Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-10-16
By
CHARLES
GARVICE


this?"
Really: II don't know it's value.
have never-What should you think
it is worth?''
eff fifty pounds"
"You-you think was going to
say twenty"
1--WE will say fifty. You have not
! finished it yet?''
"No, no; will lido so carefully-most
carefully. lit shall be the most
finished picture l have ever painted.
81 am sure you will do your best, "
said the duke. Il will accept your
kind invitation to see your other pic
lures, and now l must be getting
back. Good-morning."
"Good-morning What did you say
your name was?"
Temple said the duke. He glanced
! at Leslie, raised his hat, was helped
into the chair by Grey, who had stood
immovable and impressive just out OF
hearing, and was wheeled away.
Lisle stood all OF a quiver for a
moment, then beckoned to Leslie.
what is it, 1ear?" she said, sooth-
ingly. Had the crippled stranger told
| him what his picture was really like?
"That-that gentleman has bought
you the day would come and it has
come at last! Luch has taken a turn,
Leslie l see a great future before
me. l only wanted some one with an
appreciative, artistic eye, and this Mr..
MIR. Temple is evidently possessed
of one. He saw the value of this at
once; 1 noticed his face change direct
ly when he looked at it,
Leslie's face gradually grew red.
"What-what has he given you for it,
dear?"
Fifty pounds Fifty pounds! 1t
may not be as much as it is worth;
but-but it is a large sum to us, and
[ am satiSfieG-mOre than satisfied. /
wonder what he will do with it? Do
you think he would let me exhibit it?
l will ask him-not just now, but when
it is finished l must finish it at once.
Where is my olive green? l have left
it at home. Bring it to me, Leslie; it
is on the side-table.'
She went without a word. At the
corner of the street she overlook the
Bath chair, hesitated moment, walked
on, and then came back.
The duke peered up at her from IN
der his brows.
Il want to speak to you,' she said,
her breath coming and going quickly
He motioned to Grey to withdraw oUt
of hearing, and, struggling to keep her
voice steady, Leslie went on: Il want
to thank you. But, OH why did you do
it? 1 know-you know-that it is not
worth it. Why"
"Do not distress yourself, Miss
Lisle," he said, gently. You refer to
my purchase of your fathers picture?"
yes. 1t was kind OF you, and it has
given him, oh! you can not tell what
pleasure!"
Yes, l think l can. 1t is not the
money"
mo! Not altogether she added.
Just So | understand. And don't
you understand that / have bought
something more than the sketch? Miss
Lisle, I'm not the richest man in Eng
land"-he was just within the truth
"but I can afford the luxury OF bestow-
ing pleasure on my fellow-creatures
now and again. Please don't begrudge
or deny me that! l have not too many
pleasures" and he glanced downward
at his stunted figure. II fancy l am
more pleased than your father. Don't
say any more; and please don't look
SO heart-broken, or you will rob me
OF more than half my satisfaction.
Miss Lisle, forgive me, but thir you
love your father?"
"Yes-ah, yes!" she breathed.
Very well, then, be careful you do
not let him see that you think he has
got too good price for his picture.
Let him be happy; happiness comes
too seldom for us to turn it aside with
cold welcome"
II thank you, Mr.. Temple. You
have made him happy, and-ah, L can't
tell YOU what | feel" and she turned
and hurried up the street.
The duke looked after her with a
wistful expression on his pale face.
"She is an angel! Yes, an angel at
present, but tell her that l am the
Duke of Rothbury and she will become
transformed into harpy, and want to
marry me like the rest! Grey, where
are you? Have you gone to sleep?
Are you going to keep me here all
day."