The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-09-09

Il am quite satisfied. So
TSGr% is Aunt Janet"
and yet have barely done you
Justice" =.
The speaker looked at the lovely
girl before him, 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 0bliging 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
rs 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
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 q
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 boudor 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
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 / 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. II 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 q moment. as
40 II pocSlpIe ludl you tdie-Icdlly
care-whether l go or stay?"
The girl struggled for composure.
"Of course | care. We have been such
good friends"
Il know But nothing more, I sup
pose? What would you say if / told
you that l have learned to love you
with all my heart, and that is why
go? / am too poor to ask you to be
my wife, and your aunt wouldn't lis
ten to it for moment"
But I'm poor. too" the girl an
swered. "And ] have often thought
that l. too, should work for my lv-
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
pathetic smile. ut would be so much
Dleasanter il you stayed Besides.
am thinking of leaving London my
self. | have a long-standing invita-
ton to pay a 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 Acadamy SO
think it would be better for us tor
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 ont 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 sill 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! am sure she loves
mer' he said to himself in an exult-
so away. cannot remain in England
/ cannot be near her without asking
her to be my wife, and that. i'll 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. ut is very beautiful. Ber-
nard. And this picture should bring
yOu fame and fortune sYhen It is ex-