Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-06-16
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
TIE TWO RUNAWAyS

tue ~ lnlSn'N' duN NOH "i' S''''h'N'
Il am quite satisfied. SO is Aunt
Janet"
And yet ! have barely done you JUS
tice."
The speaker looked at the lovely girl
before him. half critically, tenderly al
together. She was well worth looking
at Rather tall and slight OF figure;
her mass of fair hair with glints Of
gold her large and soft brown eyes
shoit-sigh,cd. us such eyes often are.
and obliging the use of pince-nez,
which did not distract from their clear
hess-but most, the low, sweet voice.
with the merricst laugh possible made
a bright and fascinating figure. which
the man. Louie Maynard was AN or
phan. whose mother died at her birth.
her father falling in India some years
later. He fell In action Ms soldier,
and left her TO her aunt. Lady Janet
Berkeley. on whom she was entirely
dependent. to bring up. Bernard Ross,
tor his part. was a young and rising
artist and Il distant cousin Of Lady
Janet, who wished 10 give him a help
ing hand by letting him paint her beau
tiiul niece for his academy picture. She
had given up her small boudOir for the
purpose OF the sittings, so that she
could keep the young people under her
own eye.
ha ,ft.1 oil ut n.rnupI fnr "a
moment. 1T has been a happy time for
us, hasn't It? I'm sorry the picture Is
finished"
so am l." answered Bernard. And
when am far away shall look back
TO this rs the happiest time of my life
Where are you going and when?''
asked Louie. in a frightened voice.
DO you really care to know" Louie
nodded. II mean to leave London TO-
morrow. For where, don't know yet.
My pictures for the academy are fin
ished ana I'm free TO go where wish.
Tomorrow. As soon as that?" And
Louie leaned back in her chair looking
very white.
nv was ut NiN' III IL
1t possible that you care-really care
whether ] go or stay?"
The girl struggled for composure. "Oi
course I care. We have been such good
friends"
Il know. But nothing more, | sup.
pose? What would you say II told
you that | have learned TO love you
With all my heart, and that Is why
70? am too poor 10 ask you to be
my wife, and your aunt won't listen "a
IL for moment"
But I'm poor, too" the girl an
swered. And | have often thought
that !, too, should work for my living
But Aunt Janet Is kindness itself, and
wouldn't hear of II. But please don't
leave London on my account" she
added, looking up with q pathetic
smile. 1T would he SO much pleasant
er II you stayed. Besides, I am think
ing of leaving London myself. have
a long-standing invitation to pay visit
10 some relatives who live far away
from England"
"Oh, Louie, how can | let you go?"
You see," she went on, you have
your work to do. And II is wiser for
you 10 be In London when your pictures
are sent In for the academy. So
think II would be better for US to say
good-by now than have a formal part
ing before Aunt Janet"
But, Louie, how can We part like
|this?" said Bernard impetuously, Have
you nothing 10 say TO me?'
Nothing but good-by."
Then she held out her hand, and the
young man took II In both his own,
They both thrilled AZ the contact, and
their eyes met, Each read the secret
of the other, the love that does not die.
But still Bernard could not persuade
himself to speak out, and while he was
Istill hesitating the girl turned away
quickly and left the room.
she loves me! am sure she loves
mel" he said to himself in an exult-
ling tone. II saw II in her look. must
81 away, cannot be near her without
asking her to be my wife, and that In
defiance of her aunt, know she will
never be-" He crossed the room to the
portrait, and looked at II lovingly. The
face seemed to return the look from
the canvas.
While he stood there the door was
softly opened, and Lady Janet Berke-
ley came in. She crossed the room
quietly. and, coming behind the young
man, she looked at the picture over his
shoulder, on which she gently laid her
hand. 1T is very beautiful, Bernard
And this picture should bring you fame
and fortune when it is exhibited in
the academy as II is sure to be-"
1T was labor of love, Cousin
Janet"
II wish were rich enough to be able
To afford TO buy IL" Lady Janet added
He touched the picture lovingly with
his hands, and said Il will never sell
It,"
But, my dear boy, how can you ex-