Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-27
Copyright, 1902, by T. c. McC1ure.)
CHAPTER L

AVA=' ny 4. y. MCOluTe.)
CHAPTER I.
you have not been very diligept this
morning: you have not touched that beau
tiful oak there to the left, and you began
1t yesterday" she said.
Yes" he replied, touching the picture
with a fine brush. his head 10 one side.
| with a critical air, but the light went very
soon when you left me-"
rs that meant for a pretty speech?" she
asked, with a frank, playful smile, showing
a row Of pearly teeth.
mo. / never make any. The light that
failed me was daylight-not the light Of
your eyes. l never insult you with fine
speeches."
The speaker was a man OF perhaps 3d.;
not tall, but above middle height, broad
shouldered and strongly built, with a plain.
resolute face and light, gray, penetrating
eyes. The scene OF their conversation was
a glade in Thoresby woods, opening upon
the slope OF a hill, from which the speak
ers could see a stretch Of moorland and G
wide expanse OF in%distinct, misty blue
country beyond. The trees we're already
showing the rich tints OF autumn.
Il wonder how you manage to make your
pictures tell something?' said the girl.
They are merely trees and grass and flow
ers; they are sad, or bright, or solemn
just as real bits OF landscape make one
feel"
Come. Miss Norton, that is a fine
speech, indeed. l did not know you we're
80 good a critic"
She laughed gaily. Zone sweet speech
deserves another" she was beginning,
when a fine, red-browr Irish setter ran out
from among the trees and jumped up at
the speaker. She stopped to stroke the
dog-the color rising in her cheeks, and an
tndescribable Joyous look radiatipg from
her lips. The artist gazed at her as she
caressed the animal lovingly. an express
sion OF. pain contracting his brow.
There, there! Down, Bran" she cried,
trying to repress the dogs too ardent dem
onstration Of affection.
DE Burgh's dog. isn't it?" asked the
painter. II suppose his master is not far
on"
1T Is impossible to say. Isn't he a lovely
creature?'
"who7 De Burgh7'
you know l mean the dog she re-
turned, laughing. do you ever paint ami
mails, Mr.. Ashton"
Yes. two-legged ones. sometimes"
"What a cynical speechl But have
fingered too long talking to you-dinner
will be ready before / reach home, and
Grannie hates to be kept waiting"
"And I wonder how soon you will
reach homer"
''In about twenty minutes. am not
going to run myself out Of breath on such
a glowing morning
She drew up her head with a displeased
air, put on her hat and turned away, walk
ing for q few PAGES along the leafy ave-
nue., till she reached a narrow path leading
into the recesses Of the wood on the left.
She had not proceeded far when from
among the trees a young mar in shooting
garb. with a gun on his shoulder. sprang
forward to where she stood. A tall, slight,
distinguished figure, we'll set up, with a
soldierly air. His hair and mustache were
dark. his eyes deep blue. and at the mo-
ment angry-looking. He was undeniably
handsome. apd looked an aristocrat from
head to heel
"At last. Grace-at last!" he exclaimed,
leaning his gun against the stem Of an old
thorn tree. and then catching both her
hands in his own. "why. in heavens name,
did you stay on talking for such an age
with that grim chap Ashton? Did you not
feel l was waiting and watching between
the trees until you started?"
Grace listened with a tremulous smile
on her lips. her color coming and going
and finally leaving her cheeks pale.
mo. Captain de B~urgh-not. at least,
till Bran juSnped up at me-"
She strove to draw away her hands as
she spoke.
you might let me hold your hands for a
minute or two, Grace. l don't know when
I shall touch them again" and he stopped
TO kiss them. 81 have bad news-bad for
me. at least. l am recalled to London
must start this e~vening-so many of our
fellows are on ~leave-they want my valua-
BILE services"
"Going tonightG' she exclaimed, in a sur,
prised tone.
Even so. Shall you miss me? VIII you
ever admit that l am anything to your
You are 30 coy and cold. Grace, II lie death
TO leave you'll cannot live without you.
What spell have you cast upon mef"
"oh. do not say such wild things. You
must learn to do without me, and you
will when you are away-when you think
OF what Is due TO your station. your lam
lily. l am not a At wife for you. and men
have more to live for than love and private
life"
"Yo don't know what / teel-what l
suffer. You are never absent from my
mind, my heart. waking or sleeping. You
know. my darling. but for my cousin and
godmother. whom l must not offend, I
should make you my wife before the world"
"If I consented" she added.
"And would you refusal Could love you
90 intensely II l did not instinetively feel
there was some answering chord in your
hearth
He had a sweet. soft voice. and an i'm
FASHIONED flow OF words, which he we'll
knew struck deep into the heart OF his
hearer.
Grace Norton was the granddaughter Of