Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-01

'SAS .hC hHioleu )lCttlTc-SNe perfectly
satisfied that no one could have done II
better, he nervous and anxious, seeing
faults which she denied; the Lady face
was too fat and round, her ewes had a
stern. starng expression. and her hai
Just had ridges all over it instead of soft
waves.
'But just see how the eyes follow me
about. Walter" cried Nettie. proudly.
land you said that was something So
hard to get right; don't you see, if
stand on this side she seems to he look
ing right at me. and now when l 90 on
this side. it looks almost as if her ewes
moved. too"
"Yes, that is true" said Walter
more hopefully. 81 have certainly
succeeded well in that effect; and be-
licve." he continued. with sigh of re-
lief. taking it altogether. it is the best
picture | have ever madc.'
IL should say it is!' cried Nettie, de-
ciSively, land you will see," she added.
with a beautiful trusting faith in her
dark eyes, Iii it doesn't prove a grand
success"
Everything in connection with the
picture and exhibition had been kept a
profound secret between Walter and
Nettie, to be a proud surprise for their
father and mother, if a success. and in
case of failure-why, the least said
the better. And now, that it was fin
ished, they hung it in Walters room.
having united all their little savings to
buy as nice frame as they could for it,
Almost week yet must elapse before
the opening of the exhibition, and both
Walter and Nettie wished it had been
but day, so full We're their hearts o.
hopeful expectancy. Every night Walter
fell asleep gazing at tho Roman Lady.
and his eyes turned with uDtailing de-
votion on her first, when awakening.
Now, the only assistance employed
by their mother in her household work
was poor colored girl. who was what
is called half-witted;" her vacant, ex-
pressionless face told how little of the
mind had been given her that teaches
one to act and think sensibly; but She
was very obedient and harmless, not.
withstanding the queer, foolish fancies
that had given her the name. among
children, OF Crazy Peggy" Once ol
twice only, in her life. She had been
known to do strange things. and some
times seemed possessed by foolish fears
making her timid and frightened OF
things in which no one else could i'm
agine any cause for alarm.
1t was one Of Peggy's duties each
morning to clean and dust Walter
room after he had gone to school for the
day. and the very first morning after the
picture had been hung. she stopped
right before it. and gazed at it as il
spell-bound; again she turned away to
60 about her work, but glancing back
nervously all the time at the face on tn,
wall with its great dark eyes, whicl
seemed to the foolish girl to be starin,
fixedly at her. and following her wher
ever she went. From one side of tn,
room to the other she moved, the eve;
really appearing to move as she did. ii |
with her usual duties only half per
formed, poor Peggy hastily left the
room. glad to escape from the eyes thai
seemed to disturb her go.
The following morning it was Just thu
same. only the strange impression o.
lear had taken stronger hold on the fool
ish girl. and she hurried about, giving
only frightened glance now and thel
at the stern eyes that never seemed tt
cease their close watch of her. anc
away she sped. leaving a very imper
fectly-cleaned room.
The third morning came. and poo'
Peggy acted as though she had really
grown desperate under the strange
spell of the picture. Once she clincheC
her fist and shook it menacingly at the
innocent Roman Lady. but dropped il
again, quelled by the staring eyes
Slowly she walked to the bed, half cry
ing now, and mute ring g to herself:
~ want that ar CONAN to stop starin
at me:'' and. glancing back nervously
to meet only the same relentless gaze
the poor silly girl seemed actually to lose
the little mind she had, and. rushing te
the.hearth. seized a porker sharpened a
one end, and without a moments de
lay was again before the picture ex.
claiming: "rll fix yer" and the mex,
instant punch! went the cruel poker
through one eye, punch! through the
other, and there hung the poor Roman
Lady with only two round holes in hel
fair face where the dark eyes had been
With a grunt of deep satisfaction, bu
frightened glance at the havoc she had
made. Peggy finished her cleaning, and
left the room.
run up stairs. Nettie. and put these
clothes in Walters room." said hel
mother, as Nettie came in from schoo
half-hour earlier than her brother.
With never thought of the dismay
awaiting her, the little girl ran lightly
up the steps, laid the articles in theil
proper places, and then turned for an
admiring glance at the Roman Lady.
With q half-uttered cry, and a sudden
terror-stricken clasping of her hands,
Nettie stood like one petriiied before
the disigured picture. She could not
possibly believe her own eyes for q
moment; not till she drew nearer, and.
reaching UP, actually placed her finger
in the poor pierced eyes could she realize
the terrible. mysterious catastrophe.
Lost in grief and bewilderment she
stood, uncertain what to do, till sudden.
ly Walters voice from below broke the
spell that seemed holding her. Instant
ly all her thought was turned to him:
she must try to tell him gently what had
happened that he might be spared the
sudden shock experienced by her.
fastening out of the rooms. she stooG
at the landing of the stairs as he CANT
bounding up. her little face looking
pale with grief. and her hands still
clasped tightly together. Scarcely no
ticing her, Walter was passing hastily
on. wh& she laid her hand detciningly
on his arm. and said in low, trelnulous
voice:
80 Walter. don't. don't 60 in there
yeti"
Her brother stopped and looked at hel
as if he thought she was suddenly losing
her mind. "What in the world is the
matter, Nettie, you look as though you
had seen omathing terrible?"
80 Walter" she repeated in reluc-
tant. broken sentences. 1.-THE Lady
the Lady"
In moment the words had filed hin
with vaguA alarm.