River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-06-10
IN A STUDIO.

OtiltE tAlStIl w. stlid Ntl oOllltbIIilC5
have fancied that | saw look III youl
eyes that has made me forget every
thing. Oh, Francia, it is true that | an
penniless painter, a man with nothing
but aspirations; but
But people cannot live on aspir;t
tons answered the young girl, in ;
clear, composed voice, singularly colo
and calm.
She stood in the soft spring sunshine
the embodiment of the day, as it We're
lovely, full Of promise and budding
beauty, a little chilly out of the sunshine
Of her favor, with warmth that was
not to be trusted, us it was liable tt
cloud over and die away into stormy
GOODNESS at any time She was young
slender, yet softly rounded as to form
with q proud head, crowned by soft
masses of blonde hair, very low on the
brow, very light and fluffy and curling
III sunshiny tendrils about her face
The eyes were bluish-gray, like cold
morning sky, but the face was full
enough of warmth and rose-tints She
wore dress of some soft clinging mate
rial, a dark blue in color, that pleased
Herbert Wayne's artistic fancy well
She had indeed a natural artistic taste ii
dress that had first touched him, and he
had painted eagerly and 10y stealth a
picture of her III thu very costume
over which he was wont to gloat in the
hours, the long hours, when he could
not see her.
II know il, he nd simply, but with
a sort of heartbreall in his voice.
You said the young girl went on,
f,,,.in1
saw a look in my eyes that made YOU
forget everything. What did YOU
mean"
The young man hesitated AS if
mind | say / fancied-as if you cared
for me-"
1t was fancy" Francia said, looking
down. Il do care for you, but not i'll
the way YOU want care for other
things more"
You are frank" said the other, III Il
panied voice
ut is best. | would not miscad
you"
The mans face-a handsome face,
tender but not strOng-with dark, pas
siOnate eyes, changed and quivered with
intense emotion. He would not charge
this girl with leading him on; he had
TOO much nobility to recall her wiles,
'her sweet eyes, her low replies" or the
hundred subtle nothing5 that had forged
bis chains. Ii was not in his nature to
LAY a harsh word to her now, when he
stood there madly longing to touch one
of the slender girlish hands, feeling that
he could give his life for one moments
happinees-if she loved him. Yet he
had never really hoped. He knew what
things Francia cared for more than any
mans love-pretty toilets flashing jew
els, praise and tlattery, and Il whlrl of
excitement-and set it was true that
the vain little heart had been more tlllt-
tered by his love than ever before. 1t
was an uncomfortable sensation, and
Francia FASTENED to get rid of it, rs she
always did with unpleasant things; and
the knowledge that he might have real
w read the heart tumult in her eyes
made her more cold and decisive.
"Well, my dream is over" he said,
with a sudden effort Spring, you
know, Is Il time when, as Tennyson
says:
\ young mans fancy lightly turns TO thoughts OF
love-
30, let the season excuse me. Every
thing looks SO promising, l thought the
wear might have something for me, but
it's all over now. | will get used to 1t,
/ suppose, and learn content. GoOd-by,
Miss Francia"
Are you going?" she said, looking
into his changed face with an uncom-
Portable twinge.
Yes; | must 90 and work" he said,
in an absent way, his glowing eyes fixed
upon the young girls face with de-
vouring glance. as f taking farewell OF
il.
She held out her hand with I'm i'm
pulse of kindness. He seized 1t, half
raised ii To his lips, then dropped it. he
could not trust himself, but turned swift
" and went away along the road under
the fresh green branches that made a
verdant arch over it. Francla stood
Watching him with absent eyes.
If he were rich. she said, with Il
little sigh; and then she began to dream
Of lover who could give her all She
longed fora man who had lately
singled her out for marked attention.
Her fancy rioted in succession OF
Worths toilets. pillows of cleaning
sitin with foam of lace, ropes of pearls
and the glitter of diamonds and the red
span of rubieS, turned before her VISION
ike the confused figures of a kaleldo-
scope; and vet, after all, she found her
self walking somewhat slowly and sadly
home, seeing only quivering face
pale rs ashes pair of dark, eloquent
eyes full of passionate pain, and heT
heart seemed to he stirred with dull
pnin that would not be stilled.
believe / love the man, she said
with petulant laugh.
The sunshine struck athwart the
trees and kindled the vivid greens OF
some. the dark-red buds of others, into
new brightness. the next afternoon, a
two people straved in lingering and
lover like way beneath them FranCla
paused suddenly, with the prick oi
memory at her heart, and said:
Let us go home; | am tired.
The gentleman laughed.
You are frank, ut least. Suppose
We 60 into Waync's studio lie has
wanted me To look Mt his pictures.
think it would encourage him to buy
one. poor fellow, am afraid he has {
hard time Of it. VIII YOU 90 with me
| should like to have your taste in Sc
lecting"
Francia hesitated moment If sh,
could be of any use materially TO TIM
man whose hopes she had slain why
not do it? She had some kindly feeling
and she knew the sale might depend OF
a word from her Perhaps the arts
might kindle to new enthusiasm owe
his work if success smiled ON him, anC
~ lose that other maddening dream
that had blighted his life
YES: let us GO" she answered
So they mounted up the stairs with
out further words till they stood some
what breathless at the top-the room
We're nearest the sky.
Artists like to get above the SINAI
affairs ofOur lower life. said MIR. Ihorne
somewhat pompously-''near the star
and comets, l suppose
There was no answer to their knock
but Chester Thorne pushed open tn
door and went in Palette and brushe
were thrown about in that disorder tina
seems somehow fitting to man Q
dreams. The place seemed filled an,
permeated with the immediate pres
ence of the owner, so that Francia look
ed about for him, and rather expects
10 see him emerge from dim alcov
before which hung faded bit of rar
Gohel;r tanestrv. There seemed som