Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-01-12

for my impudent question, | have half
mind to let you see this-even at the
risk of your displeasure. Look there y
1t was quaint old kitchen dim,
shadowy. lighted only by the embcrs on
the hearth. Leaning against the stone
jamb of the great fireplace, with wea-
ry look upon her young face, and her
hands clasped dcspondingly, stood an
unmistakable Cinderella.
Cindy took in nothing at first but q
general idea of the power and pathos of
the picture, holding her breath for very
delight, while Mr. Alden watched her
eagerly. Her eye wandered over the
canvas, grasping detail after detail, un-
til at length. as if saving the best wine
for the last, it settled upon the dropping
figure in the corner. For a moment she
gazed silently then she uttered faint
exclamation, while the red blood fled
from her cheeks. and she burst INTO tears.
Cinderella's face was her own.
Forgive me /; oh, forgive me !" cried
Mr.. Alden, as he saw her agitation. Il
could not help it ! The name-and-
everything Indeed, indeed, l did not
mean to wound you. But the idea has
haunted me for weeks, and l had to
work it out. Tell me you are not hurt
NOT angry, Miss Cindy See will
tear the picture in shreds, if you say so !"
No, no - she cried, putting out her
hand to stop him. leave it as it is. |
do not care-I do not mind. But, Mr..
Alden, | shall find my godmother some
time-or shall make one for myself"
and before he could detain her she had
gone.
The next afternoon brought heavy
mail to Mr. Alden, and after tea he
strolled down to the bottom of the gar
den, where there was rustic summer
house with table and chair or two,
to look over the new monthlies. Present
ly Laura followed him, with her portfolio.
81 don't expect you want to see me
one bit" she said, throwing back her
long curls with a pretty, child-like toss.
mot now, when you've just got news
from home, and everything. But I've
come, nevertheless. | do so want you
to tell me what is the trouble with this
sketch. can't get it to suit me. Oh,
Mr.. Alden !" and she laid her white
hand upon his arm, appealingly, ''what
shall do when you 90 away, and | have
no one to help me You have added sc
much to my life %
He made no reply (ungallant fellow
that he was) as he took the little sketch
or design, from her hand, and glanced
at it carelesslY. But in moment he
lost his listless air, pushed back the hail
from his forehead, laid the bit of draw.
ing-paper on the table before him and
examined it carefully.
This design is remarkable for the
work of beginner, Miss Laura" ht
said at length. "You are a perpetua
surprise to me. You have such way Of
getting at the heart of things Wha
did you mean by this Put your though
in words"
He was surprised, puzzled. No maj
could be blind to Laura's beauty he
had enjoyed it, as he enjoyed lovel,
picture. But he had soon discovered
or thought he had, that with all her lit
tie gushes of sentiment, her artless can
dor, she had no more soul than the We
nus de Medici. Yet now for more thar
a month, she had brought to him, da,
by day, designs and sketches that be
trayed power of thought, depth 0
feeling and insight, pure womanlines
beyond his comprehension The execu
tion was often very faulty, but the pow
er was there undeniably.
"You meant something by this" b
went on, as she did not speak. "Yo
:, were not simply making picture.
u think | read your thought. But tell n
what it was
! Just then step sounded on the graz
el walk without. Laura hastily gathel
ed up her papers but before she coul
y reach the one Mr. Alden was examinin
= !, a sudden gust Of wind caught it, an
sweeping it outside the door, dropped
e at Cindy's feet
"That is mine DO not touch it
. cried Laura. But with quick start an
= an exclamation Of astonishment, Cind
stopped down and picked it up.
!. lit is mine, said she calmly, viii
= her form dilated and her eye kindled vii
sudden light. ut is mine. Whe
!, did you get. it Laura And what rig
j have you to show my pencilings to NJ
" Aldcn?"
- ''It is not yours--it Is mine, repea
! ed Laura. trembling like a leaf and pal
, id as a ghost Il drew it to-day th
very morning"
= cindy colOred painfully. She hi
- spoken involuntarily; but now 81
= shrank, with womanly sensitivenes
from exposing her cousin to Mr. Alder
) contempt.
nd let it pass. then" she said. Al