Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-02-28

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| could not have meant self-destruction
Lady Patricia started up with a cry
and stinging conscience. She knew
quite well she had encouraged the ad.
miration of the sentimental younp
| artist; so many men admired her. and
she delighted in the power she held
over them, and Of seeing the delight
or disappointment they experienced
| in her varying caplices. And now
oh, no! It could not be! Her vanity
could not be punished so! She must
stop him before it was too late.
With this idea firmly fixed in her
mind, Lady Patricia rang the bell and
demanded her cloak.
will my lady allow me to dress
her? said the little French maid,
aghast at the unusual proceedings of
dressing in the drawing room.
No, no, Pauline, have no time!"
said her ladyship.
But my lady's coiffure." said Paul
inc, raising her hands.
will do well enough for my mis-
sion," said Lady Patricia grimly.
Now, Pauline, order me hanson at
once-do you hear? I cannot wait for
the carriage"
And few minutes later her lady
ship was rafting swiftly along in the
direction of Bloomsbury Square, but
rot swiftly enough for her, as the
pale, anxious face in the side mirrors
revealed. Impatient and heartsick as
she was, she could not nelp question
ing herself on the step she was TAX
ing. Would she have ,acne as much
for the portly Sir Richard Humphrey
whose huge person and large estate
were forever at her disposal? No, nor
for any one of her suitors, wealthy
and we'll born as they were. But Paul
was different.
She began wondering what her life
without him would be like, and it did
not seem alluring. How eagerly she
had looked forward to his weekly
visits, with what docility she had sat
for hours on end for a picture she did
not want. She knew now what she
had wilfully ignored before She loved
Paul, and would give up the world for
his sake.
The instant the cab stopped her
ladyship jumped out, and telling the
man to wait for her, ran swiftly up
the stone steps which led to the ar
lists fiat. The front door was ajar,
and she walked in without knocking,
and through the long passage which
led to his studio
Her heart was beating rapidly when
she came to his door, and her breath
came quickly. She hardly knew what
she would do or say. She only knew
she would be weak and womanly.
Then suddenly there came voices from
within, and, surprised, she opened the
door softly and looked in.
Paul Keston was not alone. Near
him-very near-was a young and
pretty girl, with whom he appeared to
be on very friendly terms. The artist
was not pale or distraught-quite the
reverse. He seemed to be a trifie
anxious, it's true, but he had by no
means the air of man who medr'
tated suicide. He was speaking in
low voice to the girl and Lady Pa
tricia strained her ears to catch the
words. Could he be making her a
confdante?
"Rose," he said, 'I'm going to make
a clean breast of 1t. You know
have always loved you, ever since you
were small enough to carry about in
my arms. Well, lately | have been
subjected to fearful temptation, and
fell. Rose, Rose, you know how
loved my art! | found an opportu'
nity-someOne who vas wealthy and
aff1uent enough to help me on with
my work She was very rich and very
beautiful, and l thought she cared for
me- Forgive me, Rose, if she had
loved me, 1 should never have been
saying these words to you today.
The girls face changed from red to
white. and her hands trembled nerv-
ously. For some time after the man
had spoken she made no movement;
then she looked up and caught his
glance. She was by his side in a mo-
ment.
ooh. Paul! Oh, PAUL" she cried In
reproachful accents.
"My own darling!" said the artist,
caressing her. "Will you forgive me!
Tell me you did not love her.! ex-
claimed the girl, lifting her passion
ate face to his. "Only tnat and moth
ing else matters"
81 care more for your little finger
than for any other woman in the
world" whispered the artist, foldl1Ss
her in his arms. "You believe me, my
Rose?"
ooh, how l bless her for not loving
vou!" cried the girl.
And Lady Patricia waited to hear
TO more She turred from the door,
| Der face study in varying express
sion-jealousy, anger, disappointment
struggling with relief and contempt.
Then she paused-she could not fore.
GO a passing shaft; the temptation OF
letting him know that she had been
there. and had proved his inslncerity'
was too strong for her. She tore one