The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-06-12

week OF mad unrest over the most harmless
sort Of a friendship between Elinor and a
handsome young French lieutenant, who 50
well became the red and blue and gold toy
gerry Of his uniform. Then came Giverny,
where Madame Warrington took her fam
ily for the summer. Jack had felt sure of
finding such an unusual field for studies
six half finished sketches were the sole
fruit Of that summer he now remembers
Giverny with its hills and its delicious by
paths; its old gray houses, red rooted and
balconied, and vinehung; its whispering
poplars and narrow little river in a misty
setting Of willows. And then-one never
forgotten night, star set, in which he
walked in Paradise crowned with the gift
of Elinor love The thought of it was a
madness yet. 1t made his brain reel.
There had followed three weeks of the JOY
that is neither on sea or land. Madame
Merrington had looked with favor from the
beginning upon Elinor lover. He was
the we'll beloved and loving son Of one of
her dearest friends How could she say
him nay? Elinor she had long ago
taken to her heart. Here was the girl of
girls for Jack Lawrence And then came
the night before Elinor was to go back to
town and Jack on to Italy. A night flower
crowned and moonlight washed, fitting
tribute to the dying summer, Elinor said
she had been singing Tosti's sGd5d- Bye.
There never had been such 4 summer.
She sang straight from her heart. As the
last goodbye trembled away into silence
her lover lips were upon hers. He bent
over her, clasping her to him
All, what fortune is in your voice,
my darling, he murmured THE world
should have had the benefit of its gift Of
yours
II intend that it shall, Jack dear,
said Elinor, quietly. And then some
thing urged Jack on. What was it? His
sense OF proprietorship? That stumbling
block in man attitude toward woman
..No, not now, Elinor dear, not when
you are my wife, my wife can not sing in
public, he stumbled on.
.'Then will not be your wife, Jack,
said Elinor firmly and proudly.
But Elinoir-darling-I could not
have it--you know, =
Jack. dear, we may as well under
stand each other, said Elinor clearly,
MY voice is certainly gift; as such |
have been trying TO perfect it to the end
of giving it to the world music. Think
of the good that | can do with it. Think
of what | owe for it TO my father, to
the world, to the one who gave it ? But
Jack would not think Of these things in
any but a foolish light, the foolish light OF
imagining himself the husband of a public
singer. Elinor tried to reason him out of
such absurdity. He could not reason, he
was beyond it. He simply and doggedly
persisted in his first attitude, and Ellinor 5
proud spirit asserted itself-how woefnlly
misunderstood she felt-and so there was
an end of it all.
CHAPTER II.
\ heartless coquette, Jack had called
her. Why had Jack persisted or brought
up this question? He knew that Ellinor
was studying with an end in view. Why
did he not know that women with aims in
life always find the end wifehood and
motherhood the highest and best and joy
fully pursue it and therefore fcrbear? But
he was young man of decided opinions
based upon a knowledge of women.
And 50 the end came, making Jack S ltal-
ian journeying unfruitful, and making Eli
nor way, which had seemed so clear, 4
blurring mist And to this had been add
ed more sad days for Elinor-days that
had brought in their train ambition re-
newed, goaded on by necessity. And
now here, just as Elmer was well again on
the road to success, had come something
knocking at her heart that blurred again
her vision.
1T is hard, hard, Ellinor said with
shut teeth again to herself, as she found
Jack Lawrence in the seat next to her at
Kate Overton' small dinner the following
Wednesday. But Kate kept Jacks at
teution upon herself and so saved Ehnor.
Poor dear, what is there between
them thought Kate as she saw Jack S
eyes fairly deyom EIlinor' face for mo-
ment and Just faint flush rise in Elinor 5
cheek as she looked coldly at Jack.
He has known her and loved her,
and loves her yet, I'm sure. Does
she love him p Kate wondered, her
soul alive for a romance. Just once Jack
managed to find Elinor alone that evening.
.Elinor, he said in a tense whisper,
catching her quivering fingers in his mas
terful ones. But she turned coldly and
he fell back before the scorn in her look.
The scorn assumed to hide the quivering
of her lips
do sing said Kate Overton coming
over to them, apparently seeing nothing,
but really having seen the sudden hand
clasp. Elinor sang, merry little song,
that deceived the heart that loved her,
though it did not deceive Kate Overton.
She was a far-seeing and Thoughtful, young
woman, was Kate, for one so young.
what is your idea of life p was one
of the questions Kate was wont TO fling
broadcast as she tried to solve for herself
the conundrum, existence And this was
only her second season out. She asked
Jack this question one day, when he seem
ed much disgruntled. Life is "a demni-
ton grind and bottomless pit of trou-
bic, he answered.
''Well, for rich young man who has
always done as he pleased and has never
been crossed in love-
'sHaven't u interrupted Jack,
unguardedly, while Kate dove eyes looked
at him innocently.
''You have learned your lesson badly.
I'll wait until some day when the sur
shines, Kate said airily She was fond
of this flirting with Philosophy.
Jack apd Elinor met constantly, as they
we're doomed to, Ellinor avoiding Jack ii
every way Not that he seems to mind
she at last began to think almost bitterly,
for he is always fast at the side of Kate
! Overton. So three months had gone and
Jack had made great pretensions toward
setting up his studio and working; he was
/ praised and courted on all sides, but he
was no farther along in what he wished tc
accomplish, nor was ElinOr farther away
! from certain mad regret that seemed to
| pursue her. She saw his growing devo-