Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-08-26
TwoRunaways

>kO1G ES-this is really good-by
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justice.
The speaker looked at the lovely
girl before him, ALPHABETICALLY, 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
sib)e-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
Mt her birth, her father falling in India
some years later. He fell in action as
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 helping hand by letting him
paint her beautiful niece for his AGA
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 at Bernard for a
moment. at 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 l am away I shall look back to
this as the happiest time of my life."
Where are you going, and when? p
asked Louie, in a frightened voice.
''Do you really care to know" Louie
nodded. az mean to leave London to-
morrow. For where, don't know yet.
My pictures for the Academy are fin
ished, and I'm free to go where l
wish"
Tomorrow! AS soon as that?'
And Louie leaned back in her chair
looking very white.
He was at her side in a moment ais
is it possible that you care-really
care-whether I go or stay?"
The girl struggled for composure.
"Of course 1 care. We have been such
good friends"
II know. But nothing more. / sup
pose? What would you say if 1 told
you that l have learned to love you
with all my heart, and that is why 1
got l am too poor to ask you to be
my wife, and your aunt wouldn't lis
ten to it for q moment"
But I'm poor, too" the girl an
swered. "And 1 have often thought
that 1, too, should work for my liv-
ing. But Aunt Janet is kindness it.
self, and wouldn't hear of it. But
please don't leave London on my &C.
count" she added, looking up with a
pathetic smile. at would be so much
pleasanter if you stayed. Besides, I
am thinking of leaving London my
self. l have a long-standing invita-
ton to pay 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
l think it 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 me?"
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! 1 am sure she loves
me" he said to himself in an exult-
ing tone. II saw it in her look. must
go away. cannot remain in England.
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 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. at is very beautiful, Der
nard. And this picture should bring
you fame and fortune when it is ex-
hibited in the Academy, as 1t is sure
to be-"
at was a labor OF love. Cousin
JANET
II wish were rich enough to be able
TO afford to buy it," Lady Janet added.
He touched the picture lovingly with
his hands. and said 81 will never sell
it,"
But my dear boy, how can you ex-
pect you are going to make your for
tune if you won't sell your first big
picture? Why won't you. And a
curious expression came into her eyes
as she looked keenly at the young
man.
ACCNoooC 4OfC AOu1Cs AC ILLS w CI 0AA
frankly. "And as she will never be
my wife I shall keep it in remem-
brance of these happy days You see
that | am quite open with you. Cousin
Janet"
"Ohl Does Louie know of this?"
''Yes. ! told her l loved her"
what did she say:"
Absolutely nothing"
did you ask her to marry you?"
"Oh. no. How could l do that, cous-
in, when knew of your views of herr"
ooh, you thought I had other views.
Why didn't you ask me?''
Because you told me one day that
you hoped she would marry Lord Clay
don. And | thought it was quite set
tied"
''Then I may go as far as to say"
Lady Janet answered, Nthat Lord Clay
don has asked her. and hope she Will
accept him. though she has not yet