Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-12-20
Like a Gentleman.
BY y. A. TIFFANY.

e'e ih"Ahet VI bsius iiuicusous-i
shall think so Afterwards: but at
present II shall embarrass me. |
came here alone. to enjoy the coo.
breeze OF the lake; and have lost
my little purse, Not much was there
in II. true; but cannot walk the
seven miles TO the city back. You
look like gentleman. sir. That ia
why | trust you to tell you my trou.
ble."
And she looked like a lady, In her
neat white linen suit. with tan shoes,
sailor hat and dainty lace parasol.
She was pretty, too-yery pretty, and
reasonably young; she could not be
more than 20. She spoke with de.
cided foreign accent: but her voice
was soft and sweetly yibratory.
Il give the gentleman my card, so
he win know me. who | am; and |
viii send him the car fare through the
post Office. II he will give me his ad-
dress"
Il wasn't thinking Of that" he said.
with a smile. Il will gladly let you
take any change you need. But
was thinking-there is an awful
crowd here-may not have the
pleasure Of taking you to the car and
seeing you safely to your homer"
you are a most kind gentleman,
! shall thank you for the courtesy.
SIR"
He gave her his arm. and together
they threaded their way through
the throng OF pleasureseekers. and
were soon seated in a car bound city.
wards.
They chatted pleasantly as they
went along, unconscious Of all around
them; they might have been travelling
in private Pullman. SO absorbed
were they In one another, He gath.
cred that the lady was a miniature
painter. She had come alone from
southern Europe to make her way in
the world. He did not leave her until
she was standing safely on her own
doorstep.
But | do not know your name and
address. sir-so as to send you the car
fare" she said. as he raised his hat
and babe her goodnight"
mo" he said: that is not at all
necessary. Is your studio here?"
yes"
II was wondering whether you
wouldn't like to paint my miniature
for me. But, perhaps. your prices are
too extravagant.
, Il paint a miniature for SIS, SRA
gentleman's. Some ladies give me
more"
And why not a gentleman"
Because cannot take IL from them,
you see"
"Ah. yes-I beg your pardon. You
shall do my miniature, If you will.
When shall give you my first sit
ting?"
He had one the next day; and he
must have been a difficult subject, for
before the miniature was finished the
sittings had been numerous and pro-
| tracted. When she handed the picture
to him, he held II in his hand for a
minute, gave her the SIS, and said:
Now, really, don't know what
am going to do with this. Would you
care to keep it-Marie?"
II was the first time he had called
her by her Christian name. The dark
olive cheeks became crimson for a sec
| ond; and then, in her impulsive, south
| ern way, she tripped over to him, took
the miniature from his outstretched
hand and kissed ii.
| But ii Is such a good, beautiful
face" she said. with another blush;
land you are so kind to me-"
He had called again the next day
though his business with her was
| finished: and before he took his leave
he had returned to her in person the
| kiss that she had imprinted on his
| miniature. After that, they had gone
| to the lake resorts many times to-
| gether in the evenings, and some
| times. on moonlight nights, he mad
! hired a launch and taken her for a
cruise on the lake.
The harmless Irritation had drifted
! into something far more serious; and
/ he was getting tired of it-either
tired of the woman or ashamed oil
| himself.
He had never told her his real
/ name nor his address. Always, from
| the first, he had intended to break
away from the dangerous fasclna
ton of his foreign enchantress. But
| the fascination had been too strong
! for him.
He had really meant no disloyalty
| to his absent wife when he first be
gan TO cultivate this chance acquaint
ance of the beach. But his wife was
| separated from him by half a cont
| nent. He had been loyal to hei
through three years OF absence
caused by a lung difficulty that Gem
PEELED her to live in Colorado, while
| he was tied down to the east by MS
business connections and the necessi,
/ ty of providing adequately for his
invalid wife.
He told himself now, that 1t was
FL H..