The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-07
HER PROTEGE.


oompanionship to you means very life to
me. You possess every moment of my ex-
istence''-
''And you mean,' she interrupted, with
cruel little laugh, "that if were to ao-
cept YOU and the uncertainty were over,
you would be rid of the thought of mel''
''Clarer'
By the bye, haven't seen you in the
row for thelast-I don't know how long"
mo; found it too expensive"
''Poor boyl I feel inclined sometimes
to marry you for the sake of your poverty.
Ny money welded to your genius
Would make a nice scandal for the
busybodies. It is your wealth, Glare, that
reconOiles me to your GOODNESS at times.
oh, my dear, wish you were penniless,
and had the right to earn for you"
"Now you are beginning again, " she
frowned, land it is all nonsense. I
shouldn't be in love with even love in
cottage, I assure you"
At the foot of the stairs he ran against
Sir John barton.
"Ah, Stockdalel'' the baronet cried,
with assumed oordiality. "Been to see
ClareP Is she IMP And how goes the pic
turef''
ooh, I suppose it will be ready Stock
dale answered.
"Hope it will be hung on the 1ine-de-
serves to be, I'm surel''
"You are very kind -
The baronet shook hands with a little
patronizing nod, and the footman closed
the door upon the artist
Glare barton would never marry him.
And what presumption ever to have aspired
to her What was he but poor, unknown
artist, to whom the most beautiful, ao-
complished and wealthy heiress had been
kind during an Intoxicating season in
Italy, where, with the usual unconven-
tionality of English folk abroad they had
formed an intimate acquaintance and she
had given him frank friendship in re-
turn for this burning admiration that
grew to a consuming passion?
Yes, that was all, and yet not quite all.
She believed in his art She had called
him genius. and she was not hooking
when she said it.
He found his boxing friend had not
turned up, and he took his studio key
from the wall where it hung and went in.
The canvas before him represented the
Greek muse Erato crowned with roses and
myrtle and holding a Tyre in her hand.
The subject had occurred to him one day
in Italy when he was standing with Glare
on flower terrace at sunset. In his pic
ture he had represented the very scene
her attitude, the surrounding beauties of
warm southern coloring, and he had
caught the inspiration on her lovely face,
though he had not dared to portray her ex-
actly.
In the meantime Sir John barton had
reached his niece's drawing room with
cloud of annoyance on his face.
$50 you have had your protege here
again, ClareP'' he began, refusing her offer
to ring for fresh tea.
Eyes" she said carelessly. "That has
been my one excitement. How did you
get on with my lawyers?"
Matters are as bad as they can be. l
shall go on fighting the case of course
"Oh,' she interrupted, "why do you
bother so much, uncle? I am very CRATE
full, but can but marry if the worst comes
to the worst"
''My dear, your future depends on your
marriage. If you marry with my full
sanction I leave all my property to you,
and your fathers estate can go to the vul-
lures tomorrow.
"And what is your sanctionP" she
smiled.
''Surely, Glare, your woTnan's quickness
has grasped why I encourage Lord Arthur
Bradley so constantly?'
Lord Arthur BradleyP The little lame
man with the squintP''
The case was this: A few months ago
her father had died in Italy, and by some
blunder of a lawyers copyist her name in
the will was omitted, so that the prop
erty could be and was claimed by some
elder children, her stepsisters, who had
treated their father abominably.
Mark Stockdale had a great name to
make and she, who gloried in his gifts as
much as she loved him, was not the one to
mar his future. She let him think her
rich, luxurious and heartless rather than
tell him the truth, to be conquered by his
passionate love.
Well, the night of the academy soiree
came at last, and Glare barton and Sir
John made their way up the wide staircase,
to greet the president standing at the top.
81 think we have done well this year,
he said to Sir John. Don't forget to no.
tice an Erato by Mark Stockdale. 1t is the
best thing hung-absolutely the hest thing.
We shall have to elect him. Paris must
not snatch all our young geniuses, and
hear he is equally well represented in the
salon. -
A crowd was thronging the picture when
they reached it, and Sir John stopped to
speak to several friends. Clare found a
seat little apart and sat down to watch
her opportunity of getting near the picture.
1t was not long before the artist discover
ed her.
''At lastl'' he whispered. st have been
hunting for you the whole evening"
1--WE have only just come,'' she said.
"Have you no congratulations for me,
Clare?''
''Why should you care for them?'' she
smiled. you have the president and the
whole academy at your feet. What can it
matter what simple friend thinks?'
''It matters the whole world to me-"
''Then I am glad, Mark; very. very
GLAD. -
''You are so good to me tonight he
said softly. MY cup seems almost too
full, Glare. -
'Then we will dash it from your lips"
she laughed.
NO. he said; "this hand shall not be
ruthless tonight''-and she let him take it
unhesitatingly in his" whatever the NOR
row may bring
'sThe morrow Shall I tell you what it
will bring?'
eyes, y he answered. taking possession
of the other hand. 81 can bear anything
in this moment"