, 1897-04-16
CROSSING THE GULF,

CROSSING THE GULF.
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 S., 900 a 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, 3" laughed the
young lady. "An old maid is as good as
anything, a thousand times better than
having a husband one doesn't care for.
I'm not in love, dear, and SO l mean to
keep my freedom"
That was said-and said fully then
some weeks before she came Oh 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 u 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 a woman who lived in the world
and neither could nor would deceive
herself. She knew hat she loved Err
rington and he loved her, despite his
proud reticence and silence. What wom-
an could no read between the lines?
What man could possibly ut 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
But no one save Isbel Brandon herself
suspected Errington's secret. He neither
held aloof nor markedly sought her.
But there were III OF 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
HlA VIII u lolluue uuu U llA u
speedy rise to fame?"
"Thank you, not l." said the artist.
with q laugh and shrug, to cover the
deeper feelings stirred. II have no i'll
tention of being ticketcd fortune hunt
er' by the world or the fair lady herself.
Even a poor devil Of an artist may keep
his pride and honor untarnished."
but, Errington, nonscnsc!' Glyn
said. "%Suppose You really cared for n
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 half behind the lace cur
tains of a window above drew back,
with quivering lips and heaving breast.
"Is this terrible gold of mine to be
ever. then, u hopeless barrier between
two lives?" Isbel muttered, locking her
white hands. He will never speak.
neve breathe a word, and J. Heaven,
what can 1.-The woman-say or do
without shame? And yet-yet-is gold
and a 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 1 poor. Oh, it is cruel,
crueli Something ought-must be done,
but WHAT"
There it was she, the woman, was
20 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 Mt 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 wi 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, we'll, 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 upl How unconeciously close
vas the clasp Of his hand on hers! II
sic had had one f1eeting doubt Of his
love, that second must have dispelled it.
"What . pleasure to see you again,
Miss Brandonl' he said. "And what an
honor you do me to let me. paint your
p~oetraitr"
"Is iti It il good Of you to call it 60"
Isbel answered brightly, but inwardly
every nerve was quivering and strained.
"Aunt Mary began again yesterday
shout having my picture done, SO I
wrote to you. Ny aunt will be down
Rssently, but in the meanwhile we can
arrange the dttings. dress md 80 forth"
Erington passed BY the 80 FORTH"
end only arranged for hee. dress and the
dttinga
"Bst now" she said. THAT that is
ssttlsd, NO come to-you must please
same your
"Pardon me-" Errington tntssposed,
With rssoluss ,quietude that In itself
Ravo her fresh surety Of her ground,