The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-02-17

an nonor you 90 me 10 let me PdlnU
your Portrait"
is it? 1t is good of you to call it
| so," Isbel answered brightly, but in
wardly every nerve was quivering and
strained. Aunt Mary began again,
Yesterday, about having my picture
done, so l wrote to you. My aunt will
be down presently, but in the mean
while we can arrange the sittings, dress
and so forth"
Errington passed by the so forth"
and only arranged for her dress and
the sittings.
But now" she said, that that is
settled, we come to-you must please
name your"
Pardon me-" Errington interposed.
with resolute quietude that in itself
gave her fresh surety OF her ground.
but you must do me the great favor
to let that part rest until the work is
finished. You are not like stranger
"Indeed, hope not" Isbel said gent
ly. well, be it as you please, then"
Thank you very much, Miss Bran
don.'
He rose. She, too, stood up. The
moment had come. The woman's
heart stood still for a moment that was
agony Two lives happiness or misery
hung on her courage or failure.
We'll, l suppose your time is valu-
able?" she said, turning to him, but
her eyes did not fully meet his. BY
the by, Mr.. Errington, believe-if l
am rightly informed-that l have I'd
congratulate you"
Congratulate mel" repeated the ar
tist in genuine surprise. For what?
On what account?"
His surprise and, oddly enough, the
comedy of the position gave her new
courage.
why, heard that you are engaged
to an heiress," she said.
The Rubicon was crossed. There was
no going back now. Errington flushed
to the brow, then paled again.
1T is absolutely untrue" he said in
a strained way, and drew back step.
1T never could be true of mel"
"But why not?" persisted Isbel, now
standing to her colors with true femi-
nine stanchness, her eyes aglow. her
soft tones steady IF, as l heard, you
are attached to her, why should your
engagement be an impossibility, as you
imply?"
Had some one-Glyn, perhaps-dared
to tell her this, meaning herself, but
without naming her, flashed across Eric
in naughty wrath and pain.
why impossible?" he repeated,
stung to sort of desperation. Be
cause | am poor, struggling man who
holds his honor dearer even than love,
if the story were true. Neither the
world nor any woman born should
have the right to believe me a dishon-
ored fortune hunter"
The worlds Judgment" she said,
and now her breath came quickly. her
eyes flashed like diamonds. You are
not such a coward, l know, as to fear
| that. But is it much less cowardly to
be afraid Of even the risk OF the wo-
mans mistaking your motive-the wo-
man you love, remember?" She was
speaking with a strangely passionate,
II suppressed, force that sent sudden
| vague thrill through the mana dim
sense OF something that dazzled him, of
a personality beneath the overt mean
ing. an assertion Of his love for the
heiress as fact, not a mere figure of
argument. The woman you love. re-
member, and whose happiness, per-
haps, your pride may wreck as well as
your own, who doubtless knows your
| hearts secret and curses the miserable
gold and cruel pride that stands be-
tween your lives"
"Isbel!" Errington sprang to her
side, caught her hands in his own. The
girl burst into tears as he locked her
to his heart. The eension must needs
give way at last brave though she
was.
What matter if some of the world
did say, when the marriage took place,
that 1t was the brides money the paint
er had sought? He cared not, and
those who knew him and his wife knew
well it was love match entirely. The
picture-not mere portrait-of beau
tful Mrs. Errington, when seen the
next day at the academy, made a SEN
sation and sent up the rising artists
name at once.
so, after all, you see, Eric" his wife
says, arch and tender in tone you will
win the best in the end, fortune and
fame"
And the priceless treasure that
neither gold nor fame could buy" he
answers, smiling down on the dear