The Monmouth inquirer., 1897-08-26


been educated with the seclusion of
nun, in spite of her foreign experience, 4
and her devotion to her art had kept
her still secluded from choice after
she returned to her home.
1t was, therefore, no amazement, but
simply delight to her, when the hand
some fisherman, who looked one Of ma
ture's noblemen in his rough, pictures
que dress, conversed with her intelli-
gently and paid her the courteous re-
spect of a gentleman Little by little,
as they drew more closely together in
their daily intercourse, James Smith
let the brilliant intellect, the Travelled
knowledge he possessed creep out into
sight. He gave her to understand,
without actually lying, that he had
been sailor, and so accounted for
his familiarity with the scenes she had
visited and carried craven on her heart
and brain. He looked over many OF
her sketch books, wondering at the
power in the slender hands, the genius
of the youthful brain, the fidelity of
touch and eye, and, as the restraint OF
strangeness wore away, his true man
hood asserted itself and his heart rose
his master. How could he but love
heri With all her wondrous gift, she
was the purest, simplest maiden he had
ever met. Ladies he had known by
scores, finished in every graceful ac-
complishment, but never one more ex-
quisite in refinement than Lena. Peas
ant girls he had seen with beauty
unadorned," yet not one more unaffect.
ed than this artist maid in her dress
of cheap print, her hair simply bound
in heavy braids of golden lustre.
There was the unaffected grace OF
girlhood, with the we'll stored mind OF
one who made books, music and arr
daily companions.
His conscience rebelled often at the
deceit he was practicing, but he hugged
the thought of the luxury he could offe1
his love, the toll he could spare her.
June was yet young when the pic
ture was completed, and in the early
morning James Smith, Aunt Margaret
and Lena stood upon the beach look
ing upon it's beauty. 1t was to be
packed and sent to New York in the af-
ternoon and Lena, her heart full, said,
softly:
How can I live if it is a failure?"
Believing she spoke of actual pow
erty, should her art fail to win money
James Smith, with a sudden, over
whelming love controlling him, spoke
out. 1t would make my story too long
to tell the words that made Lena's
heart tremble and her eyes grow misty.
while Aunt Margaret's wrath was kind
ling at the fisherman's presumption.
But when Lena's hand was fast pris-
oned in his own when her eyes, love
lighted, were dropping and her cheeks
blushing under his gaze, James Smith
said:
But, though / have once deceived
you, Lena, you may trust me now for
all time
Deceived me?" she cried, shrinking
a little
Il am not James Smith. but Mortf-
mer Gilroy; not an honest, hard-work
ing fisherman only an idle, useless
gentleman. You will not need to work
when you are my wife, Lena, but can
paint for pleasure only
Then Lena's eyes flashed merrily
and she would have spoken, even L
Aunt Margaret had not said, dryly
Perhaps it would be a good time to
tell Mr. Mortimer Gilroy who you are
DO not look so bewildered.' Lena
said Il am not masquerading. l an
simply what you know Madeleine
Seymour, artist. But Aunt Margare
wishes me to tell you that | paint now.
and have painted for years, solely fol
pleasurei love my arti | have loved
it better than any earthly pleasure
since first my hand could grasp a PEN
cil But | am not working for money
because / have more than enough. I
am rich, too though l do not pain
in satin dresses or wear jewels at the
seaside. Still, l did not mean any de-
ception!"
"And you would have bestowed YOU
wealth upon poor fisherman" asked
Mortimer Gilroy, with glad heart and
loving eyes.
She smiled, answering:
Il think / found the pearl in iS
rough case. l did not know your so
cial position, but I did know you were
a gentleman in heart and education. /
could not have loved you had youl
speech of manner been as rough as
your dress"
So Aunt Margaret was satisfied, ant
society welcomed Mortimer Gilroy's ar
tist wife, guessing nothing of the LITTLE
romance that was founded upon advet
tfsing for a model.-New York Ledger
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