Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-04

When did you see George last?"
Last night He was here till eleven"
and where did he go when he LEFT? -
ITO his hotel, suppose" my uncle said, look
! ing as was natural, a little surprised at my
question. Hes staying at the Metropole, you
know"
Evidently George, OH parting with my uncle
and Daphne the previous night, had given nc
hint of his intended visit to Dover, but meant
it to be secret. was in dilemma. ] hesitat-
ed to tell my uncle all that had happened for
George might have very good reasons for his
mysterious journey, and reasons requiring Sc
crecy to be observed about it.
| l went upstairs to change my travelling suit for
a garb more becoming the office of best man, and
then joined my uncle in the large drawing-room
where the guests staying with him for the we'd
ding were gathered.
1--WE go to the church from here" my uncle
said. "You must have had all the you
want, and if you go in the first carriage you will
be in plenty of time. Let me introduce you to
some OF the guests"
| The most noticeable of these young man
who had been watching me with curiously at
tentive gaze. From the profusion of his dark
hair and certain air of detachment from his
surroundings, I Judged him to be genius of
some sort. / looked nquiringly at my uncle who
Angelo Vasari.
"a gentleman" he remarked, "to whom you
owe some thanks"
"Indeed?" l said with some surprise, for 1
had never heard of him before. "We, that is
la debt L always ready to pay. But why am
in Mr.. Vasaris debt?"
Daphne sent you a portrait of George the
other day
"She did"
at was Mr.. Vasari who painted it."
"Really?" / said, grasping his hand. Then
you must accept my congratulations as well as
my thanks. The picture is gem of art.
After martyrdom of handshaking and formal
conversation with the various persons to whom
my uncle insisted presenting me, | dIifted
back to the ottoman where the artist was sit
ting, surrounded by a small circle of admirers to
whom he showing portfolio of sketches.
''Ah, here is Mr. Willard he said, looking at
me as if desrous of attracting my attention.
"These sketches may perhaps interest him.
Vasari smiled mechanically. and seemed to be
searching in his portfolio for something he had
"a difficulty in finding
"Ah. here they are! Twelve sketches-heads.
Friends of mine I think Mr.. Willard will rec
ognize a college friend among the number"
surveyed them all critically, but failed to
identify any of them. Looking up from my
task | was startled to see Angeles eyes fixed on
nv face with an expression that could not have
waiting for the verdict of the jury.
81 don't see any one I know here"
The artists face relaxed from its set express
SION My answer had pleased him.
But do I really know one of these persons?'
exclaimed.
"Eh-well, you say not" replied the artist
with a most provoking smile Il will take your
word for it,"
] had no leisure then to consider the matter
further, for more pressing matters came to the
'front.' My uncle, who had been absent from the
room, came in and sought me with troubled
look upon his face.
Here's pretty pass, Frank he cried
"Stephen'-Stephen was his head-coachman-
"says it is impossible for the horses to make
their way through this thick snow, and [ sup.
pose he's right as it must be two feet deep. If
we cannot 90 to the church, the church must
come to us. The marriage take place in this
just as well within the walls
Of st. Cvprians Let us send to st. Cyprian's |
and ask Captain Willard and the Vicar to come
here.
He hurried off, and in few moments came
back with Daphne on his arm.
She greeted with so radiant smile that
the spectators might have taken me for the
bridegroom.
So deep was my emotion at seeing her once
MORE and on so dramatic an occasion, that obliv-
ious of all my surroundings, 1 could do nothing
but gaze at her with an earnest and wistful look
"Why, Frank, have you been in Germany so
long that you have forgotten your native Ian
guage? Speak to him in German, papa, and ask |
him if he is glad to me-"
| stammered out few words of greeting The |
happiness of seeing her again was too great to
allow of conventional conversation and / drew
back while the development of the situation was
being explained to her.
"Let George be sent for she replied. 81
will do Just he wishes"
Meantime Daphne with fine courage went
about among the guests, as if nothing unusual
we're happening. Presently she up to me.
Daphne was her old sweet self, and chatted
as freely as if we two were alone, and sitting
once more at breakfast in my uncles old home.
"You are looking very pale, Frank" she said
when did you leave the Fatherland"
"I am not sure that Germany has improved
YOU" Daphne said looking at me critically, but
never mind that now. You haven't seen my
Wedding gifts They are in the next room.
Papa am going to show Frank my presents"
And holding her long train with hand
Daphne rested the other on my arm, and con-
lucted me beneath some heavy hangings to the
next apartment.
'SYou see this picture? 1t is Mr.. Vasari's gift
the work of his own hand. The Betrayal of
Ariadne' he calls it. Don't you think she bears
, semblance to me?-her eyes and hair are just
;he color of mine"
I was somewhat surprised to see painting
which, in my Judgment, rose lar above medi-
,crity.
NV comprehension of the work was aided by
ts author, who had followed us from the draw.
ngroom. "The picture" he said with curious
mile, '%is sort of allegory to intimate that Sec
md love is preferable to the first"
Daphne gave an indignant little gasp at these
words and elevated her pretty eyebrows.
'I don't believe second love is better than the
irst do you, Frank?"
Had Daphne absolutely forgotten the cause