Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-12-15
THE ARTISTS STORY.
BY FLORENCE KIRK.

Edith Rayner laid down the stocking
she was darning, and gave herself up to
the settling of the question which all the
morning had been puzzling her brain.
She sat with idle hands, with an absent
look in her deep gray eyes, trying to
contrive to think To rich young lady
an invitation to brilliant party Is
well, it is but a question of what will be
most becoming-the richest and latest
design. But to a poor one like Edith
All! she knew just what and how it was,
''I would not CO." she said to herself,
"No, / would not go if it were not for
Robert; and he does not consider that
have nothing to wear. "Dear, dear !
My garnet cashmere would look-how it
would look beside gay silks and satins :"
But Robert did think and consider ;
did wonder how he could manage to add
little to his sisters wardrobe for the
occasion. lie thought of it over and
over again, until--well, what had he
done? The artist stopped and gazed at
the canvas. A new idea entered his
mind. Slowly under the touches of the
brush grew graceful form, with mass
of pale golden hair, a warmly tinted,
oval face. About the symmetrical form
fell soft folds of garnet. 1t was not the
work Of an hour, nor day, but of
many. And now with satisfaction, the
painter contemplated the finished pic
ture. 1t was Edith-and true to ma
ture. He had painted her in an attitude
she often assumed when in deep thought
and meditation an attitude of grace,
full of suggestion to poets fancy.
"Edie shall have this for her birth
day." said Robert; "and il she does so
well for canvas, surely she cannot look
i'll among the richly feathered crowd to-
morrow night. All, Deven, am very
glad to see youn'
1t was an artist friend who had en-
tered his studio unnoticed, but not
alone. "
"Mr. Rayner Mr.. Blanco. This gen
tleman, Robert, is lover of art and
wishes to see your pictures. As | am
in hurry and have business down
town, will leave him with you short
time.'
Robert willingly showed his pictures.
"And this is all?" inquired Mr..
Blanco, as his eyes wandered around
the room.
CALL" replied Robert, "except this"
directing his attention to the painting
still on the easel
His guest stood regarding it for some
time, and then astonished Robert by
asking the price.
"It is not for sale," said Robert.
"But like it," replied Mr.. Blanco.
81 like it, and well, will give you one
hundred and fifty dollars for it,"
To an artist just making name as
Robert was, the amount was too tempt
ing. Mr.. Blanco had the picture sent
home, and Robert and Edith were made
happy by the good fortune.
"And now, Edie," said her brother,
after they had devoured the three green
fifty dollar bills with their eyes, "now
you can have something new to wear"
The elegant house on A. avenue
was ablaze with light. A constant
stream of carriages came and went.
leaving handsomely y-robed and hand
some women-aristocrati and pompous
men, polished and self-possessed ladies
and gentlemen of fashion and society.
In the dressing-room, shrinking and
dazed. was Edith. How she wished
herself back in. their plain but cosy
little home Robert was becoming sue
cessful. His success though limited,
had obtained the invitation that had
brought them there that night. In vain
did Edith look among the throng for
another as plainly dressed as she. The
dark garnet dress had not been sup
planted by any new one and though it
was pretty and neat and intensely be-
coming. she felt she looked in shabbi-