Evening star., 1897-02-20

the Face.
An hour after Burton was asked by Miss
Ronald if Mr.. Peale were in. No. Might
she not see the portrait again? Burton did
not hesitate. and left her In the studio.
Did she wish to ask of that face how she
might bright the original to her purpose?
The figure stood firm, the hand on the can
non. The boy and the horse of the right,
the line of soldiery of the background the
two officers at the left. but brought out the
forcefulness of that one personality. So he
dominated all in this war. He appeared to
Eleanor Ronald of pitiless strength. What
had led her here to look at 1t, after that
interview? She could not have told She
had said it was the wish to apologize to
Mr.. Peale. But, finding him out, she had
asked to see the portrait. Now. looking at
it, her heart was full of despairful passion.
Everything had been tried for Capt. Jer-
myn, and last of all she had made her
appeal and had failed. The portrait seemed
to take the place of the original. She hated
1t as fiercely she did him; as much as
she loved John Jermyn. One of those in
tense natures that give all, she could be
everything that is exquisite in woman,
could be honest and faithful to the last,
and yet. when it was the peril of one she
loved she could be mad woman. And
now it was madness for the moment.
The afternoon sunshine fell over the
figure, bringing out the details. Yes, Its
mocking strength appalled, and shocked.
Not knowing what she did she seized
brush and made daub over the face that
suddenly became leering. Turning with
low cry she hurried out through the hall
to the waiting coach, and in a tone trem-
bling SO that the man stared, gave the Or
der.
What had she done? she asked. She
knew only too we'll: and she had but hurt
Mr.. Peale. That calmly strong figure was
as much out of reach as ever. Self-loath-
ing left he. i'll and gasping. as the coach
drew to her door. So pale and listless she
reached her room. On the desk was let
ter. and she started, noting the hand and
the seal. Tearing it open, she read:
Dear Nell: l got away. 1 will explain
later But l am unhurt and in New York.
just have reported to Sir Henry, and now
hasten to apprise you of the fact. yrs,
dear, Jack Jermyn."
A few moments after, all dead in her
Heart save the passion of self-abasement,
she ordered her coach But one course was
clear. She must go directly to Mr.. Peale
whom she had hurt. Yet, when started
she knew she could not She confessed she
was weak. 1t was easier to go to the gen
eral, whom an hour before she had so
hated. Yes, his excellency CHANGED to be
in that moment the orderly said at the
door. Some minutes after he was free to
this undeniably handsome young lady. VINO
gazed at him with sad, staring eyes. He
watched her, courteous and bowling.
Il am glad for you, Miss Ronald-and pri-
vately for myself-to tell you that Captain
Jermyn Is out of our jurisdiction through
most daring escape"
II know" said she.
He stared, wondering why she expressed
so little elation.
He wrote you?'
"Yes, he has written me-"
IT thought that might be the case" he
began.
Don't speak to me kindly" she broke
Cut, almost f1ercely. Il can't bear It, for
I am beneath contempt. Oh. sir, 1 have
been mad"
Il know" said he. soothingly, "how you
must have felt"
"And what did I do? I hated you. I
could have killed you. 1 went back to Mr.
Peale to apologize to him, and not finding
him, went in-I don't know what prompted
me-to look at the portrait. l wanted to
study you, l think; to find how 1 might
move you"
Yes said he. Il must have seemed
hard"
"You did-horribly hard Well, the sight
of that face-your painted face-maddened
me-and-and-I took a brush l found and
daubed it,
He looked at her in establishment.
And you only hurt Mr.. Peale"
God forgive me, 1 only hurt Mr. PeaIe. -
He walked up and down. This was worse
than before Trenton. Yet, she did not
seem the least hysterical. His heart stirred;
for she was very pretty and in distress
MY dear young lady," he said soothing
ly. don't feel so badly. Come with me to
Mr.. Peale. I will explain all. and put the
blame on myself"
but you did not daub the portrait"
"Ah. yes. by proxy; made you do it,"
smile broke through the tears that
would come. "Oh, sir, if you would help
me that much. I should go alone and tell
him, but with you'll shall be braver"
Then / am not SO bad after all?"
do not talk of being bad-after my ex-
ample" she cried.
But l know your provoca tion-your
highly nervous state over Capt Jermyn
That explains the whole situation to me
and 1t must to Mr.. Peale. Come, I will 20
now. and, despite matters, l will wait long
enough tomorrow to give him another sit.
ting. That ought to be enough after the
number Of times he has tried his hand on
me-"
Giving an order, he led her to her waiting
coach, and staring folk on the street sa q,
the great man driving with Miss Ronald
and guessed and gossiped
you are the greatest man in-in the
| world" she was saying.
Next to Capt; Jermyn," he said, smiling
You know that the easiest way to make
a woman think you are great man is tn
| try to please her.
| II wish Congress We're a woman. then "
] said he.
But. oh. your excellency, how can 7
| face Mr.. Peale?"
Don't mind" said he. I'VE will-to-
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