The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-05-07

the pattern in the store, and chose it out of
all the rest l always did like morning-glo-
ries.
But they fade quick, said Frank, taking
two or three restless turns, and then coming
back to the freside.
oh, Dick' exclaimed Gertie, with one of
her coaxiug smiles. Speaking of pictures
just reminds me of some thing You haven't
much to do to-morrow-you know you have
not, and why won't you take me around to
the different picture galleries? You promis-
ed me the first leisure day, and haven't seen
Bierstadt's new painting yet nor the other
one that everybody is talking about.
demurred little, thinking of some pos
sihle business emergencies.
4 am sure day out will do you good
said Gertie, getting in earnest. Seeing
beautiful things improves people, and l am
sure we ought to want to be improved.
She said this with philosophc air that
overcame me, and | consented, IN my heart
| willingly enough, to 20 art-hunting the next
day, always providing that the sun shone.
asked Frank Esterhazy if he wouldn't join us
and Gcrte seconded the invitation warmly
L don't know much about pictures, he said
smiling at her, but day with such friends
will be pleasure in ITSELF l have business
! trips to make in two or three directions to
prosecute some inquiries, but Friday is an
unlucky day to start on u journey, they say:
so believe will stop over twenty.fOur hours
and 60 sightseeing with you. l don't know
but | am beginnnspto be superstltious.
Il don't see why Friday should be unucky,'
sald Gertie lightly. 1T is really Venus-Day,
you know tho day of Love
| So the next morning ut ten clock, Ester
hazy dropped into my Office and few mo.
ments after Gertie put in an appearance
| looking like sweet little daisy | took my
daisy on my arm and away we went, the three
of u.s. A few blocks off lay the building oc-
cuped by the School of Design, and remem-
bered that visitors were free TO enter in at
| this hour. | mentioned it 10 Gprtie.
Then let's go in there first she exclaimed
enthusiastically, and we shall see all their
original drawings. They make some of the
most exquisite designs you ever saw, people
tell me, and there are some young women
; there who have a wonderful talent
! Anything to kill time, said Esterhazy; SO
| in we went.
There were not many of the art students
present that day, aud of those who were,
very few seemed to notice us. We walked
quietly behind some OF the desks, glancing
over shoulders at the exquisite creations
growing beneath busy fingers. Then one
of the teachers gave us the privilege of look
ing at the portfolios of finished designes. -
That was really treat. There were stately
Corinthian capitals, with the noble acanthus,
lriezes, and designs for church windows;
| there were copies of antiques, studies of still
| life, lovely taucies for vases aud for silver;
and finally we came to what was really the
most practical folio, containing an immense
number of designs for carpets and for wall
paper.
.These explained the teacher, ARE done
| by such young ladies as wish to earn money
at once for their work. Copies of the best
are frequently taken by manufacturers, who
pay literally.
| We turned them over with some interest
for here, as Gertie who had been reading
speech on political economy, remarked.
woman took the rank of producers, instead of
mere consumers. Esterhazy politely exam
| ined them with us.
Why Dlckr suddenly exclaimed Gertie,
arresting the turning leaf, Just look! Here
is the very original of our morning-glory
wallpaper! And see how beautifully it is
done;' every touch of the crayon was inspira-
ton"
'Yes, remarked the teacher; that is quite
favorte pattern the manufacturer tells me.
1t was done two years ago by poor young
| girl who had but recently entered the school.
She has executed some very fine things since
! then
Where is she?' asked Esterhazy, in an un-
| steady voice, and as | glanced at him in sur
Prise, | saw that his eyes were luminous with
| feeling.
The girl Eleanor Holt? 1t is not her
| hour yet; she comes at eleven replied the
teacher, simply.
Il knew her once; should like to see her,
said Frank, whose bronzed face was fairly
growing pale with excitement.
Certainly, sir, said the obliging teacher;
! 'yonder is our reception room. If you will
take seats there, will speak to Miss Holt
when she comes.
Gerte aud followed Frank to the recep-
! ton-room in mute amazement, but Gertie S
womaEly iDstlnces were on the alert, aud she
gave me meaning, triumphant glance as we
took our seats. Frank, evidently in the ut
most suspense, took out his watch; the hand
pointed to eleven.
i am afraid We are in the way whispered
Gertie in my ear.
A moment more, and there entered a young
lady-a young lady with sweet, shy face and
broodirg brown eyes She did not know
who wished 10 sea her, and glanced inquiring-
ly at Gertie and me, and then at Esterhasy.
He looked Ike a man in trance.
Nellie, he cried, reaching out his arms.
'Oh, Frank!
Gerlie aud | turned short about, and went
back into the drawing hail. where we turned
over portfolios for a full half hour, and did
not grudge it. At the end OF that time
Frank beckoned to US from the receptions
room, and we joined him there, to be intro
duced to the dearest girl IN the world.
I'D lost her, you see, said Frank radiant
ly, but she shan't escape me again.
questioned whether she would ever try TO-
she looked so very blushing and happy
Gertie was in rapture and kissed Miss Holt
on the instant.
Tine morning-glories did it, Frank wen
on to explain. i never knew much abou
, pictures anyway, but Nellie always used t
be drawing, and the gery last time saw he
she was sketchieg morning-glories
So much for the luck OF Venus Day!
never saw more cheerful fellow than Franl