Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-09-26


is actually breeze blowing across that
lake. Yes, think the artist must be
man of ability. Not quite firm in the
handling OF his brush, I should say, but
likely to prove genius in the end.''
II am glad you like It," said Florence,
quite coolly, 'sfor he lives at Pelham,
and has an invalid sister who does en-
bro1dery for me. The scene IS quite fa-
millar to me. It is from the valley be-
low my own house."
"Indeed!" said Mr.. Leicester, approx
ingly.
And then new idea struck him.
Florence was beautiful, but she was
too childish. She needed distinction.
If he were to marry her, he would pre-
fer that che should have more the air and
bearing of woman of fashion.
"Indeed!'' he replied to her. "Then I
presume he is in town figuring some
where as poor and neglected artist. IF
he has real talent he ought to be intro
duced into society. How would you like
to play the part Of patroness for strug
Cling geniuss"
Florence did not like the way in which
this was said, but simply replied:
"You know my father was an artist,
and never like to talk of patronizing
people Of genius. Nevertheless I should
be glad to do anything in my power for
Mr.. Poindexter.''
SIS he young and handsomea''
"About thirty-fve, I judge" said Flor
ence, ''and the reverse of handsome; but
he has fine face and pleasing manners.
He would be quite presentable in any
drawing room. e-
II will find him OUT said Mr.. Lelces-
ter, "and we will give him dinner-par-
ty. and get his picture well noticed in
the papers, and you shall have the credit
of bringing him OUT
So Leicester set about to find Mr..
Poin lexter, and the very next evening
brought him home and presented him to
Florence.
II am quite delighted to see you,"
said Florence. "For the honor Of Pei
ham, I am glad to know that you are
having success in your art, and trust
this is only the dawn of your good
fortune"
Florence had a scheme in her head
which she detemired to carry out, and
she was already laying her plans for it.
She, therefore, made no personal IN
quiries of Mr.. Polndexter, but confined
Der apparent interest in him, wholly to
his claims as an artist.
They passed a very pleasant evening
together, however, and the next morning
Florence said to Mr.. Leicester, who was
already discussing the details Of the
dinner-party:
II have an idea which will, think,
add greatly to the success Of your din
ner. I wish to purchase Mr.. Poindex-
ter's picture. We will complete the
bargain at once, bring home the picture,
call it a view from part OF my own
grounds, and invite In friends to view
the painting and meet the artist at the
same time.''
''That is grand,'' said Mr.. Leicester.
Greatly, you are developing beautifully
as woman of the world. am proud
Of you"
Florence said nothing, but went on
with her planning.
81 shall have new dress for the coca
SON. she said to Mrs. Pentwater, "and
l want your help in selecting 1t. I am
going to give up my Grape and adopt
half mourning"
"Charming?'' said Mrs. Pentwater,
who imagined by this that her brother
was getting demonstra.1ve; 'and this will
be the time to bring out the Barham
diamonds. The full set, my dear-noth-
ing lessp'
$50 the dinner was grand affair, and
Mrs. Barham quite the star of the even
ing: but she managed SO as to shed all
her radiance upon Mr.. Poindexter, who
became from that moment quite the fash
ion of the hour. He sold dozen pict-
ures in as many days, and went back to
Pelham to gladden. the heart of his sister
with his success.
Florence made her summer campaign
with the Pentwaters, and every where she
shore as reigning belle. Mr.. Leicester
grew more and more devoted, and pres
emily, in spite of all her efforts to pre-
vent it, he proposed. To his mortifca-
ton and surprise, he was promptly re-
jected.
That ended Florence's visit with her
relatives, and with the falling leaves she
went back to Pelham. She found Mr..
Poindexter there painting industriously,
and making the best Of his sudden har-
vest.
81 am SO grateful to you," she said to
him one day. "You cannot imagine IT.
"Grateful to met" he exclaimed; in
deed cannot imagine it. All the graft
tude is on the other side, and it is bur-
den from which can never be released.
Whichever I may become from this day
forward, / shall owe it tar less to my
own exertions than to your goodness. -
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "Let me
tell nay story. You already know that
my father was an artist; all that I have
done for you was but worthy tribute to
his memory. You owe me nothing what
ever, absolutely nothing.
The artist grew pale and then red. Flor
ence saw that he was agitated, and for
moment she saw how the sense Of her