———
BY MRS. CAROLINE H. BUTLER.
———
CHAPTER I.
“Each ambushed Cupid I’ll defy—
In cheek, or chin, or brow!”
Exclaimed Auburn, at the same time casting an admiring glance upon his easel, where a young and lovely face peeped forth from the canvas with such a roguish, bewitching look, as seemed to laugh to scorn the bold defiance of the young painter.
“No! painting shall be my mistress,” he continued, “my pallet and brush my defence against the witcheries of the fair; for me there is no peril in a lady’s eyes; my heart is an impregnable castle—no admittance there, fair lady.”
“Most wisely and heroically said!” exclaimed a young girl, who had stood for some moments at the elbow of the artist unobserved, now suddenly bursting into a merry laugh, and placing herself before him. “Bravo, Harry, you are, indeed, a hero!”
“Pshaw! Kate, who would have thought you so near!” cried Auburn, reddening with vexation.