeed, an excel
| lent likeness. His technique again
showed its power On the frame he
painted in phosPh9Feseent colors the
words of the miniature. In a little al
cove in the studio he hung the picture,
! but it was kept from view by a velvet
curtain.
He had the miniature securely packed
away and ready to send to Plancon, when
| something happened which caused him
| to change his mind. II was q letter from
Lucille. She told him how Plancon dis
covered her in the Cafe d'Harcourt; how
he made love to her and how she would
| have nothing to do with him He logged
her everywhere. At last he told her how
| he came to fall in love with her Then
! she became interested in him. He told
her of the great friendship which existed
| between him and the painter; how they
! Quarreled on her account. This amused
| her she wrote, but it would do more. 1t
would give her the chance to repay Jules
| De Merlincourt for rejecting the love of
| Lucille Tourgois. Howe Easy enough.
Plancon was completely in her power
Already he asked her to marry him
Now, she thought she would Then her
turn would come. And the friendship of
two friends would be destroyed. How
did this little game strike De Merlin
court, she wanted to know. Still-yes, it
was legibly written-still, she would
desist, she would stop where she was if
Jules would but listen TO her.
mot at all out of the ordinary" De
Merlincourt complacently remarked to
himself as he finished reading the letter.
Yes, he would listen to her and he sat
down TO his desk He wrote u reply to
Lucille. THAT win bring her down here, !"
he said, land more than likely the madcap
| will follow her.
And it turned out just as he had sur
missed it would.
Lucille came.
She arrived at the house excited and
all out of breath. Quick !" she cried to
De Merlincourt-"he Plancon, is coming
He was on the same train. l couldn't es-
cape him He'll be here directly. Where
can gol'
7Up into my room. One flight-to the
left.b
No sooner had she reached the top of
the stairs than the bell rang violently.
Plancon rushed in, hatless, speechless
and quite generally disheveled. Alto
| gether he was much changed, His face
showed that he had suffered. He caught
De Merlincourt by the arm.
"She is here" he exclaimed, wildly,
"Whol" calmly queried De Merlin
Don't exasperate me-Lucille-your
model"
Possibly, possibly SO is my easel and
my palette"
Plancon grew hoarse.
| Before he could say more De Merlin
court had dragged him into the studio.
| snow calm yourself and I'll talk with
youo
| My heart is splitting. You know | love
| Lucille. You wrote her to come down
here, Why did you do it,"
For his answer De Merlincourt went to
the alcove that contained the portrait of
Nine. Phantom.
"Come here he said firmly.
| And Plancon obeyed, and what he saw
! mace MIN like child. He sank down
| into a chair and covered his face. The
influence of his mothers love was again
upon him. He could not speak, and when
he lifted up his face it was tearstained.
De Merlincourt, much affected, took
the miniature from its receptacle. ST
lently he put one arm about the neck of
his friend and with the other hand he
! placed the miniature in the palm of Plan
con. Then De Mcrlincourt spoke.
HWe are friends again. and his voice
was full of happiness. Plancon could
only reply by an assuring squeeze. He
was Plancon of old once more. And his
love for Lucille was like dream. The
rough waves within were still
"And now, my boy" De Merlincourt
remarked after a little, ''well have re-
turuof the proGigal. Lucille win join us.
A woman's presence will add to the fes-
tivity. Wen dine here in the studio
Excuse me. IN go for her. She must be
tired waiting"
And Lucille came down
| OThe miniature was in PlaucOn's possess
sion and he was unconcerned. He was
not in the least moved when Lucille per-
sisted in showing her affection for De
Merlincourt
The tie that binds had saved him.
MARTIN SAKE.