The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-25

Berinthia went over 70 Leroy. and stand
Ing close 70 him. watched him IS he
worked at nearly finished picture. Pres
entity he glanced round 10 her and said
quietly:
who is he. Berry,
'oh. Mr. Leroy. he's gentlenan-a real
gentlemani You'd know that II you only
saw him."
Has he any profession? Does he co
any work. Inquired Leroy. gently.
NO. Mr.. Leroy" replied Berinthia.
He's got property: and he dresses beau
tiful. And mothers mad with me Cor
wanting 10 have him. She says he's no
good: but I'm going to marry him for all
thatF'
| Soon
Il don't know AS soon as ne likes
| The sooner the better"
Il wish" said Leroy. thoughtfuliy,
/ you'd bring him along and introduce
/ him. IL should like TO see your choice.
You know, Berry, I've always been inter-
ested In you and"
~ know that. Mr. Leroy" cried Berlin
thia, placing her hand softly on his shoui-
/ der. but / can't bring him. / daren't
/ bring him! Mr.. Somerset would chaff ne
before him; and he's dresdfully prou T.
| Besides. I'm sure he wouldn't comet He
| don't like artists"
Somerset, overhearing the remark. burst
| into peal OF laughter.
HE don't like artistsP he repeated
/ scornfully. What swell he must be-
mo mistake" cried Berinthia, with a
| toss of the head.
Several weeks pissed and Berinthia dill
not reappear. The three often thought Of
| 49, - hor - 30
| sunny presence and elf-like ways. AT last
one day Leroy received the following let
ter. written in a round uneducated hand
and bearing the Manchester postmark:
Dear Mr. Leroy: This Genes hoping you are we'll
apd to tell you that married last Monday
skd have gone with my husband into the country
! Hes Just what told you. a gentleman every
! inch OF him, and I'm that proud and happy I could
! cry for joy. Give M love to Mr. Somerset and
Mr.. Beiford. not forgetting yourself. and believe
| me. your grateful and a6eetionsts
! BERINTHIA ToMRrSs.
| P. Shes a real gentleman, and his manners
are IoyeIyl
Leroy read the letter aloud-not without
a certain ~"'ation.
"TomS shouted Somerset. 30.
Phoebus t 4 namel Berinthia Tom
kiEs?' ...
Poor Berry, said Leroy with -.
Il only hops that her marriage w u
| out all righgr
III. #...
More than 2 year had passed s.way, tte
| Christmas season was come ags5n and
the three had neither seen MOI. heard of
her who had been the very life and soul
OF the studio. Not a sinDle line hnd come
to tell them Of her doings, and whether
she was happy or unhappy, prosperous
or the reverse.
In the meantime, all the three had
| thriven more or less. Somerset hal in
herited a little money from a wealthy
| relation, Leroy had written a successful
historical play for an eminent tragedian
and had received for the same the prince
ly sum of five hundred pounds. while Bel
ford. taken up by an enthusiastic clique
OF art critics, was gradually being recog-
nized as a mastery painter. Nothing
was changed. however. in their habits
OF life, which were still thoroughly and
fearlessly Bohemian.
Winter had come, with its bleak winds
and snowdrifts, ushering in the time of
peace on earth and goodwill to men. Late
on christmas eve the three sat before the
fire, which was blazing brightly. They
had been to the theater to see the pro-
! duction of Leroy's play, which had been
received with acclamation, and they were
| celebrating the occasion. A Kettle boiled
| upon the fire, glasses stood ready, and
somerset had just drawn a bottle OF
| Scotch whisky
Suddenly they heard soft knock at
the studio door, which opened on the
| snowy by-street adjoining the news
| Come in" they cried, but no one enter
ed. Then the sound was repeated, and
some one seemed to be trying to turn the
handle of the door.
.,r,Who Who the devil is it?" cried Belford.
| The cat / suppose?"
| Silence followed. and thew were lust fill
ing their glasses and preparing to drink
| "A Merry Christmas" and success to tbe
! play when Leroy started and held up a
| finger. ~ =
There's some one there after aIlp' he
said. 'Ill go and see,"
| He walked somewhat unsteadily across
the room, and opened the door. The
WIND swept in with great flakes of snow.
| hut all around was darkness Then sud-
denly as he peered out into the night he
saw something black lying on the ground,
| Just beyond the threshold. He sfoCped
down 10 inspect 1t more closely, and saw
| of a woman.
Good Lord" he exclaimed. Here. YOU
fellows. bring light and lend hand. .
beltord took up the lamp from the ta-
| N--%| oOhlNASCN ldH 10 1Uiu LEROY.
ana to assist him TO raise the woman.
| VINO appeared to have tainted. They lift.
ed her up and carried her into the studio
a limp lump of rags soaked to the skin
with melted snow. and covered with a
thin shawl. beneath which her hands
! clutched something in desperation. Bel
| ford held up the lamD, and flashed the
hight upon her face. Then all three utter
ed an exclamation, for they recognized
Berinthia. but how changed, Worn and
thln and pale as If she had just risen
| from a sick bed; her dress poor and rag
sed' her eyes closed, her mouth bleeding
ana open and in her arms clutehed fight
TO her bosom, a little sleeping baby. tha
| dark and elfin miniature of herself.
she had tainted outright. and it was
some little time before they could bring
her TO; but they placed her i'm an arm
chair before the fire. they chafed her cold
thin nands. and they forced spirits and
water down ner throat. till at last con-
sclolsneSs returned. When she came 10
herseif and recognized where she was,
She began TO sob hysterically. clutching
| Leroy by the arm and hiding her face
against bis coat sleeve, while with her
other hand she held her child
Yes, the child was hers. but her gen
tieman, her Prince Charming, where
I vas he? Before the night was out. and
When they had soothed away her excite
ment and made her comfortable by the
nre, she told them the whole sad story.
sic tioO rbiit INTO it1t country with her
husband and for a long time they had
been happy together. though she was ali
ways puzzled 10 find out where he got
his money. He sp~nt the days al home
/ In her company. ard seldom went out ex-
cept at night When she questioned him
as 10 his aoings. he aiwavG answered ner
angrily. and bade her mind her own busi-
ness As the months passed on, HIS man
ner TO her grew more and more indiffer-
ent. and at last in a fit of passion. he
| struck her. From that time forward their
life WAS a miserable one. and All she had
10 look Tor at the mans hands was
coarse words and bows.
She could have borne all that, she said
for the sake of the little one that We 8
coming: but worse was 10 follow. Ona
| night her husband informed her. coolly
| end deliberately that he was going 10
| leave her. and had no intention 81 rc
| turning 10 her again: that he was. IN fact
about 70 leave ENGLAND, and try his for
| tune I'm America. He tod her al fhe sarne
time that the police were after him anA