The suburban citizen., 1902-11-22


promising to write. There
was nothing absolutely orig
q inal in the occurrence; thou
Ianus had done identically the same
hing before in their time, and. in all
probability, thousands will emulate
heir example years hence. But the
promise made on liners deck. though
lacred at the time, was soon forgotten;
md five years elapsed without a line
Being exchanged between them. And
his was the mans fault
Charlie Montrose had bade Zara
doste adeu at Vera Cruz, when she
was but a girl of sixteen, or rather
woman, as girls of that age are ranked
put in Mexico; one natures early in
Central America.
A year passed then Art had gradual
Y blotted out the remembrance Of her
Madonna-like face. True, he had kept
ave of her letters unanswered, by the
way, which detailed TO him her trust
ing love and progress in sculptures;
Sut they had lain on the mantleplece
"a his study till dust had begrimed
hem and nearly obliteraled the family
written words. Then four years
hpsed, and cara was almost forgotten
BY the man on whom fortune had
tmiled. Therefore, it was somewhat
strange that Charlie Monuose dreamt
sadly of the past during an interval
1t ball given by Lady Belmont at
her house in Park lane.
"Why so glum, Mr.. Montrose?" she
aueried gayly, tapping him playfully
IN the shoulder with her fan. "You
have not done your duty by standing
put three dances l must find you a
Hartner2'
MAY have the pleasure, Lady Bel
montT'
with me? Oh, l should be delight.
ed, only alas, my program is filled, y
she replied, vivaciously. But l will
Introduce you to Miss Vivian. You
know the great sculptor?"
Surely not the Miss Vivian OF
Sleep renown?
1.-THE same"
"A light step behind him caused Mont
rose to turn round. A brunette was
coming toward him-a brunette whosC
beauty, SURPRISING even his ideals oi
feminine beauty so often depicted OF
his canvases, caused the master-artis
bo almost wonder as he gazed at thu
marvellous regularity Of her finely
chiseled features. He rose, stretched
but his hand mechanically to pull bacl
the heavy portiere for her to pass int
the ballroom, when she stopped sud
denly, and, glancing swiftly up at tn
handsome face of the limner, said i'm
pulsively:
"Mr. Montrose, the great artist,
believer He glanced straight into tn
eyes raised shyly to his, then replied
"That is my name. AS a great artis
believe 1 am a fraudp then adde'
modestly: II have been lucky, that 1
all"
"You are modest" she said gently
u hope you will excuse my presumT
uon in speaking to you without fol
NAL introduction, but 1 was very anz
ious to speak to you. l only saw 20
once before to-night-at the Academy
you were pointed out to me-"
81 am indeed honored by your rC
memberlng my features" he said, pc
litely. Then glancing steadily at he
face, said, thoughtfully: But surel
your face is familiar? 1t is-ah, yes!
he cried bitterly, II know whom 70
resemble You are much prettler, 70
so strangely-strangely like a girl
once kneww He sighed, as he let til
portiere fall from his grasp.
"IndeedT" The brown eyes opene
widely. Il am pleased resemble ths
iady-yoI-you were interested in.
Is quite romantic, TO be included,
even in so slight a degree. in a gref
mans lifew Montrose flushed duly.
Il am afraid l was speaking m
thoughts" he said, awkwardly.
apologize. l must have bored your
"On the contrary" she reptile,
brightly, 81 am interested. AS resen
BILE this lady, will you not tell n
more about her? Or would it be indi
Greet on my part to proffer such a r
questY
II am sorry to refuse he reptile
glancing at her ut is very dlfiicu
TO do so, but no man cares to recol
q shabby action Of his own"
"But, Mr.. MOntrOse," she murmure
'you have always been spoken Of
the papers as the soul of honor"
$50 much for the truth Of joTns
ismw he said bitterly.
But surely, Mr.. Montross'-h
voice uembled a little-"you ha
never broken you word Or" I
laughed harshly.
"That is identeally what I ha
densg he said II broke a pied