The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-27
HER PROTEGE.

Donb you unuefstanur ne went on
gioomiiy. "what Is merely an agreeable
oompanionship 10 you means very life to
me. You possess every moment Of my ex-
istenoe''--
"And you mean" she interrupted, with
a cruel little laugh, "that II were to ao-
cept you, and the uncertainty were over,
you would be rid Of the thought Of mel'
"Clarel''
By the bye haven't seen you In the
row for the last-I don't know how long. -
"No; found IL too expensive"
Poor boyl feel inclined sometimes
to marry you for the sake of your poverty
My money welded to your genius'-
Would make a nice scandal for the
busybodies. 1t Is your wealth, Clare, that
reconciles 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 1t is all nonsense.
shouldn't be in love with even love in
cottage, assure you"
AT the foot of the stairs he ran against
Sir John barton.
with assumed cordiality. Been to sec
Clare? Is she inp And how goes the pic
turef"
ooh, I suppose it will be ready" Stock
dale answered.
Hope it will be hung on the line-de-
serves to be, I'm surel'
"You are very kind"
The baronet shook hands with 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 a poor, unknown
artist, to whom the most beautiful ac-
complished and wealthy heiress had been
kind during an intoxicating season in
Italy, where with the usual unconyen-
tionality of English folk abroad, they had
formed an intimate acquaintance and she
had given him II frank friendship in re-
turn for this burning admiration that
grew to consuming passion?
Yes, that was all, and yet not quito 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.
Greek muse Erato crowned with roses and
myrtle and holding Tyre in her hand.
The subject had occurred to him one day
in Italy when ho was standing with Glare
on flower terrace mt sunset. In his pic
ture he had represented the very soCne-
her attitude the surrounding beauties Of
warm southern C0loring, and he had
caught the inspiration on her lovely face,
though lie had not dared to portray her cx-
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 proteHo here
again, Clure?" he began, refusing lcr offer
to ring for fresh tea
"Ycs," she said carelcssly. "That has
been my one excitement. How Gid you
ges on with my lawyers?"
"Mattcrs are as bud as they can be. I
shall 60 On lighting the case CT course"
"Gh," she interrupted, "wlly do you
bother so much, unclcf l 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 l lcnyo all my property to you,
and your fathers estate can 20 to the Yul-
lures tomorrow"
"And what Is your sanctionf" she
smiled
Surely, Clare your woman's quickness
has Graspcd why encourage Lord Arthur
Bradley so c0nstantlyfh
Lord Arthur Bradley? The little lame
man with the squint?"
The case was this: A few months ago
her father had died in Italy, and hy some
blundcr of q lawyers copyist her name in
the will was omitted, SO that the Prop
erty could be and was claimed by s1mo
elder children, her stepssters, who had
treated their father abominahly.
Mark Stockdale had great name to
make, and she, who gloried in his gifts as
much us 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 soirco |
came at last, and Clare Darton and Sir
John made their way up the wide staircase,
to greet the president standing ut the top.
II think we have donG we'll this year"
he said to Sir john. "DOn't forget to no.
tiCc an Erato by Mark Stockdale. 1t Is tho
best thing hung-ahsOlutel tho best thing.
We shall have to elect him. Paris must !
not snatch all our young geniuses, and |
hear lie is equally well represented in tho !
salon ~
A crowd was thronging tho picture when |
they reached it, ard Sir John stopped 10
speak to several friends. Glare found
COS m nj nd cut ff,N ,k
her opportunity of getting near the picture.
1t was not long before the artist discover.
ed her.
"At last" he whispered. 81 have been
hunting for you the whole evening""
ave have only just come, she said.
Have you no congratulations for nc, !
Clarc?"
"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 thinks9"
at matters the whole world to me-"
"Thcn l am glad, Mark; very very
glad"
you are so good to me tonight" he !
said softly. My cup seems almost too
full, Clare" !
"Thcn we will dash it from your lips"
she laughed
mo" he said, "ths hand shall not no |
ruthless tonight"-and she let him take it !
unhesitatngly in his" whatever the NOR. !
row may bring"
"The morrow Shall I tell you what it
will bringt"
eyes, he answered, taking possession i
Of the other hand. II can bear anything
in this moment"
"Thon, Mark, listen. Tomorrow your
Erato will don her Cinderella garments
and weep for the glass slipper. Mon ami |
l heard today have not penny in the
world! | have foreseen it for MONTHS but |
wouldn't toll you before Now you are
famous have nothing to fear, My-ny
love can t harm you now. London News