The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-27
"You have f1attered me, Mr.. Holt" sal,


will say it is too good but I am going to
risk that. Will you sell it to me?''
Her reply was so unexpected 1t almost
staggered him. Part with it? How could
he? Now that he it side by side with
the original he marveled how he caught
the smile in the eyes, the exquisite curves
in the mouth and chin.
Sell it, Miss Tremaine? II should not
like to part with it. Please don't ask me
to do that" he stammered.
Then, gathering courage, he raised his
eyes to her face. 1t was colby statuesque
and Unconditional, he thought All the blood
in his body seemed to rush to his head, for
it seemed to him he had offended her be-
You'd redemption.
He waited in trepidation for Eleanor's
answer.
Perhaps you are right" said she, COM
posedly. "Of course, one is never judge
OF ones own portrait, but now I look at it
again the resemblance does not seem very
marked. Far too f1attering; still, under the
circumstances and considering I did not
give you a sitting, it is extremely good"
"Ah, if you would only sit to me- MUIR
INJURED Frank, II think I could do some
thing much better"
ooh, no doubt. no doubt she replied,
with something like Impotence. But that
is not to be thought of. I contemplate
leaving England shortly, and there would
not be time
The young mans heart fell. His sus-
picions We're confirmed. Not only. would
she not live at Tremaine court, but he
would not even see her. Well, what Of
that? What was she to hin-a poor, strug
Cling artist?
He bowed and slightly elevated his
shoulders as much to say it was no
use trying to persuade her. Had he not
bent his head so low he might have seen
k;rxl,&
flashed. His Indifference, clearly, was not
pleasant to her.
"Any of these paintings and sketches of
river life are, suppose, for sale?" said
she presently.
He frightened up. (Which one do you
like best?" said he.
After some elaboration she picked out
a spirited sketch of the Pool with a Nor
wegan sailing vessel in the foreground
being towed out by a fussy little tug.
This one, please May fix my price?'
What said he, "be buyer and seller
too? No, indeed Really and truly, Miss
Tremaine 1 do not want to sell you any
thing. Please don't be offended. De me
the kindness to accept this picture if it
pleases YOU
THAT is absurd. You cannot afford to
do anything so foolish. You refused to
sell me my portrait just now, and I re-
forget I am the daughter of business
man."
The words slipped out before she was
aware Of it. She did not intend to refer
to her father, but now that she had thus
spoken the memory of the terrible tragedy
that would darken her life forever came
crowding back.
He saw gloom stealing over her face,
and thought it was due to his obstinacy.
II beg your pardon" said he penitently.
II was wrong to set my fancy against
yours. You have a perfect right to your
portrait. Please take tor rather, I will
send it YOU"
you shouldn't go from your word. Be-
sides, I don't want anything that is not
willingly given. No, won't have it now
Then, as tho her words had a bitter
sound. she added, with d gracious smile
that irradiated her face:
You mustn't take me too seriously,
Mr.. Holt. Perhaps, just now you had bet
ter keep the picture. Some day, if claim
it, will you give it me?'
The compromise was happy one, and
was open to all kinds of constructions.
He returned smile for smile.
Yes" said he, that is a bargain. But
on one condition. Give me a sitting be-
fore you leave England"
She hesitated a minute, and then ex-
tending her hand frankly, promised him
she would.
His fingers closed over hers eagerly.
Was it fancy, or did she return his warm
pressure, and was there lingering Of her
hand-almost a reluctance to withdraw It,?
Il must go now said she.
Twill you permit me to see you to the
railway station? The neighborhood is
rather rough one
1t was not SO rough in the daytime that
she should need his escort but she Of
fered no objection, and after bidding adieu
to Mrs. Holt, and promising to see her
again, she set out with Frank for Step
ney station.
In some intangible way the settlement
of the little controversy about her portrait
broke down the slight barrier which had
hitherto prevented them speaking unre-
servedly to each other, and as they
walked along the Commercal-road,
Eleanor, for the first time, alluded to the
murder and to the steps she intended to
take. She talked to Frank in way that
seemed to imply she wanted and valued
his counsel, and he tried to justify her
confidence by practical suggestions.
II find said she, that the home office
does not offer rewards now for the ap-
prehensiOn of offenders but that does not
prevent me adopting that course. What
is your opinion, Mr. Holt; do you think it
will do any good?"
l m a1rald not, SAID he. My belief is
that tho the murder was not the work of
one person only, no more than two were
concerned, and neither. is likely to
divulge the secret. You see, the confess
sion of one would not save his neck
'That may be-" she rejoined, quickly;
''but you forget the ruse by which my
poor father was induced to take that jour-
ney. 1t is hard to think that the man who
brought that forged letter-you remem-
ber?''
"The letter supposed to have been writ
ten by me-" said Frank Holt calmly.
Eyes. I was about to say that cannot
think the person who brought that letter
did not know a frightful crime was con-
templated. If he were only chance mes
senger, who was ignorant Of everything
beyond the fact that ne was to deliver the