The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-17

And yet i have barely done you
Justice"
The speaker looked at the lovely
girl before him. half-critically, tenderly
altogether. She was we'll worth look
ing at Rather tall and slight of fig
nre; her mass OF fair hair with glints
OF gold; her large and soft brown eyes
-short-sighted, as such eyes often
are, and obliging the use of pince-
nez, which did not detract from their
clearness-but most, the low, sweet
voice, with the merriest laugh pos
gible-made a bright and fascinating
figure, which appealed to the artist
as well as to dhe man. Louie Mayn-
ard was an orphan, whose mother died
at her birth, her father falling in India
some years later. He fell in action as
q soldier, and left her to her aunt,
Lady Janet Berkeley, on whom she
was entirely dependent, to bring up.
Bernard Ross, for his part, was
young and rising artist and distant
cousin Of Lady Janet, who wished TO
give him helping hand by letting him
paint her beautiful niece for his Aca.
DENY picture. She had given mp her
small boudoir for the purpose of the
sittings, so that she could keep the
young people under her own eye.
The girl looked up at Bernard for a
moment. 1T has been a happy time
for us, hasn't it? I'm sorry the pic
1ure is finished"
$50 am l." answered Bernard. "And
when ! am away shall look back to
this as 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. ~ mean to leave London to-
morrow. For where, don't know yet.
MY pictures for the Academy are fin.
lshed, and I'm free to go where I
wish"
Tomorrow! AS soon as thatT
And Louie leaned back in her chair
looking very white.
He was at her side in moment. "Is
Is It possible that you care-really
care-whether l go or stay"
The girl struggled for composure.
"Of course care. We have been such
good friends"
II know. But nothing more. / sup
pose? What would you say if 1 told
you that I have learned to love you
with all my heart, and that is why l
go? l am too poor to ask you to be
my wife, and your aunt wouldn't lis
ten to it for a moment"
But I'm poor, too" the girl an
swered. "And 1 have often thought
that I, too, should work for my liv-
Ing. But Aunt Janet is kindness it.
self, and wouldn't hear of 1t. But
please don't leave London on my ac-
count" she added. looking up with
pathetic smile. 1T would be so much
pleasanter If you stayed. Besides,
am thinking of leaving London my
self. have long-standing invita-
don to pay visit to some relations
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 It is wiser for
you to be in London when your pic
lures are sent in for the Academy. So
think 1t would be better for us to
say good-by now than have a formal
parting before Aunt Janet"
'But, Louie, how can we part like
this?" said Bernard impetuously.
SHave you nothing to say to me?"
"Nothing but good-by."
Then she held out her hand, and the
young man took it in both his own.
They both thrilled at 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 still hesltatlng the girl
turned awdy quickly and left the
room.
"She loves me! am sure she loves
me-! he said to himself in an exult-
dng tone. II saw it in her look. l must
go away. / cannot remain in England.
I cannot be near her without asking
her to be my wife, and that, in defiance
or her aunt, l know she will never be-"
He crossed the room to the portrait,
and looked at 1t lovingly. The face
seemed to return the look from the
canvas.
hV otoOu lutTe tue QOOr was
softly opened, and Lady Janet Berke.
aey 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 hei
hand. ut is very beautiful, Ber
nard. And this picture should bring
You fame and fortune when It is ex
hibited in the Academy, as It is sure
to be-"
1T was a labor of love, Cousir
1anet.p
Il wish were rich enough to be abb,
to afford to buy It," Lady Janet added
He touched the picture lovingly will
his hands. and said 81 will never sci
It."
"But. my dear boy how can you ex
pect you are going to make your for
tune II you won't sell your first bi,
picture? Why won't you. And ,
curious expression came Into her eye
as she looked keenly at the youn,