The Morris County chronicle., 1906-11-06
BROKEN COURTsHIP


Out of the shadows If the garden
two people came into the moonlight
and leaned over the little chain that
encircled the small fountain into whose
basin a marble Hebe continually emp
tied her ever brlmming cup.
They were not unlike, these two.
Both were spirituelle; both were dark:
both were romantic. The tie of blood
was between them, for they were
cousins. though, as the Scotch say,
''faraway cousins" and bearing differ
ent names, They had been brought
up under one roof, and Lena Michel's
mother had been all the mother the lit
tie orphan, Henri Kieber. knew.
ut is cruel Of grandpa she said.
1T is very cruel, Henri. These old
people think only Of money Why can
they not let us have peace, when we
could be SO happy7 1t is such an alb
surd idea-you and to marry each
other! We are like brother and sis
ter. Nothing can change that"
'But we are not brother and sister"
said he, and even first cousins marry.
have been thinking that
"Give me a kind kiss, Brother Hen
H." said she, "and never, never speak
Of this absurdlty again. AS for marry
ing, | shall never marry any one. Why
should when detest the thought?'
Henri gave little sigh.
IT shall never marry either, Cousin
Lena" said he; sbut, you see, we are
not brother and sister You can't make
it so by saying so.''
Then he kissed her, and they walked
back into the house, where Grandpapa
Kieber and Granduncle Michel had
just settled the matrimonial prospects
Of these two young cousins to their
own satisfaction. The result of the
young peoples rebellion was quarrel.
The end Of all this was that one fine
morning Henri Kieber found himself
turned out into the world to seek his
fortune, and long ere his cousins black
eyes were opened upon the dawn he
had left Munich and his furious rela-
tives behind him. From that day moth
ing was heard of him by his friends
in Munich for many long year.
The old people were unforgivlng.
Grandfather Kieber died and left all
his money to Lena, who had already
refused two excellent matches.
She Travelled two years and heard
nothing Of her cousin Henri and at
last found herself In Paris.
Lena Michel spent many hours with
her eyes fixed on painted faces that
she never saw for the living face that
haunted her, but one day she awoke to
wondrous interest in a small picture
which hung In small dealers gallery
in which she found herself.
1t was a simple scene. A moonlit
garden, the distance dying into unde-
fined shadows, a fountain into which
Hebe emptied her cup and by the
fountains brim youth and q young
girl 1t was the garden Of her grand
fathers OLD house at Munich. And this
was more than chance. For that was
Henri and surely that black haired
girl was not unlike herself
us this picture for saIe?" she asked
the dealer.
He shrugged his shoulders.
II think the artist is mad" he said.
'This is the first picture any one has
wanted to buy and he refuses to sell It.
Perhaps a price sufficient win tempt
him, but IL give his address the lady
will remember my commission
Lena Michel stepped into her car
riage and soon, followed by her maid,
climbed the stairs Of dingy dwelling
and raped upon the door that bore the
word "AteIier" upon It.
In moment a man with long
beard, who held palette in his hand,
opened the door for her and stood re-
garding the apparitlon Of a closely
yelled lady attended by her maid with
some surprise.
II speak to the painter Of the picture
at MS" said the Fraulein Michel, sthe
garden and fountain. desire to buy it
at any price.
"Afadame,'' said the artist, II regret
to say that picture is not to be sold"
"But | must have It" said the lady.
II am rich-anythlng- -any price"
II am poor" said the artist. "but 1t
has no price"
Listen, sir" said the lady. TT is
more than picture that want; it is
"a remipiseence. It's like IA place 1
know. beg for 1t. implore you to
sell to to me-"
Madame" said the artist, II see you
have heart. will speak plainly.
Long ago stood with the only woman
ever loved beside that fountain-a
fountain In an old garden In Munich.
was young idiot. l did not even
know my own heart, but / know 1t
now. / have known 1t for years. One
day the memory Of the spot and Of the
hour returned to me as II by magic. /
painted the picture In few hours. |
shall never see her again. Long since
she has become the wife Of one she
loves well, no doubt. but III shall new
er love any other SO must keep her
picture; / must You see that, ma
dameT
And as he spoke Lena Michel knew
Henri Kieber, knew him despite the
flowing beard and all the changes of
twelve long years
And as he ceased she threw back her
veil and held both of her hands toward
him.
"Henrip' she sighed Henri! Oh,
Henri. do you not know meY' And
4. = -. = 1.