News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-12-27

81 know, poor girl know. y
"And hate your eXCellency."
She rushed past him, not sobbing
then, and they heard the swish of her
skirt in the hail. and all was still for
moment till Washington said
"Well. Peale, am re-; =.
81 hope your excellency will forgive
me.
sob, she's very-yes, very pretty l
have no blame for you She almost
made me say what she wanted me to. "
"You are very good, said the artist.
"Oh, don't be bothered, " said the
chief, smiling. "Do go on.
Yet Mr. Peales cunning Of eyes and
hand seemed to have deserted him, and
that hours sitting was altogether I'M
satisfactory When his sitter had gone,
he decided to take turn in the air to
see if that might put this mood away.
An hour after Burton was asked by
Miss Ronald if Mr.. Peale were in. No
Might she not see the portrait again2
Burton did not hesitate and left her
in the studio.
Did she wish to ask Of that face how
she might bring the original to her pur-
pose? The figure stood firm, the hand
on the cannon. The boy and the horse
of the right, the line Of soldiery Of the
background, the two officers at the left,
but brought out the forcefulness of that
one personality. So he dominated all in
this war. He appeared to Eleanor Ron
aid of pitiless strength What had led
her here to look at it after that inter
view? She could not have told. She
had said it was the wish to apologize
to Mr. Peale. But, finding him out, she
had asked to see the portrait, Now,
looking at it, her heart was full Of de-
spairful passion Everything had been
tried for Captain Jermyn and last of
all she had made her appeal and had
failed The portrait seemed to take the
place of the original. She hated it as
fercely as she did him, as much as she
loved John Jermyn. One of those in
tense natures that give all she could
be everything that is exquisite in wom-
an, could be honest and faithful to the
last, and yet when it was the peril of
one she loved, she could be a mad wom-
an, and now it was madness fer the
moment.
The afternoon sunshine fell over the
figure, bringing out the details. Yes
its mocking strength appalled, and
shocked. Not knowing what she did
she seized a brush and made a-daub
over the face that suddenly became
leering Turning with a low cry she
hurried out through the hall to the
waiting coach, and in tone trembling
so that the man stared gave the order
What had she done? she asked. She
knew only too well, and she had but
hurt Mr. Peale. That calmly strong
figure was as much out of reach as
ever Self loathing left her i'll and gasp
ing as the coach drew to her door. So,
pale and listless, she reached her room.
On the desk was letter, and she start
ed, noting the hand and the seal Tear
ing it open she read;
DEAR NELL got away. Twill explain later.
But am unhurt and in New York. l. just have
reported to Sir Henry and now hasten tc APP
| prise you of the fact. Yrs, DEAR
JACK JERMYN.
A few moments after, all dead in her
heart save a passion of self AMUSEMENT,
she ordered her coach. But one course
was clear. She must 90 directly to Mr.
Peale, whom she had hurt Yet when
started she knew she could not. She
confessed she was weak 1t was easier
20 go to the general, whom an hour be.
lore she had so hated Yes, his excel.
ency CHANGED to be in that moment,
the orderly said at the door Some min
utes after he was free to this undenia.
bly, handsome young lady, who gazed
at him with sad, staring eyes. He
watched her, courteous and bowling.
81 am glad for you, Miss Ronald.
and privately for myself-to tell you
that Captain Jermyn is out of our juris
diction through most daring escape.
81 know, said she.
He stared, wondering why she ex
pressed so little elation.
He wrote you?'
Eyes he has written me-.
81 thought that might be the CASE
he began.
Don't speak to me kindlyr sht
broke out almost fiercely. 81 can't beal
it, for | am beneath contempt Oh, sir
| have been madl"
81 know, said he ,soothingly, chow
you must have felt "
''And what did do2 l hated you.
could have killed you. [ went back t.
Mr.. Peale to apologize to him, and, no
finding him, went in-I don t know
what prompted me-to look at the por
trait. | wanted to study you, think
to find how | might move you.
eyes, " said he. 81 must have seemed
hard,
"You did-horribly hard Well, tn,
sight of that face-your painted face
maddened and-and--I took F.;
brush | found and daubed it. F."
He looked at her in establishment.
"And you only hurt Mr.. Peale.
"God forgive me, only hurt Mr.
Peale.
He walked up and down. This wa