He paused before Tresorier at length, and taking the soft face between his hands, turned it towards the solitary ray of light. What glittered on the points of the fallen eyelashes? tears!

"Good night," he said, abruptly, yet in a tone of deep

emotion.

VII.

SUMMER DAYS.

FELIX DANA's mind was occupied with plans regarding his friend, and they served to while away the days that had grown strangely wearisome to him. He had thought, on his return to New York, that he would open his house again, and fill it with choice society; that all the æsthetic delight which wealth could afford, should be his. And if Love, that divine visitant, fluttered to his arms, he would hold her in so tender a clasp that she should be won to stay. Whatever of bitter resolve had been in the old life was all gone now, and he thanked Heaven for it.

To a man in his position success was certain. With his attractions he could not fail of being courted and flattered. Women brought out their richest gifts for him. Men of genius deferred to his fine taste, and correct judgment. He had looked forward to years of tranquillity.

All this was suddenly changed. He told himself that it was foolish; but the thought grew upon him—he would leave his native land again - become the companion of this friend, who had grown so dear in a brief while. He could not be satisfied to relinquish him after this short acquaintance, so fascinating in every respect. He needed some love or some duty that should call forth all that was best and noblest, as nothing had since his father's death. Claude's utter lack of experience would set him astray when he tried the world; and who would be so gentle and considerate a friend as the man who held for him a brother's purest affection? He would leave him, as now, with the widest possible liberty, but so sway him with that occult

power, that he would come to him in any need, whether material, or, far higher, spiritual. If there were no Mrs. Tresorier, if Claude were free to work out some brilliant future, and if he could absorb his whole life as it were, take him to his heart and home, shield him not merely from want, but from compulsory work, that must wear his energies, and chafe the fine soul!

And then he thought of Mrs. Tresorier's promised explanation. If she had not said, "We are going to Europe," he might have fancied it Claude's intention, or her wish, to be left behind. Whatever infatuation her bewildering face had caused at first, had perished now, burned itself to dust and ashes. The disappointment might have developed the artist's soul, but he shuddered at the vision of days and nights of agony the sensitive spirit must have endured before it reached this state of comparative calm, that was hardly less pitiful than despair. Whatever alleviation was in his power, Claude should have. If he could not work himself, he would bring straws of gold and silver for the bricks in the other's temple, whereby he might ascend to fame.

On the morrow, Tresorier received a note concerning the picture, which Dana wished sent by the messenger, if the artist would intrust him with the business part of the arrangement. The delicacy touched Claude, and he had no desire to refuse. Accompanying the note was a basket of choice cut flowers for Mrs. Tresorier. He had made the selection according to his estimate of her taste. Wide blown tropical flowers, in richest hues, and others whose powerful fragrance steeped the senses in delicious languor. She took them with the eagerness habitual to her, and spent hours in arranging them.

66

"Your picture is sold," announced Dana, a few evenings later. Tresorier, you are fated to be rich and famous. Do not turn to fortune the cold shoulder."

"It is your kindness;" and Claude stood with downcast eyes.

A light laugh rippled through the hall, and Dana was not unwilling thus to be interrupted.

"I must see Mrs. Tresorier," he said; "I have my favor to ask."

Claude summoned her and the child. He stretched out his hands immediately to Dana.

"You see he remembers me?" and Dana flushed with gratified pride.

"You are determined to make me jealous," she said, gayly. "Ariel has talked of you continually."

As Dana took him, he glanced into the fathomless eyes. What made this child, of all others, appeal so mysteriously to his heart? Not the mere fact of relationship with one for whom he held an unusual regard, for he had been won by the face before this fact was made evident. What far-reaching chord of human sympathy brought him into close contact with this little life? It must have a peculiar destiny. The soul, clothed in this almost unearthly flesh, must be exquisitely organized. How delightful it would be to watch its unfolding. If he could have Claude and the child!

Why did he wish to shut that lovely woman out of the future? He had not the slightest personal aversion to her. She seemed, indeed, one of those weird psychological studies that invariably prove fascinating. For he could fancy her luring one on and on with her manifold charms, never palling with her infinite variations, never wearying with her piquancies, yet always standing so aloof that the gulf between, of something more than propriety, was distinctly manifest. But he could not dismiss the thought that she had in some way wronged Claude, and he was nervously quick to resent what his friend bore so patiently.

She was delighted to grant him the from an ebullition of motherly vanity.

picture, but it was more They discussed drapery,

and position, now and then appealing to Claude, who set them right when they were astray upon any point.

"I hope

Some of

"Doesn't he look unusually pale?" Dana asked. you did not feast him continually upon those flowers. them were rather too powerful for such an organization."

"No; and yet it was singular that he should desire the white, or the pale, fragrant ones. I confess I luxuriated in the gorgeous colors. You don't know what a comfort they were

to me!"

"I'm glad if they were. And it has come into my mind, that since my carriage is at the door, I don't see why you shouldn't avail yourselves of it for a pleasant drive. It would be a favor to me, and a possible benefit to the rest."

"I should be delighted!" Mrs. Tresorier exclaimed, eagerly, then glanced at Claude. Dana raised his eyes sufficiently to intercept the look, but it was unintelligible to him.

"Come, then," he said, with a gesture that not only persuaded but led, and overruled any weak misgiving. Certainly, if it had been some plan of his arranged beforehand, he betrayed no consciousness of it.

Mrs. Tresorier made herself ready in a few moments, and returned with Ariel's hat in her hand, as he had not shown the slightest disposition to leave Dana. He carried him down stairs, thrilled by the touch of the soft baby arm that clung to his neck.

The elegant barouche, with its rich appointments, was most tempting. The beautiful grays, slightly mottled with a darker tint, arched their graceful necks, and pricked up their sensitive ears at the sound of their master's voice, assaying to glance around with their large, almost human eyes.

"What magnificent animals!" Mrs. Tresorier exclaimed. "How can you help loving them, Mr. Dana?” "I don't try to help it; and he smiled. 66

choicest favorites."

They are my

After seating his guests he exchanged a word with the driver, and the horses, impatient to start, were off at a nod. If he had thought Mrs. Tresorier lovely before, he wondered now at the