Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1905-11-02
CHAPTER II,

From behind the bole of q large tree
Jack Dornton was being narrowly scan
ned by a young lady. who seemed we'll
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 slowly
among the brushwood. making a detour
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 soft
velvety grass. The more he looked the
stronger became the temptation to take
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 gnats
buzzed and whizzed in happy freedom
round his head. Jack Dornton was fast
asleep.
At that moment a woman came glld-
ing by in full view of the easel. She
was woman of surprising loveliness
tall, stately, with mass of golden plalts
coiled round and round her head, full
melting brown eyes and ripe red lips,
skin rivaling the peach in its delicate
coloring, and a carriage queenly in its
every movement. Her dainty cambric
gown, cunninsiy 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 the pretty maiden meditation
fancy free"
She gave a well-feigned start when she
had come we'll in view of Jacks easel.
1t 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 un-
mistakably the defects of her character
as indicated in the cruel little curves at
the corners of the mouth, which were
generally concealed beneath the pretty
contidng smile that from long practice
had become habitual with her.
Advancing cautiously, she glanced
around, and soon discovered Jack $
whereabouts. She went quickly to the
easel, and critically examined the morn
ng's work. Turning aside, she remarked
to herself, with such decided talent
and such an appearance, he would be
sure to succeed if 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 as 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, the 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 painter s
village maiden" she muttered vindic-
lively. "Surely there is some fatality in
his coming here! | can't be mistak ken,
it 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 she? And per-
haps he thinks he loves her. Well, we
shall see what we shall see.'
There was a significant glitter in her
fine ewes. 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.
II believe I've been asleep he muir
INJURED drowsily, raising himself on one
elbow, when his eyes fell upon the daz-
zling loveliness of the girl SO earnestly
regarding his picture; and in the first
glimpse of Pauline Mailing, Jacks senses
and artistic perceptions were alike rous-
ed, and, springing to his feet he went
toward the easel
II beg your pardon for the liberty
I have taken in examining your picture, "
murmured the woodland nymph melodi-
ously. Il hope l did not disturb you.
May be allowed to continue my inspec-
tion?'
Jack, hardly awake even yet, NUT
tered something about too much hon
or"
"You are Mr.. Dornton, are you not?'
she continued. still looking at the pic
ture, and giving Jack time to pull him
self together. Lord Summers told me
he was going to ask you to make a pic
ture of my house."
1t was Miss Mailing then, and no
woodland nymph, after all. Jack felt dis
appointed, though he could not tell why.
II suppose you will remain here for
some days May | offer you little hos
pitality during your stay? The village
inns are, believe wretchedly uncomfort-
able, and | should not like a friend of
my guardians to be driven to their shell
ter while ! am at home. We are two
lonely women just now, and but dull com
pany. | fear; but we will do our best to
make you comfortable for this week at
least. Next week | am off again until
the end Of the season, and shall have
to leave you to the mercies of the ser
wants. Say you will come"
Thank you very much" Jack began
hesitatingly; but l did not anticipate
In fact, | made no preparation-
"Is that the only diflicultyT she In
terrupted gently. Pray don't let that
stand in the way. Mrs. Seton and |
will shut our eyes to the enormity of a
morning coat at dinner, and will promise
to think no less Of you on that account.
We dine at half past seven, so that we
may have an hour or two of these lovely
summer evenings in the gardens"