The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-31

an enthusiasm that made Eugene
vince. But one day, when he was, as
usual, attempting to transfer her to
canvas, a particularly atrocious tree
which he introduced in the background
attracted her attention.
Jacques" said she, don't you
think that you are-that you are
well. that you're losing a little Of your
skill I"
WHAT shouted Eugene.
II mean-that is--Im afraid that
keep you from your work so muoh
that"
II only hope that you may keep me
from 1t forever" returned the amor
Gus Eugene. And so the dangerous
| moment passed.
But this state of affairs could not
last forever. One fine day, as Eugene
was seated upon a divan thinking Of
his lady love, who had just departed,
who should enter but Jacques Bru-
HERE. Yes, there he was, with his at
tendant carrying his umbrella. his
sketch books. his camp stools. his bag
| gage, true artist just from the coun-
try. The false one trembled as he
| thought that his dream was over. Had
he been Borgia he would have slain
his friend. AS he was not, he pressed
| his hand warmly and bade him well
come.
But how could he extricate himself
| from his dilemma? How could he an
| swer to a high-spirited woman for the
| DECEPTION he had practiced upon her?
AS to persuading Jacques to consent
to any arrangement for keeping up
! the deception, that was out of the
question: where his heart was con-
cerned the painter would prove as deaf
| as a post and as unmanageable as a
| bally horse. So Eugene was puzzled.
| Finally bright idea occurred to him.
| "Why not" thought he, "give a comic
turn to the affair? If properly done
Leonie will be disarmed. She is easily
moved to laughter, and then I will ex>
/ plain and beg her forgiveness"
Alas! Poor Eugene's idea was not a
happy one.
The next day when Leonie appeared
it was jacques who met her at the
door. He was in blouse cap, and car
ried palette and brushes.
Can I see NJ. Bruhiere?" she asked,
with some little surprise.
THAT is my name, madam" replied
the painter.
| You Jacques Bruhiere!" said she,
with an amused laugh. and she pushed
by him and entered the studio. "Yon
the great painter! No. no." and she
seated herself and looked at him de-
family.
But If she was at her ease in the stu
dio, he was more so. Her quick wo-
mans eye noted this. and on the easel
there was already begun a canvas in
which she recognized the masters
touch. Leonie was becoming i'll al
ease. She picked up a little Hindoo god
which stood on the table beside her and
fingered it nervously. Her hands trem.
bled. the little monster slipped from
them, and dashed in pieces on the floor
| The artist stepped to the wall and
rang the bell. The door opened, and a
servant entered. clad in livery and
wearing an apron-rendered necessary
by the fact of his cleaning brushes.
Did monsieur ring?" he asked.
| Leonie stared at him and grew white
yes. JEAN" replied the artist. Cath
er up the fragments of this trifle, which
madame has unfortunately broken
| Now" said he. turning to Leonie, "it
madame will kindly inform me to what
| owe the nOnOf or tnlS Wis
He stopped. Her white. set face, her
starting eyes. frightened him.
"A lackey!" she hissed, "a base lack
ey! And l have loved this heartless
| cruel, lying wretch!"
With a sudden impulse of fury she
snatched up a pretty toy, a silver pom
lard, which lay upon the table, and
sprung at Eugene. Quick as a flash the
artist dashed between them. But quick
as he was, he was too late. The poniard
struck Eugene in the side. inhicting a
deep wound. AS he did so, Leonie ut
tered a Shrek and tainted away.
Eugene's comedy had become a trag-
! edy.
Truly pretty sight for the studio OF
| an honest, hardworking painter, "
groaned Jacques Bruhiere. as he gazed
upon the two PROSTATE forms. "Thls
comes Of obliging your friends. Catch
me doing it again.
| Three years passed. Leonie was in
| the brilliant salon of the Comtesse de
Sagone, whose house was always filled
with the literary men of the day, and
she invariably secured the literary lion.
She was making her way through the
brilliant throng toward Leonie.
! MY dear" said she, when she