Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-08-28

- N1nette was glarfng from her dark
eyes, and Julia involuntarily shudder-
ed as she lifted her rich silken gown
and swept down the stairs.
20, If l knew how to speak French
| would let the little French demon
know she must not stare at me so in
solently. Poor Ninette! / hope her
love for Cecil will not interfere with
his work, but / am the last person
in the world who ought to blame her
for loving him."
Careless and free as are only the
pleasure-loving American artists who
alternate the study of art with that of
La Vie" in the Eden of both, Cecil
Thorne and his compani ms made the
cafes in the Latin quarter of Paris ring
with their merriment until late hour,
when Cecil returned to his lodging in
toxicated with the thought of the NOR
row. He spent half hour or so In his
studio, and after making a few final
arrangements started for his attic bed
room. AS he passed the door of Nj
nette's aprtments he wondered If she
slept. Then, at a sudden recollection
of his hopes and all they meant 10 him,
he broke into merry whistle and
mounted light-heartedly to his own
door. His burst of merriment was the
last straw.
Tomorrow" she thought. 81 will
not forget that l have helped yotf to
put warmth and soul into her eyes!
You think you shall find fame .to-mor-
row, and that the fair-haired, cold
hearted girl will help you to rejoice;
but you do not know Ninette!''
Springing from her couch, she felt
for matches. but could find none. mo
matter" she said. Il know the easel
well. Have 1 not watched him bend
ing over it as though he loved the
canvas itself? Diea! you should have
exhibited Ninette." Noiselessly, vim
dictively, she groped her way along
the dark passage into the studio Not
even moonbeam to assist her feet
over the cold stone floor. 'Ha-the
easel!-she gave little cry of pain
as her tender foot came in contact
with the sharp edge. Then, seizing a
wet brush. with delicious joy she drew
1t again and again across the picture,
smearing beyond recognition every
corner of the canvas. 'There!' she
said as she threw down the brush and
started to leave the studio. There!
Mile. Yellow Hair-I hate golden hair
at least, should hate it if Cecil had
not golden hair"
The thought of Cecirs fair hair,
which she had SO often covered with
ardent kisses, recalled her to a mo-
ment of sudden reproach. What had
she done? She, who pretended to love
Cecil, had destroyed the result of
whole haIf-year's toll and his hope of
fortune, and perhaps-yes, that selfish
perhaps" swept over her with over
whelming force, and the little criminal
crept back to her chamber, threw her.
self upon her couch, and there remain
ed till her restless slumber was dis
turbed by the sound Of CeciPs foot
step entering the studio.
She awoke with a start He was
walking towards the easel. She dared
not go to him; she would wait till the
first outburst of his passion had pass
ed. For a long time there was abso-
lutte silence in the studio. At last, un-
I able to bear the suspense, she timidly
opened the studio door and looked in.
All trace Of the defiant insolence which
made her SO bewitching had vanished,
and she paused submissively, awaiting
the volley of reproof which she so
richly deserved. Instead Of this, Cecil
smiled at beholding her and advanced
to meet her, and she felt half afraid.
"Ah, there you are, ma chere. Come
and see what some villainous hand has
! done" ..''' :.a E.. /
| mo, no." answered Ninette, still
: questioning his sanity. Il cannot look
upon it. o, Cecil, you have driven me
mad with jealousyr'
Jealousy, ma chere? What on earth
are you talking about? Do you not
believe that love you fondly-devot-
eddy" ---... ...... ...
stop! You call her dear Cecil,
answer me this-do you love the fair
Julia who sits for The DAWN"
/ Love her-of course l do-but not
as I love you" -
There, you confess! will not share
your love with her. I was sorry l did
it, but now I am glad-glad! You
would be famous with her portrait
and she would be glad with you. Is
"Why, Ninette, how strangely you
talk! Would she not be an unnatural
woman not to be glad of her brothers
success ?" '-
Brother almost shrieked Ninette.
Brother? She is your sister, Cecil?'
\ "My dear child, do you mean to tell
me you have not known that?' .e-.
"Why have you never told me that
before?'
"Why, Ninette, / never dreamed that
you did not know it. Every one else
knows it, and you have never spoken
of this before"
''No, l could not bear to speak of
her, and I heard nothing of your talk
IL do not understand your English
talk. And now-O. Cecil! Cecil! the
7 pfcturAthe villainous hand
20, yes! to be sure; 1 nearly forgot
the picture with your wild talk. l say.
4 Ninette, what good thing The
4 Dawn had been removed from the