Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-07-30


Justice
The sneaker looked at the lovely
girl before him, half-critically, tenderly
altogether. She was well worth look
ing at. Rather tall and slight OF hg'
ure: her mass of fair hair with glints
Of gold; her large and soft brown eyes
short sighted, as such eyes often
are, and obliglng the use or pihce-
uez, which did not detract from tier
clcarness-but most, the low, SWEEP
voice. with the merriest laugh pos
sible-made bright and fascinating
figure, which appealed to the artist
as we'll as to the man. Louie Mayh-
ard was an orphan, whose mother died
at 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
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 up hel
I sittiiigs so that she could keep the
young people under her own eye.
The girl looked up at Bernard for a
moment at has been happy time
for us, hasn't it? I'm sorry the pic
ture is finished"
80 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 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
| ished, and I'm free to go where
wish"
Tomorrow! AS soon as thatT
And Louie leaned back in her chair
looking very white.
| He was at her side in moment. as
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" -.---'' ''-
~ know But nothing more. 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? l am too poor to ask You to be
my wife, and your aunt wouldn't lis
| ten it for moment"
But I'm poor, too" the girl an,
swered. "And l have often thought
that l. 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. 1T would be so much
pleasanter if you stayed. Besides, l
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 l let you go?"
"You see," she went on, "you have
your work to do. And it is wiser fol-
you to be in London when your pic.
| 1890 snn+ In, FOR tho Academy Sc
l think it would be better for lis ia
say good-by now than have 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 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 hesitating the girl
tined away quickly and left the
loom.
"She loves me! am sure she loves
ME" he said to himself in an eXult
ing tone. II saw it in her look I must
go away. / cannot remain in England
l cannot be near her without asking
her to be my wife, and that, in defiance
He crossed the room to the portrait
and looked at 1t lovingly. The face
seemed to return the look from the
canvas.
While he stood there the door was
softly opened, and Lady Janet Berke-
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, Der.
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 labor of love, Cousin
Janet"
Il 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 II 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.
because love Louie" he answered
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"
"Oh! Does Louie know of this"
"Yes. l told her loved her"
what did she say
absolutely nothing"
"Did you ask her to marry you"
"Oh. no. How could do that. cous
in. when knew of your views of herr
"Oh. you thought l had other views
Why didn't you ask me?'
Because you told me one day thai
you hoped she would marry Lord Clay
don. And l thought it was quite set
tied"
"Then l may go rs far as to say
Lady Janet answered, that Lord Clay
don has asked her. and hope she vii
accept him. though she has not We