Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-05-29

never can get over it. l blushed now,
and murmured that any request Mr.
Vernon might make was sure l
would be but too glad to comply with.
Then he rose to go, but before doing
so he placed one-pound note in my
hand.
Invariably in advance, Miss Lor-
ing" he said. almost apologetically.
at is rule from which / never deyi.
ate" 8; 8;
The next day he came. He brought
with him nothing but the picture on
which he was at work, his paints and
easels, and one or two wooden models.
OF course never intruded upon him
at his work, but he grew into the hab-
it, as he passed the open door Of the
sitting room, to drop in and talk with
me.
One afternoon, when he had fingered
over his painting longer than his wont,
and seemed more tired, asked himEto
stay and take cup of tea with me. e
| could not but see how gladly he
consented Of course did my guest all
honor. With my own hands drew the
old heirlooms from their covers and
placed them on the table. With par
donable pride I ushered him into the
room.
Are you not afraid to live alone,
Miss Loring," he asked, with so much
valuable silver?' 3.
"Oh, no." answered; 81 keep it IN
a safe built in the wall, and sleep with
the key under my pillow. No one
would think of looking for it there
And then 1 went on to explain to
him my horror of banks, and now
much of my worldly goods l preferred
to have under my personal superyi-
sion.
"It is not safe,' he insisted. II wish
l had the right to refuse to allow you
to run such risk" 80 8.
With what tenderness he uttered the
last sentence! To what was it the
prelude? 1t must not come upon me
too suddenly. could not bear the
fullness of it's ecstacy. but no longer
doubted what for long had suspected
-Algernon's heart was mine. 5sg "
AS he bade me good night he held
and pressed my hand. fear my head
in spite of the injury to my cap, fell
one brief instant on his manly
shoulder. I heard something like q
sigh; then he tore himself away. i
Tas again alone.
The next day l did.not see him on
p way to the studio. Two men were
V him, so he could not stop. They
v rather rough-looking men-evi.
de models. Shortly after one Of
then ,assed down the stairs and went
out. Then Algernon came. ;;
where is your visitor?"I asked.
"They have both gone,". he said.
/ thought it strange / had not seen
the other man pass, but soon Algerz
mons presence made me rgets aA
else; only he seemed distrait and III fsat
ease. - s
Perhaps l had been too cold. too dis
tant, and so had wounded his noble
heart. silently swore to throw of
the mask of maiden modesty, and
show him more of the true heart which
beat but for him. Before, however, !
had gotten my courage to the point,
he had gone.
sat alone for two. perhaps three
hours, until the twilight fell. Then a
sudden desire assailed me to go up and
look at the progress Of his work. l
had not seen the picture since the day
it came. and he had been with me a
fortnight.
Softly | opened the door. The pic
ture was on its easel, covered with a
cloth. The cloth 1 gently raised, but
I could discover on the canvas no
change. Doubtless, lost in thought Of
me, Algernon had striven in vain to
pursue his art.
| sank into a chair and gave myself
up to sweet reverie, when suddenly ]
started. A loud and violent sneeze
sounded close beside me. l sprang to
my feet and looked about the room. 1t
was empty, save for the two wooden
models and myself.
One of these models Algernon had
evidently been copying, since he had
dressed it in the brigand hat and coat
he kept for that purpose, and which
he once had shown me.
A great terror assailed me;
searched every corner of the room. In
vain-I could discover nothing.
At last went out, but taking the
key from the door locked it behind
me. On my way down stairs / caught
a glimpse of Jenny's (my maid of all
work. young man, escaping through
the back door.
l did not approve of followers, but
Jenny was so good and faithful that
sometimes had to shut my eyes to the
somewhat frequent visits Of the young
butcher, who evidently intended her to
share his lot Somehow my recent
fright made the presence of man,
even the butcher, thing to be de-
sired.
Tom" l called. He came back,
bowling awkwardly. 81 don't mind if
you stay to tea." said. 81 had little
fright just now. and I'm nervous. I'd
feel better to know you were in the
kitchen, within call"
Thank We, miss! but can't stay to-
night, and ye needn'. be nervous, for
I'm just after seeing MI Vernon look
ing out of the studio window"
"Mr. Vernon has been gone two
hours" said.
We'll, certainly it was some one else
in the studio, for l certainly saw a
mans head by the window when |
came in, a half hour ago."
His assertion made me doubly ner-
vous.
"It is very strange" said; and then
| told him what had happened.
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