The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-30
pressed MS aana waraly ana Oaoe nrm


But how could be extricste himself
from his dilemma? How could be an
swer to a high spirited woman for the de-
ception he had practlced upon herf As
70 persuading Jacques to consent to any
arrangement for keeping up the decep-
ton, that was out OF the question. Where
his art was concerned the painter would
prove as deaf as a post and as unman-
ageable as balky horse. So Eugene
was puzzled.
Finally a bright idea occurred to him.
"Why not" thought he, give comic
turn to the affair? IL properly done,
Leonie will be disarmed. She Is easily
moved to laughter, and then l will ex-
plain and beg her forgiveness"
Alasi Poor Eugene's idea was not q
happy one.
The next day when Leonie appeared IL
was jacques who met her at the door.
He was in blouse, cap and carried palette
aud brushes.
"Can I see NJ. Bruhierey" she asked
with some little surprise.
"That is my name, madam" replied
the painter.
"You Jacques Bruhierew said she. with
an amused laugh, and she pushed by him
and entered the studio. "You the great
painter? No, nor and she seated herself
and looked at him deiantly.
But IL she was at her case in the studio
he was more so. Her quick woman's eye
noted this, and on the easel there was al
ready begun canvas in which she rec
ognized the masters touch. Leonie was
becoming I'll Mt ease. She picked up a
little Hindoo god which stood on the ia
Bile beside her and fingered 1t nervously.
Her hands trembled, the little monster
slipped from them aud dashed in pieces
on the floor.
The artist stepped to the wall and rang
the bell. The door opened, and servant
entered clad in livery and wearing an
apron. rendered necessary by the fact of
his cleaning brushes.
did monsieur ringT he asked.
Leonie stared Mt him and grew white.
Eyes, JEAN" replied the artist. Cath
err up the fragments of this trife, 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.,
lie stopped. Her white, set face, her
staring eyes, frightened him.
"A lackeyw she Kissed, "a base lackeyI
And l have loved this heartless, cruel,
lying wretch
With sudden impulse Of fury she
snatched up a pretty toy, silver pom
lard, which lay upon the table, and
sprang at Eugene. Quick as a fash the
artist dashed between them. But quick
as he was, he was too late. The poniard
struck Eugene in the side, inflicting
deep wound At this Leonie uttered
shrek and tainted away.
E,,.ana.s ,an,adv had haaoma trap-
edy.
"Truly a pretty sight for the studio Of
an honest, hardworking painter" groan-
ed 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 the Comtesse de
Sagone, whose house was always filed
with the literary men o.. the day, and she
invariably secured the literary lion. She
was making her way through the bril-
liant throng toward LeoDie.
MY dear" said she when she reached
her, ''you have read that novel OF which
all Paris is talking Its Deux Prin-
cessesY"
"Yes," said Leonie, "it is charming
work"
do you know its author?"
"Eugene de Lassi? No. Is he here
this EVENING"
Eyes, and / want to present him to
you. All, there he is. NJ. de Lassi! And
In another moment there stood before Lee
onie-the false painter.
For a moment he hesitated, but the old
spell reasserted itself, and she found her
self listening almost against her will to
his pleas for pardon, and he pleaded his
cause most eloquently.
Il nm half inclined pot to forgive you,"
she said at length. You acted abomina-
bly,. You know you did"
II acted like fool and knaye," said
Eugene, "and you ought never to pardon
me, but you will, won't your"
SWELL" said the beauty semlreluctant-
ly, ''lf you'll be a very good boy
yes"
"And never deceive me again.
"Never."
"And never paint any more such
wretched treesf"
Never"
"Then forgive you for having played
the servant"
but want to play 1t again"
She looked at him inquirlngly.
II want TO be your servant forever"
Their first child was a boy. He was
called Jacques de Lassi, and Bruhiere
was his godfather.-Adapted For Argo-
naut From the French.