The weekly examiner., 1894-05-19

1t was all that Rush could do to keep from seizing the hands that were so near his face and kissing them with protesta. tions of the love that was burning so hotly in his heart. Instead of that, he clasped his hands behind him, and an- swered, with mock seriousness:
 "I need no flower to remind me of you. Miss Knowlton. Your absence will be felt in the very air we breathe. The birds will chirp, She is gonev from the tree tops, and the stars will write it in the sky at night"
 MT. Hurlstone, you are chaffng me; and don't like to be chaffed. thought that you would be little sorry that I was going away" replied Helen.
 "A little sorryl If you only knew what your absence means to me, you would"- His voice shook perceptibly and Helen looked quickly at him. Fear ing that he had gone too far, he added, "I shall never leave the foreign editors room, but will haunt his desk night and day seeking for early news from Drury Lane"
 Nov you are joking again; but I be- lieve you will miss me. We have had some pleasant times together, MT. Hurl stone, and although l have only known you a few short months you are like an old friend, or perhaps l should say an old young friend You seem to like me for myself and not for my profession. With most people feel that it is Helen Knowlton, the prima donna, rather than Helen Knowlton, the woman, whom they care for. Am not right2 If had nothing to do with the stage really .hink that you would like me better"
 That would be impossible, Miss Knowltop," replied Rush.
 "Still chaftingl l thought better of you. Give me your arm: let us go to the drawing room. l see they have all left the conservatory l want you to be my guardian angel this evening and keep me out of the clutches of that man O'Hara. cannot endure him. He looks like Russian Nihiiist and smells like an Irish stew. He wants to paint my portrait for the spring exhibition. Shall let him?"
 "Let him? I should say not. Does he think the young ladies of New York have nothing to do but to sit to him? The minute he sees pretty face he asks it's owner to let him paint her portrait. like his conceit, indeed!'
 Thank you for the implied compH- ment; but you need not get so excited; haven't the slightest idea of allowing MT. O'Hara any such privilege"
 "I am glad to have your assurance in the matter; otherwise l should have my fears, for O'Hara seems to have irresist- ible attractions The fact that he was able to get three of the bellies of New York society to pose to him as the three Graces shows his power"
 You are not a woman, MT. Hurlstone, or you would understand how hard it Is to resist request put in so compliment tary form. Could you refuse if Mr. O'Hara asked you to sit to him for Apollo? I'm sure you couldn't"
 That might be a temptation" said Rush, smiling, "but if it came from O'I1ara should be able to withstand it"
 There he comes now, with Bessie on his arm. Let us get over to that far cor ner before they see us" said Helen. But she was too late; O'Hara and Bessie bore down upon them and there was no es- cape.
 Helen dear," said Bessie, "Mr. O'Hara is so anxious to paint you in your Helen of Troy costume. He has asked me to intercede for him. Won't you sit to him? He would make delightful pic ture.'
 "He could not help it with such a sit ter," said O'Hara, slowly distending his eyes at her.
 "Mr. O'Hara is very kind and more than mplimentary, answered Helen, "but l am too busy a woman to sit for my portrait. ,
 "Were you not quite as busy when you allowed Fessenden the privilegeY said O'Hara, with smile, but in an un- mistakable tone. equally unmistakable manner; "I fancy was; but one can always find time to give to ones friends, and MT. Fessenden is an old and valued friend" Then, to Bessie, "Mr. Hurlstone and were just going over to that pretty corner of your drawing room to examine that new bit of Japanese bronze" And she moved off in the opposite direction with Rush.
 "I don't think O'Hara will ask you again to sit to him. The cadi I wanted to choke him." said Rush.
 Don't you believe it; he is not so cas- fly crushed. But he will never accom- plish his object.
 Charming person Miss Knowlton is," said O'Hara to Bessie; but to himself he said, "The prigi owe her one for that snub."
 "Indeed she is charming," answered Bessie; "but she is very set in her ways, and she will make up her mind to thing without any apparent reason and stick to it."
 / The Japanese bronze furnished Helen and Rush with subject of interesting conversation. She admired the patience and the devotion the Japanese display in accomplishing an end, even if that end be only the adjusting of the scales of a bronze serpent.
 "I am glad that you admire patience and devotion" said Rush.
 "And why, pray?'
 "On general principles-they are such