The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-12-29
CHAPTER II.

1
CHAPTER II.
From behind the bole of a large ire
Jack Dornton was being narrowly scan
ned by young lady, who seemed wei
pleased with the inspection. She watch
ed him at work for some minutes with
decided look of admiration in her eyes
She turned from her survey presently
and STOPPING down, crept away slowl!
among the brushwood, making a detou
with the evident intention of reaching
the spot again.
| In the meantime Jack, stretching him
self after his spell of work, noticed /.
small natural mound covered with sof
velvety grass. The more he looked tn
stronger became the temptation to tax,
ten minutes rest. He yielded at last
| and found the mound an excellent pillow
Before he had enjoyed two of the al
lotted ten minutes rest, his open locket
containing a portrait Of Ethel, dropped
from his hand, and a myriad of gnat.
buzzed and whizzed in happy freedom
round his head. Jack Dornton was fas,
asleep.
At that moment a woman came Gid
ing by in full view of the easel. She
was a woman Of surprising loneliness
tall, stately, with mass Of golden plaita
coiled round and round her head, full
melting brown eyes and ripe red lips, q
skin rivaling the peach in its delicate
coloring, and q carriage Queenly in ita
every movement. Her dainty cambria
gown. cunningly made to more express
than hide her FORM" trained carelessly
among the ivy roots and brambles be-
hind her. Her simple straw hat she car
ried in her hand, and her whole air sug-
gested tho pretty maiden meditation
fancy free"
She gave a well-feigned start when she
had come well in view of Jacks easel.
It was not pleasant to watch the swift
change that came over the beautiful face
as she marked the vacant seat and
thought herself alone. 1t revealed I'M
mistakably the defects of her character
az indicated in the cruel little curves at
tho corners Of the mouth. which were
generally concealed beneath the pretty
confding smile that from long practice
had become habitual with her.
Advancing cautiously, she glanced
around, and soon discovered Jack s
whereabouts. She went quickly to the
easel, and critically examined the morn
ing's work. Turning aside, she remarked
to herself, with such decided talent
and such an appearance, he would be
sure to succeed II he were properly taken
up" She then walked on tip toe to
Jack, and scrutinized him quite as crit
ically as she had scrutinized his work,
and evidently with a. much approval.
Then her quick eye detected the open
locket by his side.
She looked carefully at the sleeper and
having assured herself Of the soundness
Of his slumbers, went down upon her
knees by his side, tho better to examine
the portrait.
She started visibly when her eyes fell
upon the sweet face smiling at her from
the tiny trinket. She rose quickly and
walked away a few yards.
80 she is this landscape painters
village maiden!" she muttered vindic-
lively. "Surely there is some fatality in
his coming here! l can't be mistaken,
1t is the same insipid babyishly pretty
face that Lord Summers pointed out to
me in the park the other day. And she
loves this Apollo, does she2 And per-
haps he thinks he loves her. Well, we
shall see what we shall see"
There was a significant glitter in her
fine eyes, and an instantaneous tighten.
ing of the red lips seemed to tell of a
hard, cruel heart beneath the fair ex.
terror. But the expression Of her face
changed as if by magic when Jack roll
ed over on to his side and showed signs
of waking She had posed gracefully
before the easel, and awaited him.
" believe I've been asleep" he muir
| INJURED drowsily, raising himself on on,
elbow, when his eyes fell upon the daz
cling loneliness of the girl so earnestly
| regarding his picture; and in the frs
glimpse of Pauline Mailing, Jacks senses
and artistic perceptions were alike rous
ed, and, springing to his feet he wen
toward the easel.
| II beg your pardon for the libert.
l have taken in examining your picture,
murmured the woodland nymph melodi
ously. Il hope l did not disturb you
May 1 be allowed to continue my inspec
tion?
Jack, hardly awake even yet, NUT
cred something about "too much hon
You are Mr.. Dornton, are you not :?
continued, still looking at the pic
and giving Jack time to pull him
gether. Lord Summers told m
going to ask you to make pic
~ house."
Miss Mailing then, and n
-mph, after all. Jack felt di:
'ough he could not tell why
you will remain here fo
lay offer you a little no!
your stay? The villag
we, wretchedly uncomfor
,uld not like a friend {
be driven to their she
at home. We are tw
., lust now, and but dull con
.ar: but we will do our best
~ comfortable for this week .
Next week l am off again unit
"A Of the season, and shall haN
Va YOU to the mercies of the ga
Saw you will come"
.rhonk YOU very much" Jack begs
.;ta+;ngly: ''but I did not anticipate
eoa+ + made no preparation"
..1s that the only difficulty" she
,o-runted gently. pray don't let tn
le sana IN tho way. Mrs. Seton and
e.;,1 sbnt our eyes to the enormity OF
VIII Of dinner, and will proml