The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-03-30
CROSSING THE GULF.

y
anything, Thousand times better than
having husband one doesn't care for.
Pm not in love, dear, and SO mean to
keep my freedom.
That was said-and said truly then
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 a close? The
lips might perhaps The heart was an
other matter entirely, and she knew it,
She was no tyro of a 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 fane?''
Thank you, not l." said the artist,
with laugh and shrug, to cover the
deeper feelings stirred. 81 have no in
tention of being ticketed fortune hunt
err by the world or the fair lady herself.
Even poor devil of an artist may keep
his pride and honor untarnished
''But, Errington, nonsensep' Glyn
said. Suppose you really cared for a
girl who happened to be rich?'
$50 much the worse for me, G1yn"
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 her
white hands. He will never speak,
never breathe word, and L Heaven,
what can 1.-The woman-say or do
without shame? And yet-yet-is gold
and mistaken but noble pride and
sense of honor to keep us apart forever?
I know he loves me-would tell me SO
at once were l poor. Oh, it is cruel,
cruell Something ought-must 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 a letter from Isbel, and, to his
utter surprise and joy. oddly mixed with
pain, she wished him to paint her por-
trait. Would he please call on her at IL
the next day.
Of course he would go, but how go
through the ordeal without self be-
trayal?
Isbel had to strive with herself much
harder for the ordeal she had at length,
with an infinite courage, resolved to
face. Therefore was it she had named
an hour free from all visitors, and when
her aunt, Mrs Brandon, would still be
in her own apartment. One of the two,
she saw must cross the Rubicon and
burn the boats behind if both their lives
were to be saved from wreck, and since
he would not, well, she, the heiress,
must, whatsoever the cost.
When she was told he was in the
drawing room-when almost the actual
moment had arrived-her heart sank,
and at the very door she had to pause a
minute to pull herself together Then
she went in. How the mans dark eyes
lighted up! How unconsciously close
was the clasp of his hand ON hersi If
she had had one fieeting doubt of his
love. that second must have dispelled it.
"What pleasure to see you again,
Miss Brandonp' he said "And what an
honor you dc me to let me paint your
Portrait"
sis it? 1t is good of you to call it so, -
Isbel answered brightly, bat inwardly
every nerve was quivering and strained.
Aunt Mary began again yesterday
Rbout having my picture done, so I,
wrote to you. My aunt will be down
presently, but in the meanwhile 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 itself
gave her fresh surety of her ground,
"but you must do me the great favor to
let that part rest until the work is fin
ished. You are not like stranger
Indeed hope not, Isbel said gen.
tly. "Well, be it as 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
a moment that was agony. Two lives
happiness or misery hung on her cour-
age or failure.
Well, I suppose your time is valua--
ble?'' she said, turning to him, but her
eyes did not fully meet his. "By the
bye, Mr.. Errington, believe-if am
rightly informed-that 1 have come to
congratulate your
Congratulate mer' 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, 1 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
a strained way and drew back a step.
at never could be true of mel"
But why not?' persisted Isbel, now
standing to her colors with true femi-
nine stanchness, her eyes aglow, her
soft tones steady. If, as heard. you