Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-05-03
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.

and Oxford, should fancy" said Jerome,
sulkily.
"Oh, but the modern story is far more
wonderful than the classic" cried Stat
ford mischievously.
Tell it to Penrhyddyn," shouted Le
land.
well, go ahead don't care" said
Jerome, throwing himself back in his
chair.
About five years ago." began Stat
ford jerome planned one of those won
derful pictures before which the Magi
of the Academy are always to fall in
PROSTATE worship, and never do. The sub
ject was to be Circe, but the difficulty
was to find a model. After a long and
vain search for the ideal of his minds
eye, he was about to give it up in despair,
when, one evening, towards dusk, while
strolling, he caught sight of young gfl
with that half-bewildered look of curos-
1ty which denotes the visitor from bucolic
regions. His heart leaped up with big
thump. Golden hair, in showers of wavy
ringets; dark eyes, fall of witchery
every feature exquisite-it was Crce her
self He stood spellbound. After few
seconds, the girl turned round and caught
his glance. A slight blush mounted to her
cheek, as she slowly moved away. Her
figure was petite and exquisitely formed
her dress, though exceedingly plain, was
graceful and elegant her manner, as far
as he could judge, although coquettish
and enticing, had something in 1t that
checked familiarity"
Inin
/ had been so possessed by the idea of my
picture, had so minutely impressed upon
my mind the kind of model | required,
that, having accidentally stumbled over
the very thing, | was irresistibly impelled
to follow her. Mr. Stafford, however, had
better finish the story, now he has be-
gun it,"
"Circe finally paused for a moment.
and looked about her with an expression
of uncertainty. Jerome, who followed only
a few PAGES behind, stopped too. You
may imagine his delight upon seeing the
girl come towards him, with the evident
purpose of addressing him.
Pardon me, sir, she said, in the most
silvery of tones, and with timid look
In her eyes; but am in the right direc-
tl0n Tor OXtOrd street!
Yes but it is cross way, and diff
cult for stranger to find. am walking
in that direction and if you will permit
me, ! will accompany you jerome spoke
eagerly but deferentially.
''She cast a quick glance from under
her long, dark lashes, and then, with a
sweet smile, said, very gently, L thank
you very much, SIR
jerome used to protest that that
glance went through his heart like fire. AS
they walked along she told him something
of her history. Her name was Katie
Doran; she was a cergyman's daughter
her father was a hard, harsh man, and,
unable to endure the iron rule of home,
she had run away, and taken shelter at
the house of distant relation. she was
trying to get pupils she was a good mu-
sician, but, alas what chance had an
unknown country girl In this great world
of London?
"Jeromc's hopes began to rise, but he
hardly knew how to explain his wishes.
SO, screwing up his courage to the stick
ing place. he explained to her, in some
what incoherent language, that he was an
artist that he had conceived certain
picture, but had sought in vain for a face
lovely enough to embody it, until he had
met her. Would she-might he-could
ne ask her to give him a sitting? She
might be assured of being treated with
every respect; might bring relative with
her.
"The reference to her beauty made her
blush with pleasure, and, after a slight
hesitation, she consented to visit his
studio the next morning
The moment she found herself in Ok
ford street, she bade him good night, and
would not hear of his accompanying her
further; and so quickly did she disappear
among the crowd that he almost instantly
lost sight of her.
"The next morning faithful to her
promise, she came to Jeromes studio, and
alone. One morning did not suffice our
artist; a second, a third did not com.
plete his sketch. Jerome was in love
and it was such case of spoons that he
actually proposed marriage to her.
"She certainly bewitched him. Well
gentlemen" continued Stafford, "affar.
went on thus for about month The
marriage day was fixed. One afternoon
Jerome left her in his studio while h,
went away to purchase some particular
color he required. He was absent exactl,
half an hour. When he returned Circ,
had vanished-not only the living Circe
but the pictured Circe also, with ever!
conveniently portable article of value tha
was at hand"
"And you have never seen her since :?
inquired Arthur, who had listened to tn
story with great interest.
Never" answered Jerome replyin
for himself; nor my picture either"
"But how about her relation near Ok
ford street, What part did she com
from-what inquiries did you make?"
'She never would let me know wher
she lived; which, in my blind infatuatior
imputed to some family reason, povert,