The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1897-03-25

an honor you do me to let me paint
your Portrait"
rs It? It is good Of you to call 1t
So" Isbel answered brightly. but In
wardly every nerve was quivering and
strained. Aunt Mary began again
yesterday about having my picture
done. SO wrote to you My aunt Will
be down presently. but in the mean
while we can arrange the sittings.
dress. and SO forth"
Errington passed by the $50 forth.
and only arranged for her dress and the
sittings.
But now" she said. that that Is
settled. We come to-you must please
name your"
Pardon me-" Errington interposed.
with resolute Quietude that IN it5cif
gave her fresh surety of her ground;
but you must do me the great favor
to let that part rest until the work is
finished. You are not like strang-
er-"
Indeed. hope not" Isbel said gent
~. We'll. be it is you please. then.
Thank you very much. Miss Bran
DON"
He rose.
She. too, stood up; the moment had
come: the woman's heart stood still
for moment that was agony; two
lives happiness or misery hung on her
courage or failure.
We'll. suppose your time is valua-
ble?" she said. turning to him. but her
eyes did not fully meet his. Blythe
bye. Mr.. Errington, believe-if am
rightly informed-that l have come to
congratulate you?"
Congratulate mel" repeated the art
list, in genuine surprise. For what!
on what ACCOUNT"
His surprise, and, oddly enough. the
very comedy Of the position, gave her
new courage. why, heard that you
are engaged to an heiress," she said.
The Rubicon was crossed: there was
no going back now. come what would.
Errington flushed to the brow. then
paled again.
1T Is absolutely untrue" he said, in
strained way. and drew back a step.
1T never could be true of met"
But why not!" persisted Isbel. now
standing to her colors with true femin-
inc staunchness. her eyes aglow. her
soft tones steady. If. as heard, you
are attached to her. why should your
engagement be an impossibility, as you
imply?"
Had some one-Glyn, perhaps-dared
to tell her this, meaning herself, but
without naming her? flashed across
Eric. in naughty wrath and pain.
why impossible?" he repeated
stuns to sort of desperation. BE
cause l am poor. struggling man who
| holds his honor dearer even than love
if the story were true. Neither the
| world nor any woman born should
have the right to believe me a dis
honored fortune-hunter"
The worlds Judgment" she said;
and now her breath came quickly. her
| eyes flashed like diamonds. You are
| not such a coward, l know, as to fear
that; but is it much less cowardly to
be afraid of even the risk of the
| woman's installing your motive-the
| woman you love, remember" She was
| speaking with strangely passionate
| if suppressed, force that sent a sudden
| vague thrill through the mana dim
sense of something that dazzled him
of a personality beneath the overt
! meaning; an assertion of his love fol
| the heiress as fact, not a mere figure
of argument The woman you love
| remember. and whose happiness. per-
haps, your pride may wreck as we'll as
your own-who doubtless knows your
hearts secret, and curses the miserable
gold and cruel pride that stands be-
tween your lives"
"Isbel. Errington sprang to heI
side-caught her hands in his own
My darling. my love from the frs.
Forgive, if you can, worse than foo
| that have been. All, my poor Isbel!'
For the girl burst into tears as be
| locked her to his heart; the tension
must needs give way at last, brave girl
| though she was.
20, why were you SO cruel? Why
did you force me toto o, Eric.'
| My darling-forgive me!-because
| loved so much l feared your scornful
| refusal. Why should you think me diff
| ferent from other wooers? And l new
| er dreamed of this happiness. dearest
he said. passionately. "One word-tell
me you forgive your lover"
Eric. l love YOU" she whispered
| and lifted her face for moment Tor
| his kiss.
What matter if some of the world did
say. when the marriage did take place
that it was the money the painter had
sought? He cared not, and those who
knew him and his wife knew we'll i,
was a love match entirely. The pic
| rure-not a mere portrait-of beautiful
| Mrs. Errington. when seen the next
May a. the Academy. made sensation
and sent up the rising artists name at
| once.
so, after all. you see. Eric" his
wife saws. arch and tender in one, "y0u