Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER VIII.
Mazette.

Overton settled down into a rut,
waiting and working by fits and starts
upon his picture. During these weeks
he lived from hand to mouth, selling
an occasional pot boiler" for a pit.
lance that jus. managed to keep the
wolf from the door.
Days glided into weeks. He worked
spasmodically, wandered about Lon.
don, dreamed Of mighty things that he
could do IL invested with the touch of
Midas. and sometimes spent an even.
ing with Mazette and her aunt.
These social events always had
salutary effect upon 0yerton. and many
times he breathed blessings upon the
little miniature painter for her sister
ly affection. as he was pleased to con-
slider II, which soothed him in such
wonderful manner.
His painting was complete.
AS re stood in front of It he knew It
was masterpiece that must without a
doubt bring him both fortune and
glory.
Oh! II she would but only wait I'M
til the day when all London echoed
with his name. and 1t would be an
honor to know him.
But the hero Of many an African and
Indian border foray was impatient in
his wooing. since he had reached an
age when a man must needs make
haste II he expects to shake of the
thralldom of bachelorhood and takD
upon himself the VOWS and duties of a
benedict. since the older he grows the
new obligations.
When Overton read in the Times that
the wedding was to occur on the next
Thursday evening at fashionable
church he seemed turned into stone
for time. He became moody. almost
sullen. He avoided those friends who
had been of late such a comfort to him.
Mazette CHANGED to meet him on the
street-perhaps the use OF that word
can hardly be allowed. since she pur.
posely went out of her way to pass
near his lodgings in the hope of seeing
him, for the article concerning Fee
dora's coming marriage had caught
her eye. too. and she began to fear for
Jack again.
When she saw him so moody and ap-
parently at cross purposes with the
whole world, she felt very bitter tc-
ward Ftdora, and had II been In her
power Just then to remedy Tstters,
even at the expense Of pain to herself.
AlLette would have only too gladly
fA. To- tod a.
and happy was far better than Jack
miserable. respondent and devoid OF
ambition.
The fatal evening came.
Jack had grimly made up his mind
he would by hook or crook witness the
ceremony that was to darken his life
and take from him the girl he had SO
long looked upon as his inspiration.
Knowing that fashionable audi
ence would fill the church, and that
admission without a card would be
difficult, he made friends with the or
ganist and managed to get an invita-.
tion to occupy a seat In the loft.
Mazette insisted on accompanying
him-at first he had been appalled, by
the thought of another witnessing his
mute suffering. but she was so per.
sistent, and her sweet presence al
ways served to arouse his better ma
ture. SO finally he gave reluctant con-
sent.
When the organ pealed out the we'd
ding march from "Lohengrin," Over
ton shut his teeth hard and waited the
coming OF the white procession that
started down the aisle, flower girls
strewing the way with rare blossoms.
Fedora looked like a dream-her ap-
pearance would haunt him to his dying
day.
And Livermore was very handsome
In his dress suit--he appeared very