The Republican., 1899-10-19

But now could Ire eXtrlcate himself
from his dilemma? How could he ans
swer to high spirited woman for the
deception he had practiced upon heY?
AS to persuading Jacques to consent
TO any arrangement for keeping up the
deception, that was out of the ques-
ton; where his art was concerned the
painter would prove as deaf as a post
and as unmanageable as a balky horse.
So Eugene was puzzled.
Finally bright idea occurred to him.
''Why not thought he, give comic
turn to the affair? If properly done,
Leonie will be disarmed. She is easily
moved to laughter, and then L will ex-
plain and beg her forgiveness
Alas! Poor Eugene's idea was not a
happy one.
The next day when Leonie appeared,
it was Jacques who met her at the door.
He was in blouse, cap and carried
palette and brushes.
Can l see NJ. Bruhiere?" she asked,
with some little surprise.
That is my name, madame" replied
the painter.
You Jacques Bruhiere!" said she,
with an amused laugh; and she pushed
by him and entered the studio. You
the great painter? No, mol" and she
seated herself and looked at him de-
family.
But if she was at her ease in the
studio, he was more so. Her quick
woman's eye noted this, and on the
easel there was already begun a can
vas in which she recognized the mas
ter's touch. Leonie was becoming i'll
at ease. She picked up a little Hindoo
god which stood on the table beside
her and fingered it nervously. Her
hands trembled, the little monster
Slipped from them and dashed to pieces
on the floor.
The artist stepped to the wall and
rung the bell. The door opened and
servant entered, clad in livery and wear
ing an apron-rendered necessary by
the fact of his cleaning brushes.
Did monsieur ring?" he asked.
Leonie stared at him and grew white.
"Yes, Jean" replied the artist. Cath
er up the fragments of this trifie, which
madame has unfortunately broken.
Now" said he, turning to Leonie, " if
madame will kindly inform me to what
l owe the honor of this Wis"
He stopped. Her white, set face, her
staring eyes, frightened him.
"a lackey!" she hissed; "a base
lackey! And | have loved this heart
less. cruel, lying wretch"
With a sudden impulse of fury she
snatched up pretty toy, silver
poniard, which lay upon the table, and
sprang at Eugene. Quick as a flash
the artist dashed between them. But
quick as he was, he was too late. The
poniard struck Eugene in the side, in
ficting a deep wound. AS he did so,
Leonie uttered a shrek and tainted
away.
Eugene's comedy had become q
tragedy.
''Truly pretty sight for the studio
of an honest, hard-working painter"
groaned Jacques Bruhiere. as he gazed
upon the two PROSTATE forms. This
comes of obliging your friends. Catch
me doing it again
Three years had passed. Leonie was
in the brilliant salon of COmtesse de
Sagone, whose house was always filled
with the literary men of the day, and
she invariably secured the literary lion.
She was making her way through the
brilliant throng toward Leonie.
MY dear" said she, when she reached
her, you have read that novel of which
all Paris is talking-'Les Deux Prin-
cesses?'"
Yes" said Leonie, ''it is a charming
work.
do you know its author?"
Eugene de Lassi? No. Is he here
this EVENING""
Yes, and | want to present him to
you. All, there he is. M. de Lassi."
and in another moment there stood be-
fore Leonie-the false painter!
For a moment she hesitated; but the
old spell reasserted itself and she found
herself listening, almost against her
Will, W HIS plCd lOl Pil tiOil' hAu hO
pleaded his cause most eloquently.
81 am half inclined not to forgive
you," she said, at length, 'you acted
abominably-you know you did"
81 acted like a fool and a knave,"
said Eugene, "and you ought never to
pardon me; but you will, won't you?'
''Well," said the beauty, semi-reluc-
family, IF you'll be very good boy"
Eyes"
Sand never deceive me again"
"Never."
"And never paint any more such
wretched trees"
"Never"
"Then forgive you for having played
the servant"
'But 1 want to play it again"
She looked at him inquiringly.
81 want to be your servant forever"
y
Their first child was a boy. He was
called Jacques de Lassi, and Bruhierc
was his godfather.-Adapted for the
San Francisco Argonaut from the
French of Theodore de Banville.
His Safety Ialve.
"Oh, yes" said the man with the