The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-09-13

sketch of his own face with critica
calmness. .|.
"It is extremely well done," ht
said at last, "and again ask, who
taught you to draw 80 wellp
Cherry's cheeks were flushed
with shame and yexatiOn.
81 took a few lessons in drawing
two years ago."
"YOu are q real artist"
A sudden light broke over the
girls soul, like u rift of sunshine
The lovely gray eyes filled with
radiance.
ado you think could paint a
picture I"
Mr.. Terrence looked down into
the eager, young face and smiled.
ayes, think you could. Have
you ever tried I"
"No, not anything worthy of a
passing glance"
swell, l want you to paint one
this summer. YOu are no genius
child, but you have that which is
sometimes better; you have great
talent"
There was a new beauty in Cher
ry's face after that--tbe beauty of
hope. These few kindly words had
broken the band that held her soul
and set it free.
So Cherry turned her room into
a studio. No one was to see the
picture until it was finished. Joe
and Judith laughed at her and her
mother denominated the whole
thing as "pack of nonsense, and
she did wish Mr.. Terrence would
let the child alone, and not be put
ting such ideas into her head; she
was foolish enough as it was"
The long summer days passed,
and a new trouble came to the
Olmsteads. Years before, Mr..
Olmstead had borrowed large
sum of money. The debt had al
ways hung over him like a black
shadow, and now lie was unable to
pay the interest. Mr.. Terrence Of
fered him the money, but he re-
fused.
"No, that would be only a new
debt. If had the money of my
own, l would gladly pay the inter.
est E; but | can't do it, and the old
place will have to co." and the
farmer sighed heavily us he thought
of leaving the home to which he
had brought his bride. tu.a
One evening as Torrence lay Oh
the grass smoking, Cherry came to
him and said her picture was fin
ished. 81 want you to see it first |
and pronounce judgment OH it,"
she said looking very pale. Allan
took the trembling hands in his |
strong tender clasp, and said: |
"Don't look so white child | |
will not be a hard critic" -
"But | want you to be hard,
justly hard" she answered brayely.
The sunset light from the western
skies fell through the open window
and across the easel. The picture
was "A Scene in the Autumn
Woods" Vistas of forest aisles
away, until lost in soft
purple shadows; rain of brown,
and crimson leaves covered the
ground, and a few still fiOated in
the hazy air. A creeper flung its
lark green leaves and bells of Grim
son fire around the dark trunk of
IN old oak. Through the trees
here was a glimpse of a wide lake
ying level and calm in the dim,
relied light of the sun.
1t was not grand picture; but
hat it was beautiful could not be
lenied, The mellow autumn tints
we're blended together with wonder.
ul delicacy and the air of stiffness
md peace gave one sense of rest.
For a time, dead silence reigned
n the small room, then Mr.. Tor
ence turned to the waiting girl
nd said:
"Your picture is success, Cher.
y. 1t is as nearly perfect as II pic
ure can be. Child, you have found
our talent"
Cherry's eyes brimmed over with !
appy tears.
The family looked, rubbed their
yes, and looked again in wonder i
ng admiration.
"Who would thought it tp said s
er father and mother. 1
1--WE were mistaken after all i
'herry," said Joe with a laugh, S
and instead of being a lunatic, |
Ou are the brightest one in the l
,mily. c
Mr.. Terrence bought Cherry's pic. |
lre, paying her two hundred dol S
IFS for it, and with a feeling of t
ride, such as she had never felt |
efore, Cherry gave it to her father. d
at will pay off the interest on a
nat bill wont it Z" she asked eager. C
"Yes," and then drawing his t
daughter close to him Mr.. I
'lmstead tremblingly said: b
"You must forgive us dear for t
ways thinking you were the fool; c
e were such clods ourselves, we v
ad to wait for stranger to find o
ut what jewel we had" h
Cherry laughed, and kissed the l.
,ugh sunburned cheek. C
"Never mind, papa, let the past "A
o. / am just as happy as | can a
Q now" C
Mr.. Terrence was going back to n
le city, and in her heart, Cherry n
,0k lAack the words ahout haiup so b