Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-11
CROSSING THE GULF.

W AAAA NJ ~ LII
They were both guests at the same
country house that autumn. He was an
artist, handsome, gifted, well born, but
poor as the proverbial church mouse
and proud as Lucifer She was an heir
ess, who, on attaining her majority
some three years ago, had come into
about So, 900 year. Added to this at
traction she was beautiful, clever and
charming. She was bright, high spirited
and very independent, as suitors soon
found to their cost.
you'll be an old maid, Isbel," re-
monstrated the aunt with whom she
lived. "You are nearly "a, my dear"
II don't care, auntie, laughed the
young lady. Gan old maid is as good as
anything, thousand times better than
having husband one doesn't care for.
I'm not in love, dear, and SO I mean to
keep my freedom. -
That was said--and said truly them
some weeks before she came on this
visit to Halcombe Grange and there met
the artist, Eric Errington, but could she
have said the same as truly now, when
the visit was drawing to close? The
lips might perhaps. The heart was an
other matter entirely, and she knew it.
She was no tyro of girl in her teens,
but woman who lived in the world
and neither could nor would deceive
herself. She knew that she loved Err
rington and he loved her, despite his
proud reticence and silence. What wom-
an could not read between the lines?
What man could possibly at all times
completely guard every look and tone
and touch when thrown so constantly
each day with the loved one? He is I'M
conscious how or when his secret is be-
trayed to that one.
But no one save Isbel Brandon herself
suspected Errington s secret. He neither
held aloof nor markedly sought her.
But there were one or two others among
the party who did SO, and one day Ma
jor Glyn, the host, said half jestingly
to Eric:
my dear fellow, why don't you try
your chance with the beautiful heiress
and win fortune and Herewith a
speedy rise to fanle?'
"Thank you, not l., said the artist,
with laugh and shrug, to cover the
deeper feelings stirred. II have no in
tention Of being ticketed fortune hunt
err by the world or the fair lady herself.
Even a poor devil Of an artist may keeI
his pride and honor untarnished.
But, Errington, nonsense!" Glyr
said. Suppose you really cared for .
girl who happened to be rich?'
$50 much the worse for me, Glyn."
"You really mean that you wouldn't
WOO her or ask her hand?"
Never" said the other.
This had passed on the terrace.
Some one half behind the lace cur
tains of window above drew back,
with quivering lips and heaving breast.
Is this terrible gold Of mine to be
ever, then, hopeless barrier between
two lives?" Isbel muttered, locking hel
white hands. "He will never speak,
never breathe word, and + Heaven,
what can 1.-THE woman-say or dc
without shame? And yet-yet-is gold
and u mistaken but noble pride and
sense Of honor to keep us apart forever
know he loves me--would tell me sc
at once were poor. Oh, it is cruel,
cruell Something ought-nust be done,
but WHAT"
There it was; she, the woman, was
SO helpless. And shortly after this the
party broke up.
A month later the artist one evening
received letter from Isbel, and, to hi
utter surprise and joy, oddly mixed witt
pain, she wished him to paint her por
trait. Would he please call on her at Il
the next day.
Of course he would 60, but how &
through the ordeal without self be
trayal?
Isbel had to strive with herself mucl
harder for the ordeal she had at length
with an infinite courage, resolved tt
face. Therefore was it she had named
an hour free from all visitors, and whel
her aunt, Mrs. Brandon, would still b.
i'll her own apartment. One Of the two
she saw, must cross the Rubicon ant
burn the boats behind if both their live
were to be saved from wreck, and sine
| he would not, well, she, the heiress
must, whatsoever the cost.
| When she was told he was in tn
drawing room-when almost the actua
moment had arrived-her heart sank
and at the very door she had to pause
minute to pull herself together. The
she went in. How the mans dark eye
lighted up! How unconsciously clos
was the clasp Of his hand on hersl
she had had one feeting doubt Of hi
love, that second must have dispelled il
What pleasure to see you again
Miss Brandon! he said. And what al
honor you do me to let me paint you
Portrait
lis it? 1t ia good Of you to call it 80,
Isbel answered brightly, but inward,
every nerve was quivering and strained
Aunt Mary began again yesterda.
about having my picture done. 90
wrote to you. Ny aunt will be dow
presently, but in the meanwhile we cal
arrange the sittings, dress and 20 forth.
Erington passed By the 80 forth,