The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-12-30
CHAPTER III.

JACK Dornton was being narrowly scan
ned by 4 young lady. who seemed well
pleased with the inspection. She watch
ed aim at work for some minutes with a
decided look Of admiration In her eyes.
She turned from her survey presently.
and stopping down. erept 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
yelvety 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 lOeket.
containing a portrait Of Ethel, dropped
from his hand. and a myriad Of gnAts
buzzed and whizzed in happy freedom
round his head. Jack D0rnton was fast
asleep.
At that moment a woman came Gid
ing by in full view Of the easel She
was a woman Of surprising lovsliness,
tall. stately. with mass Of golden plaits
eoiled round aud round her head. full
melting brown eyes and ripe red lips, a
skin rtvaiing the peach In its delicate
coloring. and a carriage queenly In its
every movement. Her dainty cambria
gown, cunningly made to more express
than hide her FORM" trained earelessly
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-feigued start when she
had come well in view Of Jacks easel
Ii was not pleasant to watch the swift
change that came over the beautiful face
As she marked the vacant seat and
thought herself alone. II revealed I'M
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 aud soon discovered Jacks
wherea bouts. She went quickly 70 the
easel, and critically examined the morn
Jugs work Turning aside, she remarked
tn herself, with such decided talent
AMI such an appearance. be would be
sure - succeed II he we're properly takea
up" She :hSu walked on tip toe TO
Jack. and scrutlnized him quite as crit
ically a. 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 sIumbers, went down upon her
knees BY his side, the better 10 examine
the portrait.
She started visibly when her eyes fell
upon the sweet face smiling at her from
the tiny trinket. She rOse quickly aud
walked away a few yards.
80 she Is this landscape painters
village maiden she muttered viadic-
lively. Surely there IS some fatality In
| bis coming here! / can't be mistak ken.
It is the same iasipid babyishiy 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 be thinks be loves her. Well. we
shall see what we shall see
There Vas 4 significant glitter In her
fine eyes, and an instantiueous 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 az If By magic when Jack roll
! ed over on 10 his side and showed siEns
Of waking. She had posed gracefully
before the easel, and awaited him.
Il believe I've been asleep" be muir
INJURED drowsiiy, raising himself on one
elbow. when his eyes fell upon the dnz-
zlinE loveiinsss Of the girl so earnestly
regarding his picture. and in the hrst
glimpse Of Pauline Mailing. Jacks senses
and artistic perceptions were alike roua-
ed. and. sprlnging to his feet he went
toward the easel
Il beg your pardon for the liberty
I have taken in examining your picture. g
murmured the woodland nymph melodi-
ously. II hope l did not disturb you
May be allowed to continue my lnspec-
tionY'
Jack, hardly awake even Jet. NUT.
tered something about too much hon
or"
You are Mr. Dornton. are you not p
| she continued, still looking az 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"
/ II was Miss Mailing then. and no
woodland nymph, after all. Jack felt dis
appointed. though he could not tell why.
/ Il suppose you will remain here for
/ some days. May ! offer you a little hos
/ pitality during your stayl The villas
inns arc, believe. wretchedly uncomfOrt-
able. and | should not ike a friend Of
my guardians to be driven 70 their shell
/ ter while I am At home. We are two
lonely women just now. and but dull com
pany. fear. but We Rill do our best 70
make you comfortable for this week at
least Next week | am Of again until
the end OF the season. and shall have
to leave you 10 the msrcies Of the ser
wants. Say you will come"
Thank you very much" Jack began
hesitatiugly; but did not anticipate
In fact. | made no pFsparation-''
is that the only difhcultyY' she In
terrupted gently. Pray don't let that
stand in the way. Mrs. ssfen and |
viii shut cur eyes to the snorulity Of =
a.