The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21

fact is. your face has altered completely
since L first knew you, both in coloring and
expression, but especially in expression 1t
has lost that look of hopeless sadness, that
struck me, directly I saw you, the true
Ophelia' expression; but now that 1 have
caught it on canvas, I am heartily glad, for
your sake, that it has fed for it was not
at all the right look for young girls face
Il was so sad and unhappy them about
father" said Rose
But you don't feel unhappy noW?" he
asked, gently.
"Oh, no. was her smiling answer. ST have
never been so happy in all my life before.
Everything seems changed. l. myself, feel
different; don't understand how or why, 1
only know that it is so
Shall tell you why you feel different?
I think can. Come here
She followed him across the studio to where
an easel stood with a canvas upon it covered
over by a linen cloth.
AS he lifted the cloth, the last of the day
light fell on a half-finished picture, at sight
OF which an exclamation of surprise and
pleasure broke from Roses lips; for, in the
race OF the girl that looked out at her from
a background of Heavens blue, she recog
nized herself; but not Ophelia.
I have been working on that on the sly"
said the artist; though you never guessed
1t, during the last weeks sttings. That is
the look your face wore one afternoon as
you sat here in the studio waiting for me. 1
came in softly and just caught the express
sion, and it gave me both inspiration and
title. You see what have called it&A
Hearts Awakening"
Rose did not answer at once but stood
gazing at the picture, which represented a
young girl, with a rapt yet half-startled ex-
preston on her upturned face, as if she had
suddenly beheld some vision that filled her
with sort of fearful wonder and delight.
In the uplifted eyes was "a light that never
yet shone on land or sea-, while the lips, half
parted, curved in tender tremulous smile.
that you ever saw me look like that?" asked
Rose Iago, at length turning from the pic
ture to her companion.
Il did," he answered, in a low, intense
voice; "and by that look I knew that your
heart was awakening, that you were learning
to love. Nothing will ever make me believe
1 was mistaken. Your heart was asleep when
first knew you, and your face was cold and
sad-but since then it has awakened" He
paused. For a moment silence reigned in the
frelit studio. Then, taking her hand in his
he added passionately-his burning gaze
fixed upon her flushed, downcast face: eff
only dared think it was l. Rose, who awak-
ened your sleeping heart! Is it I? Answer
sweet, for PHYS sake-is it I, or someone
elSe?"
There. is no one else" was the almost
inaudiblel answer.
Then, if / have awakened your heart; it
belongs to me. You love. me, Rose22''... :.
She lifted her Head as fe drew heF User to'
him and whispered-se r. y
res. eFs1n<<sneaFt SsssOstTsseeaa v e
you" =
Then his lips met hers in long long kiss,
and the. two stood together in the warm glow
of the forgotten fire, whispering into each
others ears the three little words of the
eternal refrain, 81 love you,' while. outside
in the street, the dusk deepened into dark
ness and the lamplighter went his rounds
Hail. an hour later Maurice escorted Rose
back to. her home, where they found her
father, who had actually got the tea ready,
and was beginning to feel anxious.
A single glance at their faces told the truth
to Mat Iago, before even the young artist
spoke.
Yet the announcement agitated the man
deeply.
He was almost hysterical with excitement.
will it make you happier to have my
daughter for your wife," he asked abruptly
1T will be heaven earth to me-
Mat .Iago drew a deep breath of what
sounded like unspeakable relief as he an
swered, huskily-
Then take her, Maurice-with my blessing
You will be good to her, know and turn
ing away, he muttered to himself: This, per-
haps, is compensation and atonement."
The betrothed overheard the words and
exchanged glances.
What did your father mean?" asked the
artist, few minutes later, when Mat had
gene into the adjoining room.
81 don't know He often talks oddly like
that about making atonement I sometimes
think he must have something on his mind
81 am convinced of it. I daresay it is all
imagination; but, perhaps some day he will
tell what it isl
CHAPTER V.