The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-08-08

n 10 look 10 me, IN a way, Tor
help. ! thought Of my painting. and
how enthusiastic you boys were over
my sketches. was sure | could sue
cced, and s. | came To Chicago. Well,
I've done something. I've hung one
picture and I'm making expenses"
"Still its q long road, Louise, and
all up the hill
II know IL. Bruce"
II remember the little girls quite
well. | fear they will have a long
wait"
Il fully realize that would be true
should l depend wholly on art. But
l have discovered l have other re-
sources. Perhaps, Bruce. there was
something in me, after all. to war
rant your devotion TO me in camp
you engineers. ! mean. ! am en-
gagged 10 a Mr.. Haverknap. a wealthy
patron Of the institute, living in Hyde
Park. He has persuaded me to for
sake my ~undoubted career in the
field of art-undoubted in his mind
and become the light of his life. the
gentle guardian Of his happiness,
and the stewardess of his thousands.
OF course il was a great sacrifice,
but l consented To make it. He is
so and generous. Beth and Clara are
already making preparations TO be
in Chicago this winter. 1t will take
q great load off papa's shoulders"
realized / had spoken rapidly. II
was a case where l must rush the
thing through lest ! should stumble
i'm the recital. Bruce lighted his
third cigarette. He did o speak for
some moments.
II suppose he said, at length,
.'you will make more money in this
way. and-it seems respectable"
That was exactly what ! was think
ing, but | burst out in defense:
"You have certainly forgotten the
barrenness. the lonliness of those
sage brush ranches. You've forgot
ten how the dust Sits into the cor
ners and creyices of the houses, max
ing every one irritable and miserable.
You've forgotten the distance from
civilization. the discomforts, the pow
erty. You have forgotten"
II have forgotten everything
Bruce interrupted, looking through
the tobacco smoke with half closed
eyes. Il have forgotten everything
but the glorious sun setting behind
those low western hills, lighting up
the plains with a warm, yellow splen'
dor. l can see a girls figure as she
stands rapt in the strange mysteries
of nature. She is pulsing with life,
truth. beauty. She has no designs
She is not calculating. She could not
deceive. She is true as the nature
of which she is a part. But there.
We are in Chicago This marriage
takes place-when did lou say?"
REALIZED / had turned deathly pale
My heart beat wildly. Words came
to my lips. but ! could not make a
sound. Bruce had painted a picture
which brought back such a food OF
memories as to overpower me. lie
did not mean to be cruel, but
At last heard myself speaking as
from a distance.
The third of September" 1t was
now the last of June.
Bruce took my last match and left
without a word.
Our rooms were opposite. and grad
ually we drifted into the old habit
Of spending much Of our time to
gether. We breakfasted at a little
cafe. lunched in my room on buns ant
tea. dined at the same cafe-it was
popular with the students. and cheaI
and between times worked as WE
had done during our first acquain
lance. IL seemed but a day since
we had parted.
1t was the second day of Saptem'
Der. My leave taking preparations
were under way. l was taking down
a group of water colors, sketches OF
the lake in different moods. that
Bruce and I had done together, wher
he put in his appearance
Can | help you?" he asked, will
unusual tenderness
There is little to do" l answered
in a voice strained and unnatural.
He went to work. and when we hat
everything packed he took up m,
sailor hat.
Come" he said. "our last day to
gether."
But / mustn't haven't time"
protested weakly.
sour last day. Louise" he repeated
hesitated n moment, hen SILENT.
pinned on nv hat and we set u
"Where shall il be?" Bruce asked
!. as we paused al the foot of the steps
Lincoln park. the north shore. or
row on the lake with a lunch in tn
. woods"
.The lake" said. knew w
were playing with fire. but said +
: nv conscience. ".Just this once. thi
. one last day, and then
!, / dared not picture the future
For Bruce and | had loved each othe
! since the day we had first met in
little western settlement 50 ION
aro. lie had had trouble with hi
! father that led TO bitter words an
his Punishment from home. lie wa
too proud to seek forgiveness
though I. who loved him so dearly
knew he was at fault. Even in m
first girlish infatuation realize
that he would always he a failure
unless he were a gigantic success.
saw in him a spark Of that unfortt
!. nate genius which Is akin to mat
ness. He was either in the height
or in the depths. and he had n
strain Of the practical i'm his MAKE
y, Ills father had recently died an