The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1904-09-07

"And yet 1 have barely done you
Justice"
The speaker looked at the lovely
girl before him. half-critically, tenderly
+! altogether. She was well worth look
ing at. Rather tall and slight of fig
ure; 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 a pince-
nez, which did not detract from their
clearness-but most, the low, sweet
voice, with the merriest laugh pos
sible-made a bright and fascinating
figure. which appealed to the artist
as well as to the 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
a 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 a
young and rising artist and a distant
cousin Of Lady Janet, who wished to
give him a helping hand by letting him
paint her beautiful niece for his Aca-
deny 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.
: The girl looked up Mt Bernard for !
moment. ut has been a happy time
for us, hasn't it? I'm sorry the pic
ture is finished"
$50 am l." answered Bernard. "And
when I am away I shall look back to
this as the happiest time Of my life."
"Where are you going. and whenY"
asked Louie. in a frightened voice.
do you really car to know?" Louie
nodded. II mean to leave London to-
morrow. For where, I don't know yet.
My pictures for the Academy are fin
ished. and I'm free to 80 where I
wish"
Tomorrow! As soon a. that?"
And Louie leaned back in her chair
looking very white.
He was at her side in a moment. "Is
is It possible that you %care-really
care-whether I go or stay?"
LUG 6As AOA COuIpOSuIV.
"Of course I care. We have been such
good friends"
II know. But nothing more, I 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 1
go? l am too poor to ask you to be
my wife, and your aunt wouldn't lis
ten to it for a momeEt."
"But I'm poor, too" the girl an
swered. "And I have often thought |
that /. too, should work for my iiv- |
ing. But Aunt Janet is kindness it.
self. and wouldn't hear of it. But /
please don't leave London on my ac-
count" she added. looking up with a
pathetic smile. ut would be 50 much |
pleasanter If you stayed. Besides. 1
am thinking of leaving London my
self. I have a. long-standing invita-
lion to pay q visit to some relations
who live far away from England"
"Oh. Louie. how can I 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.
Have you nothing to say to mel"
Nothing but good-by."
Then she held out her hand, and the |
young man took 1t 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 hesitating the girl
turned away quickly and left the
room.
"She loves me! I am sure she loves
me!' he said to himself in. an exult. !
ing tone. II saw 1t in her look. I must /
60 away. l cannot remain in England.
I cannot be near her without asking !
her to be my wife, and that. in defiance /
Of her aunt, I know she will never be-"
He crossed the room to the portrait, !
and looked at It 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. Ber-
nard. And this picture should bring
you fame and fortune when It IL ex-
hibited in the Academy, as it is sure
n ~