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

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 ut the young
man.
Because 1 love Louie" he answered
frankly. "And as she will never be
my wife 1 shall keep it in remem-
brance of these happy Gays. You see
that I am quite open with You, Cousin
Janet"
"Oh! Does Louie know of this?~
eyes. 1 told her 1 loved her,"
"What did she say"
Absolutely nothing"
ibid you ask her to marry you:"
"Oh. no. How could I do that, cous-
in. when l knew Of your views of her?'
"Oh. you thought l 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 I thought it was quite set
tied"
"Then I may go as far as to say"
Lady Janet answered, shat Lord Clay.
don has asked her, and I hope she will
accept him. though she has not yet
done so. I'm very sorry. Bernard
and sorry. too, that l let you paint her
portrait"
Don't say that, Cousin Janet, for
the time has been a happy one. and 1
shall always think of the helping hand
you gave me. Good-by. I will come
for the picture later, when there is no
chance Of my meeting Louie" And
he held out his hand.
"Good-by, Bernard. I'm sorry. But
you have behaved very WELL"
As Lady Janet turned from the door,
she thought to herself, "What could
the boy mean by falling in love with
Louie? It will spoil everything. I
wonder what answer she will give to
Lord Clayton now. If l were her age
I know which I should choose"
Her thoughts were interrupted by
Louie's voice at the door. AUNT Janet,
are you there" And Louie rushed inn
petu0usly in. "Oh. Aunt, has he
gomez"
what he?" asked Aunt Janet.
"Why, Bernard, Of course oh. aunt,
I am SO unhappy" And the girl sank
into a chair and began to cry.
Lady Janet few to her side. what is
the matter, dear? And why are you
Bernard IS going away from Eng
all on account of me-"
Il understood something of this from
the boy. I have just seen him. He
told me that he asked you to be his
wife. and that you gave him no an
But that's just it. He didn't ask me.
So how could I answer him?"
listen to me for a minute. What
r you going to make Lord
Clayton? He can give you home.
name and position. And I have very
little to give you"
"Oh, Aunt Janet. but Idon't love him.
I cannot be his wife. And I do love
Bernard, though he is 70 stupid. And
I al be his wife, IL he asks me. And
he'll 60 away. and never know.
Aunt Janet. will you let me 60 and
stay with my cousins in South Africa?
I want to go away. so that Bernard will
in England"
Perhaps it is better that you
should" answered her aunt. "Tm
sorry You can't marry Lord Clayton.
but I won't stand in your way II Ber-
nard should ask you"
HE will never ask me now" said
the girl.
"You needn't be afraid Of that, my
dear. He is IRE to do It ooner or
later. And when he does. tell him that
I have no plans. except for your hap
love the boy. II for nothing
else. for his fathers sake" She
stopped and kissed the girl. and then
went quietly out Of the room.
Louie sat upright in her chair, her
face flushed and her hair slightly dis
hevelled, but looking very pretty with
al. "Was there ever such q complies.
ton? Here is Bernard, whom I love.
marching out Of England because I
won't be his wife as he hasn't asked
me; and here am I. whom Bernard
loves, marching out Of England be-
cause he won't ask me-" And she went
again to look at the picture on the
easel. 'lt's very like me. but much
more beautiful than I could be-"
Az she was thinking this, Bernard
came back into the room. Louie looked
at him from behind the easel. "Oh.
IL that your she said In q lame kind
Of way.