The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-12-05

you, mademoiselle, with SO long story. j"
But Olympia had been deeply inter-
ested. Beneath an outward quietude of
speech and manner there was in Count
de Lisle suppressed fire and emphasis
that fascinated the attention and sum-
moned pictures before the imagination.
Fixing her eyes upon his strong, reserved
features Olympia wondered at the at
traction he had for her. And again,
when she looked away, she had a notion
that he was somehow less stranger
than he appeared. Some natures exer-
else mutual magnetism over each other,
so that when they meet it is as if they
had known each other before.
Olympia's fine organization made her
susceptible to impressions that had no
existence for ordinary people. The eff
feet, in this instance, was to incline her
to reserve. A young maiden instructive
ly resists whatever threatens to subdue
her, and, moreover. in Olympia's MEM
ory, the figure of Keppel Darke remained
as something sacred, not to be disturbed.
How shall you amuse yourself in
New York;" she asked. breaking short
silence.
81 have made some plans" he said;
''but the first thing is to make the ac-
quaintance of the people. That must
do quickly, for this winter mean to
give ball at my new house, and every
one who is anybody must be there. AZ
ter that shall be at home and can at
tend to my own business. am going
to build school of art"
Olympia Immediately forgot her hesi-
tations. "That's good news" she ex-
claimed. "There is nothing could de-
sire more But what will be the plan
of it?''
81 knew you were fond of art" OBJ
served the count, looking curiously at
her. 81 will not say your little pictures
are beyond criticism, but there is some
thing in them that like, and that rem
ders them very valuable to me. But l
didn't know that your interest in the ad-
vancementof art lay SO near your heart. !"
81 once had a very dear friend who
was an artist, and was thinking more
of him than of myself" She drew a
signing breath, but did not blush. 81
can imagine what he would have wished,
and should be glad to see it DONE"
s'This friends not now living?'
said the count gently.
''He died nearly three years ago."
tAnd YOU still think of him and wish
to see his dreams realized!" The count
spoke these words in an undertone, and
rather as if communing with himself
than addressing Olympia. cit will give
me pleasure, mademoiselle," he con-
tinued, in another voice, "to know that
in carrying out my projects l am also
fulfilling the desires of one who was dear
to you"
She had listened with rising color and
sparkling eyes. sit would be gloriousI"
she cried, pressing her hands together.
"But can it be done"
MANY poorer man than could do
as much as this" he replied. "There is
capital enough in this country engaged
m spreading industries and developing
resources. Civilization can spare me
what l need for this hobby of mine; and
perhaps future generation will think
me less unwise than the present one"
The count had become moved beyond
his wont by the train of thought he was
indulging, and had risen from his chair,
and was pacing up and down the room.
At this juncture his attention happened
to be attracted to a portrait that hung
in an alcove at the left of the window.
1t was an admirable likeness of Olym-
pia herself.
''Ahf' he exclaimed, stopping short.
He remained silent and motionless for
several moments, but finally said, in an
Indifferent tone: ssThat is good work
Is it your own?"
"Oh, no. I cannot paint like that"
she replied. ssTnat was painted by my
friend, the artist. It was the last thing
he did before his DEATH"
IA good work" repeated the count.
Are you willing to dispose of it? You
can name your own price for it. Frank
ly, have taken fancy to it."
81 cannot sell it," said Olympia. cit
is the most precious thing to me in the
world"
The count continued to look at the
portrait, but his face slowly Redeemed.
"You will pardon me, mademoiselle, :"
he said in low voice. 81 had not sup
pOoCu tHdt you uctu -u0 acoitcttSo-
"that you had consecrated yourself to a
memory. Our friends are dear to us
while they remain with us-we love
them-but when they are gone, and
years have passed since their departure,
the sentiment becomes less controlling.
1t is three years. you say, since this man
died. May l say that it seems to have
been remarkable friendship"
"It was not a common friendship,
Count de Lisle, and there was never any
one like Keppel Darke. If you knew
what hen-
"Keppel Darker' interrupted thecount.
Il have heard the name. Yes, 1t was
your friend Mr.. Bannick who spoke of
him. A sad story, indeed. He killed
Harry Trent, an old acquaintance of my
own. And you were his friend, made
moiselle? I can see that he possessed
talent, but that he deserved your regard
that seems stranger
''Count de Lisle," said Olympia, rising
up in angry indignation which she found
it hard to control, s.you don't know what
you are saying, and that is your only ex-
cuse. Keppel Darke died an innocent
man. He was not my friend only;
loved him. l told him SO when / last
saw him, and if he were alive I should
be now his wife. That portrait is the
last thing he painted, it is the only
thing of his that is left to me. Do you
think would part with it? But you
did not know or you would not have