Middletown transcript., 1901-04-20


e SO he placed one-pound note in my
y hand.
# Invariably in advance, Miss Loring,
: he said, almost apologetically. sit is 6
: rule from which l never deviare."
t The next day he came. He brought
: with him nothing but the picture on
which he was at work, his paints and
3 easels, and one or two wooden models.
Of course l never intruded upon him
at his work, but he grew into the habit,
7 as he passed the open door of the sitting
2 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 him to
stay and take cup of tea with me.
could not but see how gladly he con-
sented. Of course 1 did my guest all
honor With my own hands l drew the
old heirlooms from their covers and
placed them on the table. With pardon
able pride ushered him into the room.
care you not afraid to live alone, Miss
Loring," he asked, with SO much valu-
able silver?'
ooh, mol" I answered; II keep it in
safe built in the wall, and sleep with the
key under my pillow. No one would
think of looking for it there"
And then went on to explain to him
my horror of banks, and how much of
my worldly goods 1 preferred to have
under my personal supervision.
''It is safe," he insisted. 81 wish 1
had the right to refuse to allow you to
run such risk"
With what tenderness he uttered the
last sentence! To what was it the pre-
lude? It must not come upon me too
suddenly. could not bear the fullness
Of its ecstacy, but 1 no longer doubted |
what for long l had suspected -AIger-
mons heart was mine.
As he bade me good night he held and |
pressed my hand. I fear my head, in
spite of the injury to my cap, fell one
brief instant on his manly shoulder. 1
heard something like sign; then he tore
himself away. was again alone.
The next day did not see him on his
way to the studio. Two men were with
him so he could not stop. They were
rather rough-looking men-evidently
models. Shortly after one of them passed
down the stairs and went out. Then
Algernon came.
Where is your visitor?" I asked.
''They have gone," he said
| thought it strange had not seen the
other man pass, but soon Algernon's
presence made me forget all else; only he
seemed distrait and ill at ease.
Perhaps had been too cold, too dis
tant, and SO had wounded his noble
heart. silently swore to throw off the
mask of maiden modesty, and show him
more of the true heart which beats but
for him. Before, however, I had gotten
my courage to the point, he had gone.
| sat alone for two, perhaps three
hours, until twilight fell. Then a sudden
desire assailed me to go up and look at
the progress of his work. 1 had not seen
the picture since the day it came, and be
had been with me fortnight.
Softly I opened the door. The picture
was on its easel, covered with a cloth,
The cloth gently raised, but could {
discover on the canvas no change. t
Doubtless, lost in thought of me, Alger-
non had striven in vain to pursue his art. 1
sank into a chair and gave myself =
Up to sweet reverie, when suddenly II
started. A load and VIOLENT sneeze
sounded close beside me. 1 sprang 70 e
ny feet and looked about the room. It il
vas empty, save for the two wooden h
models and myself.
One of these models Algernon had
been copying, since he had u
Iressed it in the brigand hat and coat Il
le kept for that purpose, and which he
nee had shown me. :
A great terror assailed me; 1 searched n
very corner of the room. In yainIIN Y
ould discover nothing. a
At last l went out, but taking the kew IL
rom the door l locked it behind me. p
IN my way down stairs caught glimpse ii
Jenny's (my maid of all work. young 8
IAN, escaping through the back door. i.
did not approve of followers, but r
emmy was so good and faithful that I st
ometimes had to shut my eyes to the
frequent visits of the Young in
utcher, who evidently intended her to a,
lare his lot. Somehow my recent IN
lght made the presence of a man. even
he butcher, thing to be desired. al
"TomP 1 called. He came back. pl
'wlng awkwardly. 81 don't mind if ca
ou stay to tea," said. 81 had a little M
lght just now, and Pm nervous. I'd If
Ell better to know you were in the or
tchen, within CALL" OIL
Thank ye, miss! bnt I can't stay to- VI
ght, and ye needn't be nervous. for to
m Just after seeing Mr.. Vernon look
g out OF the studio window"
MIR. Vernon has been gone two
ours,' said.
"Well, certainly it was some one else Hi
the studio, for I certainly saw mans at
'ad by the window when 1 came in. a 90
IF hour ago.
his assertion made me doubly ner- -. -.
us. hi
1T is very strange" said; and then no
told him what had happened. aft
Let me go up and look, Miss Lorine, Tel
suggested
Consenting, led- the way, but stood SUo
OK that he might enter alone-Jennv Cal
eanwhile bringing up therear. he
1t was now quite dark. Tom struck ine
lght. The room was silent and empty. ro1
Had some ghost been playing us tricks2 ~
if Tom had had only my story OAAe
would have been at once satisfied that wa
Imagination only was at fault. AS it His