The Caldwell tribune., 1905-12-02
CHAPTER IT

eea CHAPTER II. II
from behind the bole of large tree
Jack Dornton was being narrowly scan
heo py young lady, who seemed we'll
pleased with the inspection. She watch
ed hlm at work for some minutes with A
ueclded look of admiration In her ewes
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 a
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.
ana found the mound an excellent pillow.
Before he had enjoyed two of the al
Iotted ten minutes rest, his open locket,
containing a portrait of Ethel, dropped
from his hand, and a myriad of gnats
Duzzed and whizzed in happy freedom
round his head. Jack Dornton was fast
asleep
At that moment a woman came glid-
Ing by in full view of the easel. She
was a woman of surprising loveiiness.
I tall, stately, with mass of golden plaits
coiled round and round her head, full
melting brown eyes and ripe red lips,
skin rivaling the peach in it's delicate
coloring, and a carriage queenly in it's
every movement. Her dainty cambric
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 the pretty maiden meditation
fancy free"
She gave a well-feigned start when she
had come well 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
con6ding 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
J 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 he1
knees by his side, the better to examine
the portrait.
She started yisibly when her eyes fel
upon the sweet face smiling at her from
r the tiny trinket She rose quickly and
walked away a few yards.
? so she. Is this landscape painters
5 village maiden!'" she muttered vindic
lively. "SureIy there Is some fatality il
y his coming here! I can't be mistaken
it is the same insipid babyishly pretty
face that Lord Summers pointed out tC
me in the park the other day. And SHE
+ loves this Apollo, does she? And per
q haps he thinks he loves her. Well, We
= shall see what we shall see!
There was significant glitter In hel
t fine eyes, and an instantaneous tighten
= ing of the red lips seemed to tell of {
: hard, cruel heart beneath the fair ex
+ terror. But the expression of her face
n changed as If by magic when Jack roll
\ ed over on to his side an showed sign!
of waking. She had posed gracefully
r before the easel, and awaited him.
: ~ believe I've been asleep" he mur
Y INJURED drowsily, raising himself on on
n elbow. when his eyes fell upon the daz
cling loyeliness of the girl so earnestl.
n regarding his picture and in the frs
r glimpse of Pauline Mailing, Jacks sense
: and artistic perceptions were alike rous
A cd and. springing to his feet he wen
r toward the easel.
q az beg your pardon for the libert!
7 have taken in examining your picture,
! murmured the woodland nymph melodi
ously, II hope l did not disturb you
Nav 7 be allowed to continue my inspec
4 tionW
Jack, hardly awake even yet, NUT
e +ored something about too much hon
=. or"
+ you are Mr.. Dornton, are you not?
= cha continued. still looking at the pic
| lure, ana giving JAIN IlAA0 ~ PNA- --
self together. Lord Summers told m
he was going to ask you to make pic
u ture of my house"
: II was Miss Mailing then, and
l. woodland nymph, after all. Jack felt dis
appointed, though he could not tell why
q II suppose you will remain here TO
), some days. May l offer you a little nos
II ! pitality during your stay? The Viliag
J. inns are, believe, wretchedly uncommon
e able, and should not like friend o
' nv guardians to be driven to their she
, ter. while l am at home. We are tW
10 lonely women just now, and but dun con
s q pany, fear; but we will do our best
~ make you comfortable for this week
., least. Next week am of again unit
e the end of the season, and shaH nav
- to leave you to the mercies OF the Se'
:" wants. Say you will come"
e "Thank you very much" Jack besa
besitatingly; "but 1 did not anticipate
y y IN fact, I made no preparation-.
- = SIS that the only difficulty r Sne II
~ terrupted gently. pray don't let ina
~ IJ I, tho wav. Mrs. Seton ana