The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-18

tice OF the managing partner. Sir Lionel
Bellairs. Only the other day, after the
talk between his parents. BERTHE found him
self summoned to Sir LioneIs presence.
Was It the recollection Of Lettuce Bells
words only the day before. when she had
remarked to Mrs. Bellairs that Bertram
looked paler and thinner every day, or was
1t some natural. kindly impulse, which
made Lionel send for the young clerk?
mo. there's nothing wrong" he said
pleasantly, when he noticed that young
Payne was in o state of nervous terror. II
haven't sent for you to grumble; but.
Payne. I don't like your looks. You seem
to me weak and run down. Are you sure
that office life suits you? I've seen some
thing Of you apart from business. Try to
forget I am your employer. and tell me.
are you nl?"
Bertram declared he had never felt better
In his life.
You know" Sir Lionel went on. II have
been thinking your dream Of being an ar
fist is not impossible. after all. have been
talking to a friend who has made a name;
he tells me that a careful young fellow can
study in Rome. and need not spend more
than ninety pounds a year. Now, IL I lent
you three hundred pounds, that would pro-
vide for three years abroad, ana by that
time I expect you would have painted some
thing worth selling. or you would easily
secure a post in q school Of art. As to
repaying me. that can wait till you are
famous"
Il don't know how to thank you." said
Berthe. "Sir Lionel. though I can't accept
your kindness. / shall never FORGET II while
1 live.
why can't you accept itr.
BERTHE hesitated.
Come. speak QUIT Are you afraid of
exile. or the loneliness. or whatf"
Il am not afraid Of anything; only, Sir
Lionel. l have another ambition now. dear
er even than art. My strongest desire IL
to be married. and make a home for my
wife. II l studied in Rome II would be
seven years before I had repaid your loan.
and saved enough to furnish a little nest. II
1 stick to the desk I hope that in a few
months / may be able to start a home of
my own"
"On a hundred and twenty pounds a
year, said Lionel. TT is preposterous,'
Many begin on less. and when 1 have
saved enough for furniture, I shall not be
afraid. My father has never earned more
than two hundred since he entered the
House"
Your father IL . prodigy" said Lionel
sharply. "No one has ever understood how
he managed. Look here. Bertram, 1 think
you foolish to refuse my offer. 1 don't
believe this life suits you. but It's no use
arguing with a man in love. II you are
bent on destroying your prospects. at least
1 can make things a little easier for you:
your salary shall be raised TO a hundred
and fifty. dating from Michaelmas next"
Thank you. sir: 1t is very good Of you"
Mind. I think you are an artist spoilt."
A smile fitted over Bertram's face.
Love Is better than fame. sir" he an
swcred quietly a. he left the room.
Was It? Sir Lionel asked himself the
question again and again.
He professed not to believe In love. pro-
fessed not to trust In women, yet al he sat
there in his lonely ONCE. with Bertram's
words ringing in his ears, there rose ND
before him the vision Of a sweet, pensiye
face. framed in hair of glitterinx brown,
and lit by a pair OF DARK. violet eyes. Let
tice Bell had an angels face: surely IL there
were truth to be found in woman IL was in
her eyes.
And. though he knew perfectly she lived
at the Wilderness and saw Bertram daily,
though he had heard her speak of the young
fellow with real interest and regard. vet II
never entered into Sir Lioners head that
his mothers favorite could be the CIR, for
whose sake Bertram Payne renowned all
dreams Of art. ra
Berthe found the wilderness almost de-
serted when he got home.
1T Is such a lovely evening"" said he to
Lettice: will you come for a row with
me?" Twenty minutes later the two
were in a boat skimmins lightly over the
waves alone together. with no one to listen
to their talk.
For q while both were silent: then. as
they came I'm sight Of Canvey Island. with
Its strange. Dutch-looking houses and old
world air. Bertram said tenderIy:
40 you know why I have brought YOU
here. Miss Bell-Lettce-can't you guessY''
She said nothing. There was no love-
light In her eyes, no blush on her cheek;
but Bertram put her silence down to shy
ness. and went on:
Dearest. I love you more than anyone
in the world. 1 would not have told you
so until I had some prospect Of a home to
offer you; but Sir Lionel has raiesd my
salary to-day. Lettice. IL only you will
No, VIC Noh z hhhiiit0 SUM. lou are
such a lonely little girl. and I will take
such care Of you. darlingr'
You have known me such a little WHILE
she said gravely. "anc you can't be sure"
Il am quite sure. dear. There Is no one
else In the whole world 1 want but YOU
And your parents? Don't you think II
would be betrayins their trust for me
to"
He stopped her.
Il believe. Lettice. they will welcome you
gladly as their daughter. But, dear. IL IL
Is otherwise It will not change my wishes.
and Sir Lorels kindness makes 1t possible
for us to be married very soon. so that you
need not stay at the Wilderness, IL you
find you are no longer happy here"
"Lettice. only give me your promise. and
I shall be a happy mani"
Perhaps II is best, then was her reply.
The next morning Lettuce was formally
congratulated by the whole OF the family.
and received very kindly as a future rela-
ton.
She wrote to Mrs. Linden, who replied
wishing her JOY. but resretting her hus-
bands resentment prevented her inviting
Lettuce to bring her lover 10 Bennerton.
The girl would have liked to go and see
Mrs. Beilairs. but the displeasure caused by
her last visit prevented this. Only one
thing was clear to her-that IN two months