The Donaldsonville chief., 1906-08-25

Like @ Gentleman
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By J. A. TIE any

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i beg your pardon, sir; but am
in what you call a difficulty. 1t is in
the manner of being ridiculous
shall think SO afterwards; but at
present it shall embarrass me.
came here alone, to enjoy the cool
breeze Of the lake; and have lost
nay little purse. Not much was there
in it, true; but I cannot walk the
seven miles to the city back. You
look like gentleman, sir. That is
why l trust you to tell you my trou-
bIe"
And she looked like lady, in her
neat white linen suit, with tan shoes,
sailor hat and dainty lace parasol.
She was pretty, too-very pretty, and
reasonably young; she could not be
more than 90. She spoke with de-
cided foreign accent; but her voice
was soft and sweetly yibratory.
Il give the gentleman my card, SO
he will know me, who / am; and
will send him the car fare through the
post Office, if he will give me his ad-
dress"
81 wasn't thinking of that" he said.
with a smile. Il viii 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 pIeasure-seekers, and
were soon seated in 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 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 bade her goodnight"
NO." 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."
81 paint miniature for SIS, sir-a
gentleman's. Some ladies give me
more. "
"And why not gentleman?'
/ Because cannot take it 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, fo1
before the miniature was finished the
sittings had been numerous and pro
tracted. When she handed the picture
to him, he held it in his hand for a
minute, gave her the SIS, and said:
Nov, really, don't know what
am going to do with this. Would you
care to keep it-Marie?"
1t 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 it.
But 1t is such good, beautiful
face" she said, with another blush;
| "and you are so kind to me. Z
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 had
hired 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 OF
| 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 fascina.
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 aequaint-
! ance of the beach. But his wife was
separated from him by half CONT.
nent. He had been loyal to her
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 his
| business connections and the necessi-
ty of providing adequately for his
invalid wife.
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