Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-03

married again-a rich Italian Count, and is
oh, l dare say, very happy"
Have you seen her since?'' asked sus-
piciously-heaven knows why"
"Ohi yes,'' he answers ito be sure. I
have. They are in Paris now We have
many a. hearty laugh over the bygones,
Chadwick She viii be here presently with
her husband. 1 should like to introduce
You to her just for the fun OF the thing"
he adds with the old hearty laugh, which
l remember so well.
'Oh!' I cry, scared out of my eQuanim-
ity by the suggestion; ''but l would much
rather not, Mr.. White-I would. indeedr'
She won't reproach you, professor" he
goes on, in the same tight, tiresome way
'Why, she ought to thank you very
warmly. Fancy, a real Countess of good
old Italian stock, instead OF poor paint
ers wifei
Il ought 10 congratulate you Mr. White,
on the fame which your genius has brought
to you" 1 am anxious to change the
subject and glad of the opening which
gives me the opportunity of doing so IT
am so proud to think that the celebrated
Robert White has been a pupil of mine"
He regards me with a very odd express
sion, and feel uncomfortable beneath his
gaze.
.Yes-exactly," he answers absently.
Suddenly his face fushes, his eyes dilate
and take new life and light into them,
and he looks over my head toward the en-
trance doors.
''She has come" he says, half-loud.
turn quickly and look in his direction.
A tan. fir haired woman. strangely beau
tiful and queenlike, is entering the room.
her gloved hand resting upon the arm of
spare, dark faced, dark hired man of
middle age and saturqiine expression. She
looks toward young White and her face
changes. too, and takes new life upon it,
jus tas his has done.
Instinctively l say: rs that the Count
ess?"
Yes, to be sure" is Whites reply. rs
she not beautiful? A goddess linked to a
satyr, Professor-own that, viii your"
He is strangely excited 1 see all the
story, oh! so clearly now, or fancy that
do, and 1 turn strangely cold and faint.
She passes US, leaning on her husbands
arm; she smiles graciously at Robert. and
inclines her head, crowned with sparkling
diamonds. He bows very low. The for
eign count looks at him out of the corners
Oh MS eyes, out DOWS dlHlOSI lIlsfulyt hlAu
I can almost fancy, menaceingly. Hus-
band and wife proceeded toward the host
ess to make their acknowledgements and 1
say quietly to my companion:
II hope they are a happy couple. these
two"
1T is no business of yours" he answers,
almost rudely, and then adds. ''or Of
mine"
Still we shall do them no harm by
wishing them happiness Mr. White"
He losses back his head and laughs
again.
"Ohl certainly not. There never came
much harm of such wish as that"
l hardly understand him; perhaps he is
purposely obscure unmeandng.
What picture she will maker he says
suddenly. 1T shall be the talk of Paris
three months hence"
'aPicture?" I repeat
Eyes, 1 have a commission from her
husband to paint her portrait" he ex-
plains.
Indeed
HE puts no restriction on my price; he
will pay like a prince. He IS one OF the
| clients dear to the heart of the artist"
''Ye-es,' 1 answer; "aHd-and her pic
/ turel How strange it all isl"
| "Ah! Professor. you are right 1t is all