The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-05-08


with somewhat forced laugh, IL
answer to Ethel's glance of inauir.
round the studio.
"Bolted?"
There was surprise, anger ant
CONSERVATION in the girls voice.
There was no necessity for that.
she remarked coldly.
"You misunderstood me-" inter
rupted Steadman. "Dick has only
run down to Manhattan until after
your decision"
Poor Dick" murmured Ethel to
herself.
Indeed" she said aloud, with a
contemptuous little pout.
| Her good nature returned and she
chatted gayly.
Now" said Jack Steadman. going
over to the easels and laying his
hand on the curtain, will you choose
between these two pictures? Ethel
he said, turning to her aunt, but look
ing at the girl, "has promised to
marry the man whose portrait of her.
Sell sue CHOOSES.
The old lady bowed, and Ethel
murmured an inaudible assent.
Steadman drew aside the curtain
with hand that shook, despite his
utmost endeavors.
A simultaneous burst of admira-
tion broke from both ladies.
They are beautiful" cried the
elder lady. Look at that one,
Ethel! My dear child, it is a living
likeness of your own sweet SELF"
And Steadman's face grew gray,
for she pointed to Halston's picture.
Far too beautiful for me, aun.
tie," whispered the girl, for once
abashed.
But Steadman, looking at her,
thought bitterly that 1t was not love.
ly enough, and his breath came short
as the shadowy thoughts of few
moments since took shape.
Which do you choose?" he asked
her in curious, hard voice.
There was a moment of awful sus.
pense, then Ethel answered low and
hesitatingly:
Il ought to choose that one,"
pointing to the unhappy artists own
painting, 'for 1t Is less beautiful, and,
therefore, must be more like me. But
OH" with sudden rapture, Il cannot
help but choose this! 1t is lovely!"
Lovely" chimed in her aunt.
And look at that rose, dear! Have
you ever seen anything so exquisite
ly painted?"
1T is like the one l gave Dick the
other night" faltered the girl.
There was a flush ON her cheeks
and light in her eyes.
Eyes, it is the same," said Stead.
man quietly. Il begged it of Dick
to put in my. picture. Its color was
so perfect"
Your picture?"
There was note of despair in the
girls voice.
Yes; mine"
Had either lady looked they would
have observed the ghastly pallor of
Steadman's face and the tense set of
his mouth.
But the old lady was still lost in
admiration of the painting, and Ethel
had turned aside to hide the sudden
clouding of her eyes.
Come, Ethel, we must be going"
said her aunt, and she shook hands
warmly with Steadman, saying: I
congratulate you heartily on your
great success and also on winning SO
sweet wife. And you, Ethel, are a
fortunate girl to have won so gifted
a husband"
Age had dulled her eyes. She did
not notice that anything was amiss
with the girl, and neither of them no.
ticed the man.
Goodbye, Ethel"
There was an exultant gleam in
his eye. Mechanically the girl held
out her hand to her future husband.
Her lips moved, but no sound es-
capped them, and with slight inclin-
alton of her head she followed her
aunt.
"a telegram, sir"
Thanks"
For a moment Dick Halston held
the fiimsy envelope in his fingers,
turning it this way and that, dread
ing to open it.
What a coward l ami" he NUT
tered, and with sudden resolution
he tore 1t open.
At first he was only able to grasp
the one word: Yours" Then he
read further:
Come to the studio at once. I'M
portant."
Jack, old man! Jack, where are
you? Where are your"
1t was Halston's voice calling, as
he looked round the empty studio.
But he received no answer. Then his
eyes fell upon letter addressed to
himself in Steadman's handwriting.
He opened it, wondering what it
Dick" he read, forgive me! The
temptation was too great and l fell.
claimed your picture as nina Your