Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-30

"Have you seen anything she has done?7
asked Cindy. EaI
mo. And that's what strikes me as
being odd. Laura is SO unaccountably
modest all of sudden; puts on the shy
est airs and cries, 'Oh, no not for the
world Wait till have something better
TO show" It's something new for Laura"
"3ut you are in her room sometimes
when she takes her lessons ?" remarked
Cindy, with a question in her voice.
"Oh, Mr.. Alden does not teach like
drawing master. She Just sketches what
ever she pleases. and he criticises and
makes suggestions. She won't draw SO
much as straight line in his presence.
And he thinks Just lovely Of her-1 know
he does! She makes him think she is as
shrinking and sensitive as hare-bell.r lr
Elizabeth had her troubles, too, it
seemed. ...t....,
The next morning Mr.. Alden announced
that he was going off on a long tramp;
should probably be gone all day. Laura
took advantage OF his absence to closet
herself with her dreSsmaker; Elizabeth
locked herself into her room, and gave or
ders that she was on no account to be dis
turbed; aunt lilly went down street to
see friend and do some errands.
Now l have chance to give Mr.. Al
den's parlor thorough putting to rights"
said Cindy to herself. at has needed it
this long time And tying a handker-
chief over her head, she forthwith went to
work.
She was rubbing chairs and tables with
a hearty good will when the door sudden.
ly opened. asl
Mr.. Alden lifted his hat, while sud-
den flush crimsoned his forehead. Then
he stepped quickly into the room, and
took the duster from Cindy's hand.
~ beg your pardon" be said; ''but you
do me SO much honor. took care Of my
own study while was in college, and
can again. Let the dust gather an inch
deep, my lady abbess, before you don that
becoming white head gear another time in
behalf of lazy fellow like me- t#l.s
That would be fine housekeeping she
cried snatching off the handkerchief
and hiding it in her pocket while she re-
gained possession OF the tabooed duster.
"What made you come back, Mr.. Alden?
You were to be gone all day" ...f.Y.
Miss Cinderella he answered solemnly,
W HGclIu2 u Iuull llltO POSiliOuS, dUQ
to infict righteous judgment upon yousby
compelling you to sit still for half an hour.
while show you those" said he, unlock
ing portfolio of rare engravings
Cindy's eyes sparkled and her checks
flushed. Then she turned toward the door.
"But the dinner, Mr.. Alden! Il"
Dinner be-dispensed WITH" he said,
II want nothing but bowl of milk Con-
fess, now You did not think of dinner
till camel" =
She did not reply and stood there, with
her hand on the door-knob-a pretty pic
ture of irresolution.
mo dinner for me, he went on. Are
you fond of picturesP What shall | show
you? Figure pieces-landscapes? What
do you like best?"
''l-hardly know" she faltered. ~
have seen so few. Show me your own
work, Mr.. Alden: something You are do
ing now. | shall be sure to like that"
lie hesitated. glanced at her curiously,
half laughed. and then laid his hand on
the cloth thrown over an easel near the
window. g Ia
'Did you lift this?" he asked. .Did
you look at this picture p'
''Oh, no, nor she cried, coloring.
GLOW can you ask it, Mr.. Aldenp Indeed
| have looked at nothing that you did not
leave in plain sight"
His own face flushed.
This is no Blue Beards closet, Miss
Cindy, l should not have killed you II
you had looked. But to make amends for
my impudent question, have half mind
to let you see this-even at the risk Of
your displeasure. Look there!"
1t was quaint old kitchen; dim and
shadowy. lighted only by the emoers sa
the hearth. Leaning against the store
jamb of the great firaplace, with q weary
look upon her young ace, and her, hands
clasped despondingIy stood an unmistsk.