The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-02-23
4Could papa have sent it, cousin Pattyy"

the guitar was of American manufacture, in
laid with pearl and must have cost at least
thirty dollars. Esther listened TO our conjcct-
ures in silence until she saw that we failed to
reach any conclusion, when she suggested with
her half smile;
Jessie, is it not such gift as might be cX.
pected from your cousin, Mr.. Bartlctt?'
tom? of course il was how stupid in us y
said Jessie. Then she regarded Esther curl
ously for moment as if some new thought
had struck her, and set the guitar by the piano
with serious expression upon her face that
Ideepcncd when Toms unexpected arrival made
Esther's slender fingers tremble upon the en-
craving that the girls were examining together.
Couldn't get around in time for supper,
cousin Patty" said Tom Us carclessly as if 1t
were only last night that he had broken his
promise, instead OF two weeks ago. Thought
If | came to dinner it might suit you just as
we'll"
He very frankly expressed his pleasure in
meeting with our guest-indced | thought he
made more free than he would have done had
he not felt my eye upon him.
have been trying ever since that dinner to
anayzc its charm. Mr.. Hayden was home,
and that always adds to our happiness; but
there was something more this time. | cannot
remember that anything was said either very
witty or profound; only that the group seem
ed to be possessed of spirit of subducd play
fulness and an electric sympathy with each
others thought that made us express ourselves
with happy ease sure of attention and appre-
citation. forgot to watch Tom, and Tom for
got to watch me in the sweet charity Of our
abandonment TO the moments pleasure; Is
ther responded to Jcssic's gayety with surpris
ing vivacity, while papa smiled indulgentIy
upon the youthful overflow that has never car
ried his heart upon its current since his idol
was broken and laid away until his season of
discipline shall end. While waiting for dessert,
Jessie took occasion to thank Tom frankly for
the gift, and Tom as frankly acknowledged it
as Installing Jessie not to be too grateful as
he intended to take full payment in music.
! He never seems To care much for the piano,
and suspect that his admiration for the harp
and guitar is due more to the grace of figure
called forth by those instruments than to the
sound produced. He has quick eye for beau
ty of form, and | can imagine that the languid
grace of Esther's motion must be perpetual
feast to him
After dinner Jessie took the invalid away
for rest, while gave Mary some assistance
in the Kitchen so that Tom was left to his own
devices almost hoped that he would take
his departure; but when we gathered again in
the parlor, there he was, bending over Esthcr's
sketch, seemingly lost in II revcry. Esther
studied his face awhile, and asked with that
charming sidelonG glance Of hers which Jessie
declared she learned at the easel:
MAY not hear what you are thinking, Mr.
Bartlct?"
Toms face flushed slightly, but he turned
with that ready ease which Il man acquires
who has long been accustomed to the respect
accorded to the posscssor of II full purse
81 would rather be excused from the task Of
finding words for my fleeting thoughts, which
are not worth the trouble"
All, DUl W. uldht uil 'llblt w tllN HdhN VI
friend am brave enough to hear the worst,
but not to imagine it; and your face did look
SO solemnly critical
"a was not critcsing your sketch, my friend, !
tom uttered the last two words in Il way that
seemed to me like taking an unwarrancd adj
vantage of her light rcmark) which Is gem
in its way but is it not woman's way--light
graceful, pleasing? | was wondering if the
grand or tragic IN art is possible to II woman
,Jcssie's head drew back impatiently, but Is
thcr nestled against the cushions with sigh
of satisfaction for the discussion that was sure
to come
at depends SO much on the bcholdcrs idea
of what is grand or tragic, Mr. Bartlett
confess that had u strong sense of the tragic
while painting that worm on the rosebud yon-
der II Is SO natural for it to be there that one
hardly gives it thought; and don't you see,
that naturalncss is the very tragedy of it:'
"There Is your woman's way IN argument
again. admire your playfulness, but should
like TO see you in earnest for oncc-that is,
willing TO turn the earnest side of your nature
out for observation"
Now that speech opened Jcssic's eyes. 1t
was not the remark of II casual acquaintance
but showed very plainly that this was not their
first discussion since the Thanksgiving dinner.
There was IA faint color ON Esthcr's check rs
she replied:
But am in earnest sir, terribly in earnest.
can see as much real tragedy in George Eli
OTIS Armgart as in Shakespeare'S most heart
rending combnation-and not only in the
thwarted ambition of the heroine but most ap-
pcaling in the dumb lfsacriticc of the hum
bier woman. Just rs the importance of her
life 10 her, individually, was ignored by her
mistress, SO the tragedy of thousands Of lives
is mt this moment overlooked by those who
hold fhp pnvnr ~ tG.ir hand.