Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-09


you. karli'
"Of course not" he said shortly.
Now you will get married aud you
will he very. very happy. Aud. |, too
shall be happy. because | want you to
marry. and ! myself have chosen
sweet clever girl for you"
Exactly" Karl acquiesced dryiy.
And now let us think no more OF
H." Olga cried. her mood changing TO
one Of gayety.
She ran over TO the door and turned
and faced Karl, knocking loudly on the
panel.
Now for work. We have done
nothing" she said. Monsieur, I have
come to have my portrait painted"
Come In, madame" Karl said. bow
Ing gravely aud entering into her play
Good morning"
Il have come TO have my portrait
paifited," Olga said again.
Karl forgot the playing and exclaim
ed seriously:
"Ah. last night | made memory
sketch of you after ! got home. ]
have made many, very many. but now
see you differently"
WHY" Olga asked. startled again
| by his vehemence.
Yesterday ! saw the lines Of your
figure; today see your soul" he said
Yesterday you were a model: today
you are an Inspiration"
please, Karl: please, don't. We
agreed to end everything" she pleaded
at Is hard to end everything SO sud
denly"
Karl, my good friend. ! did wrong
In coming here" Olga sald. Now
that ! did come. let US work. Take
! yous colors and brush. We must get
through with II as soon as possible
"You are right. Olga; as soon az pos.
sible"
What shall do frst;" she asked.
Take of yonr hat and coat. please
Karl stepped toward her with out.
stretched hands as II TO help her. She
drew back. with little gesture Of up.
prehension.
You mustn't touch me-" she said.
As she brushed him Karl caught a
Whit Of fragrance from her hair that
was intoxicating.
DO you use perfume ON your hairY'
he asked. quite innocently.
Certainly not" she laughed.
"Oh, then, it is the natural perfume
of your hair! Pardon me; stood
too close to you"
Olga removed her hat and cloak. She
garding her intently.
"You seem to be studying my fea
lures" she said.
II know them by heart. each one"
he answered Il am thinking Of a
pose. You know your husband wished
half length in evening gown"
Yes, should have preferred q full
length In street costume"
Il agree with Herman. You must be
quick II is getting dark"
What shall | do:"
"Your waist You must take It OF.
which to select one for your shoulders.
| will go into the studio"
"Oh. Karl"'
Don't mind. | shall close the door
Oh, it Is showing terribly!' he added
as he moved toward the big studio.
Showing! Oh. Kari. can't we post
p6ne thisg don't feel well today
Tomorrow | could come and bring my
maid"
Certainly not. Your husband would
surely want to know why we did no
work today. Now | will leave you"
He left the ROOM closing the studio
doors behind him. Olga looked appre.
hensively about her. Some mysterious
presence seemed to Cypress her. She
fumbled with nerveless fingers at the
buttons of her waist.
"Oh, what follyw she cried to her.
self. What Is the matter with me"
Resolutely she set to work and drew
from her beautiful shoulders and
cleaning rounded arms the silken
waist that covered them. She turned
to get the shawl. and the waist fell to
the floor as she recoiled, with a shrek
| VI lclIOi, nun. al tudt oiVst
slowly from the depths Of the big arm
chair.
Where there had been no human be
ing an instant before Olga saw tall
strange looking man. He was In con
ventional afternoon attire, save tina,
his walstcoat was red, In sharp con
tract to the somber black Of his frocl
coat. His hair was black. His up
ward pointing eyebrows were black
and his eyes shone like dull burning
Jumps Of coal. His face was like 8
mask, matching his immaculate liner
b. wilderness. 1t was cynical In its ex
preston and almost sinister rs be
bowed low. with his hands folded ovel
his breast, and said in low. musica
voice:
Pardon me, madame; think yor
dropped something"
He stopped and picked up the silker
waist which had fallen from Olga.
hands. AS he held 1t out to her sh'
drew back in horror.
TCantinuad navt waak