The herald., 1896-07-16
? HER BLIND RIYAL.i


1t was an intensely hot morning in June,
as Dorothy Beresiord, hot and painting ,andl
laden with canvas, paint box, etc., climbed
Stephens Green, Dublin, where shel
worked.
This was Monday, tho first day for the.
now model, and Dorothy presently found
herself one OF group OF eight or nine stu
dents Watching with pleasa6t excitemenb;
the posing Of haDdoms melancholy eyo6
Italian boy ON tho aittie platform.
A quarter before o'clock, the time
for closing, Descthy, her faos burning,
| with artistic exoitements turned to gss'
some raw sienna. As she dung the tuhs
back she cast hasty glance into the stzeat
below, and the glance merged into . pro-
longed stare.
A slight girl, in soft gray dress, with,
large hat to match, leaned on the arm Of
young man, whose upright easy hgur9
was very familiar. Very familiar, indeed y
Only last night In her aunt's hall her head
had rested against. that shoulder, that arm
had been round her. !
Only four months-four happy months,
since Ferguson Graham, the rising bar-
rister, had been introduced to Dorothy Il
only three weeks since the day she had
given the answer pleadingly sought by the
owner of that arml
But now another girl is leaning on that
arm. Who ia sheP
The same evening Ferguson Graham
called at Dorothy's home 4
"You are working too hard ct the studio,
darling" he said quietly.
"Not bit. 1t Is my greatest enjoy,
ment. Have you been very busy todayr'I
"I9' he answered lamely. "Oh, noil
Well-rather s,,s,1
~ hope you got some relaxation?''
dorothy, darling, what is wrong?" To
said softly.
Dorothy battled hard with rush of
tears. Then the recollection Of the seat
under the beech tree rose too painfully dis
tinot. She flung her head aside and sprarg
to her feet, making for the door.
But Ferguson Graham placed himself
before her and said: ~
Dorothy. Tell me the meaning of your
manners. have a right to know, and
what is more will know
In silence they stood che breathloss in.
stant, then, wrenohing herself free with a
passionate gesture and low breathed ~
thought you loved me-" Dorothy was
gone. The next day Dorothy spent at Lu-
can, refusing to see her lover on plea o.
headache when he called late in tine even
ing. And another night she tossed on her
bed, making up her mind that she would
give back her ring and never see him again
and as quickly unmaking 1t again. :
The next day was studio day again.
Dorothy worked with feverish rapidity,
which surprised herself and her MASTER
The passionate eyes Of the model glowed
at her from out of the canvas.
Half past O'Clock. Yes There they
werel Dorothy's heart gave great bound,
her face grow pale and she stepped care.
lessly back as il to view her work. q
They are seated close together and in
stantly, as Dorothy looks, the girl opens
her handbag and gives photograph to
Ferguson.
Dorothy's heart grew cold and faint;
only few days ago he had begged for her
photo; now he is treasuring another'sl
In trembling, feverish haste easel and
canvas are put by and Dorothy, scarcely
realizing her intention, finds herself on
the walk leading to the beech tree.
She is CLOSE to him now and she stands
trarsfxed, for the beautiful eyes Of ths
girl, uplifted to her companion, are utte--
ly, Enthusiastically sightless. Dorothy knows
all now.
Ferguson looks up and in another in
slant Dorothy, faint and trembling. is
led to the seat and hears him saying,
"You know my sister Lilly, Dorothy, at
least, by hearsay," hears another sweet
voice saying, "This is really Dorothy"
feels slender fingers delioataly touch
her face and learns that Lilly, with
her sister Agnes, aas come to Dublin on
private visit to see DIR. Fitsgerald again
"a little vain hope of Lilly's own--that
Agnes usht cold on Sunday in st. Pat
riok's cathedral, therefore Ferguson ha1
brought Lilly here each day for fresh air.
And then she hears Ferguson whisper
very low: i
"And you could doubt mo, Dorothy"
"Forgive me, Ferguson" London
News 49, M