Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-09-06

justed his coffar, and, with a calm and
J dignified tread, quilted the room.
His wife stood thoughtfully where
he had left her, nervously fidgeting
her watch chain.
"Half an hour too early! It's too
bad r she muttered. "I thought l
should have that half hour with him
at all events. Oh-h-hp' and she sank
into chair, with long sigh, chow I
do detest that horrid woman r.
She rang the bell fer Jones to clear
away the breakfast things, after few
minutes Of gloomy reflection.
cit wasn't the muddle, after all,
ma'am. Master sent her off again.
She wanted subscriptions for some
thing. And this one always goes to
the studio door, / remember now
Amt you well this morning, ma'am ?"
"Quite, thank you, Jones'" said her
mistress, almost severely, not liking
her fit of depression to attract atten-
tion.
Master made me go and look at his
pit. her, ma'am; the one on the weasel.
Beautiful, call it,
"Yes, it is" said Daisy, who rather
spoilt Jones from having no one else
to talk to when her husband was busy,
"But it stands on an easel, not a
weasel, Jones'"
"Yes'm."
When her maid was gone Daisy sat
down and sighed once more.
1.-The prettiest woman he had ever
painted, he called her. And she has
such sweet expression And | am
too sl!ortr I wonder what he married
a short girl for, if he wants to paint
tall ones. I could have stood on some
thing No, it isn't because 1 shouldn't
d.. He likes having her. know he
does Well, the picture will be finished
soon, and then she'll be done with. I
srranose he doesn't think 1 should look
we'll in a Gainsbor0agh nat and long
cloak"
She fetched some water and re
freshed the plants that bloomed in the
window, though with melancholy
and resigned air, like a much ill-used
woman resolved to bear her wrongs
with patience. After that there were
so many little housekeeping duties to
fulfill, that, by degrees, her fancied
griefs were forgotten.
There was a dainty pudding tomake
with her own fair hands. for Justin
objected to Jones' cooking; there were
the cut flowers to arrange for the
table: there was the man who came
with the gilt frames, and who
was determined to see Mr.. Lester
to be spoken to and sent away; there
were all her husbands beloved little
pots, jars and vases. that he called his
properties, to be busted, he permitting
them to ornament the drawing-room
on condition that Jones should never
touch them; there were a hundred
other little things to do, of whose
existence no one without a house of
her own would dream.
But, after her solitary luncheon,
when the afternoon gave her more
active occupation than piece of
needlework, her thoughts turnel to the
beautiful model with wearying per
sisteney.
81 will go and look in to see how
Justin is getting on," she said, at last,
sticking her needle safely into the hem
on which she was engaged, and trying
to think she was going to do the most
natural thing in the world. "I'H go
very quietly, and then he surely won't
mind"
She went out at the back, crossed the
intervening yard, and laid her hand on
the knob of the studio door, half hesi-
tating. Then she turned it gently and
drew back th3 heavy curtain hung
over it inside to keep out the draught.
For two or three seconds she stood
there, with her face gradually assum-
ing deathly whiteness ; for there, his
back toward her, was the artist, his
model in his arms. The Gainsborough
hat lay against his shoulder; and his
head was bent, as if to catch the whis-
pered words of her who were it.
Daisy let fall the curtain, shut the
door as gently as she had opened it,
and hurried back into the house.
When the daylight was fading Justin
Lester 10 ked up his studio and went
in to look for h IS wife.
There was no answer to his loud
Daisy, where are you?" but Jones
came running out Of the kitchen.
AIissis is gone out, sir; but she lef
a note for you on the dining-room
table"
He entered the dining-room, Won
dering little at such an unusual pro-
ceeding on his wife's part, opened the
letter and read
II have gone home to mamma. I wish l
had never left her.
That was all; and it puzzled him
not little. He sat down on the table,
which gave demonstrating crack, re-
read the note. fr1wned heavily. crum-