The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-12-01

fairs when my anticipations were
| chilled by the disappointing announce
ment that their marriage had been de-
| ferred
The next day as Harry and | met for
our usual stroll about the city, he re-
ferred to the approaching holidays and
said .... ..Hl
''I'ye made up my mind what to do
for Mary at Christmas.
"Well, what is it ?' was my re-
sponse
''She is worried to death about that
picture he replied, Il do not think
She could enjoy any Christmas gift
| with that unsold. You know that
| favorable mentions don't help one a
| hundredth part as much as one sale.
Two hundred and fifty dollars is all she
asks for it, but the mere fact of pur-
chaser would be equal to seven hun
dred and fifty additional. So I've made
up my mind to buy it..
"Humph y | exclaimed. sit will
be no comfort to her for you to buy it.
1t isn't yoa~ money she wants for the
| picture; and, as to the compliment of
purchaser, she has heard your praises
until you cannot add to them ' 'fi
But he replied, II don't intend
she shall know who buys it; keep my
self out of sight, you see. "A gentle
man having been highly pleased with
the picture will send his agent for it,
paying cash down"
''What and she not know where
it is to hangP Why, Harry, you
wouldn't like to let your canvas go that
way. Mary thinks as much of that
| picture as mothers do of their babies.
She wouldn't sell it So" -a...--
"Hold onn' said Harry. ''You do
not understand my whole plan yet.
The gentleman is collecting to furnish
a house which he expects to occupy
next autumn at the latest; then Miss.
Landon shall be informed and invited
to see her own work after it is hung
Seep I'm that gentleman; that house is
to be mine. OF course she'll be invited
to see the picture after it is hung"
And he chuckled in foretaste of her
enjoyment at her surprise
pretty good! pretty good, Harryr'
I exclaimed. But meantime what
will you do with it?'' ...
'Why, keep it carefully in your store
ROOM" he answered.
''But are you not afraid that when
she discovers the facts in the case. the
reaction on her feelings will be disas-
trous?'
| questioned.
''No! nor he replied, spiritedly;
''the sale will so raise her enthusiasm
that her next piece will be the best she
has ever done. Az the poor girl needs
in order to excel herself and surprise us
all, is encouragement. And when she
finds out her capacity, no fear for her
then"
Hesitatingly | acquiesced, more
pleased with the self-sacrilice and heart
mess of Harry's plan than with its wis
dom.
A day or two later Mary hurried into
my studio, eXclaiming:
''Mr. Doran, read, read quick, and
tell me what to do!' and she handed
me a note from the store where her pict-
ure was on sale. 1t ran as follows:
"Will Miss Landon have the kindness to come
down to our place at earliest convenience?
There is a rather singular offer for her picture
and we do not know what to do about it.
"MARsH g. Co."
80! 90 right. down to Marshs at
once. " said |. Perhaps your ship has
arrived"
She smiled obviously, and after hest
tating little, said:
Cant you please come with me to
advise ?''
consented, and half an hour later
we We're at Marsh's, busily canvassing
the pros and cons of Harry's anony-
nous offer ... ......
When | had satisfied myself from her
words and actions that, as Harry had
said, the encouragement would be
worth more than the money to Mary,
advised her to accept it, and she did so.
| cannot say that | was absolutely GER
tain theft it would prove best in the long
run; but in view of having already
agreed with Harry about it, saw no
other way out of my predicament.
That evening the picture, truly fine
piece, was brought andput safely away
in my store-rooln.
Next day Mary seemed so CHEEKY,
her eyes so clear and eager, her man
ner so resolute, that cast my uncer-
tainty to the winds.
cts all right" thought I and
''Merry Christmas it truly was to her.
During the week between the holt
days she had other good fortune I'm
known to Harry or me she had COM
peted for prizes for designs of Christ
mas cards, and had just received the
statement from the publishers that they
had awarded her two premiums of
two hundred and three hundred dol
lars each, the checks for those amounts
accompanying the letter The girl
was almost beside herself with Joy at
her success, and worthily so, for it was
no mean victory. at ~ sa...
''Now," said she, with sparkling
eyes, ''if Harry were to say marry
I'm afraid | should not say no, for the
way seems clearer than a week
ago" And then with a sigh !:
''Poor Harry Iwish somebody would
buy has picture just to cheer him up.
o, my! money is the best praise l ever
had" t lI. .t, Io1 . o,',
Later the same day she came close to
my easel, where ] was putting the last
touches to a canvas, and, whispering,
said: ''-a.''' ''H'
"Papa Doran, I'm going to buy
Harry's picture, just to give the pre-
cious boy heart and courage. Since