The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-11-14

not to avail themselves CT such opportuni.
ties. The quarter was over and she was be.
ginning to wonder whether Mr.. Buckle
would trouble himself to teach class OF
one for SO small sum. When hurrying up
stairs to her lesson, she heard voices within
the door, and paused. Two men were talk
ing. One was Mr.. Buckle.
:" If you could but wait little,n she heard
him say.
Well, have waited, haven't ~ replied
ihe other voice. 6 know you mean we'll
but studios are in request. can't let mine
for nothing. You haven't given me one red
cent for two months, Mr.. Buclle.n
You see I'm just establishing myself, .
said Mr.. Buckle; pupils como slowly. L
spent all had in advertising and paying
the first months rent and buying such furni-
ture as I've got. I sleep in that hammock,
and take down the portiere for blanket !;
and so far I've got only one pupil. 1t won't
do to starve. / live ON dollar week.
Now, where is the money for rent ?"
Don't seem to be any," replied the land
lord that's why think may be you'e
better move"
All ! well, suppose must said Mr.
Buckle. ''I'll just give this lesson and
bang myself or something mot here, il
would give the place a bad name, you know,
and you've been most kind. Your Central
Park seems to be the place for that sort of
thing. I shan't do it at all, unless I'm
obliged, of course Good morning All
no; don't apologize /; it's all in the way OF
business )" and then large man in light
overcoat bounced out and nearly overset
Miss Elizabeth as he ran down stairs.
She, for her part, went into the room oil
tremulous with surprise and grief, and could
hardly utter her usual greeting.
She looked at Mr.. Buckle as he laid out
the pattern, and tested the shade of the
color in her palette cups, thinking what a
ine, kind, pleasant face his was.
She noticed, too, that the braid that
bound his coat VIZ worn out, and that his
knees were shiny.
Then he came around the table, and fer
the first time sat down beside her.
" I'm going to give up this studio, Miss
HILL" he said. "This will be our last les
son. I'll give you the address of an excel
lent teacher who has vacancies. He's a little
dearer than l am, but ever so much bet
ter"
oh, that can't be |" cried Miss Eliza
beth.
ooh, yes, indeed,n said Mr.. Buckle.
e. I'm, after all, only an amateur-a sort of
impostor. I'm rather good at water-colors,
l know, but I'm not professional, unless
teaching You makes me so. feel like tell.
ing you the truth. / had little fortune
when came here and they told me could
treble it in Wall street. I'm sure couldn't
say what did with that object, but l was
told one day that had lost it all. I'm not
business man, you known, and then /
thought I'd teach water-colors, and Well,
you've been my only pupil, you know, SO
I've got to say eood-by; and--and there's
something else I'd like to tell you-but you
might be offended"
''Oh, no" said Miss Elizabeth.
You'll forgive me. Thanks" said Mr..
Buckle. "Well it is this; if 1 hadn't beer
such poor beggar I'd have asked you, il
you could like me enough, to marry me. l
never met anyone so nice. Indeed, never
did /; and our tastes are alike, and all that.
I'll try not TO think of it more than / cal
help, but felt that must tell you before
we parted forever"
Miss Elizabeth had put her handkerchief
to her eyes, and now was heard to whisper
something.
Beg pardon" said Mr.. Buckle.
Give got plenty" said Miss Eliza
beth.
"Plenty ?" repeated Mr.. Br"kle.
Money" gasped Miss elizabeth
Plenty for both"
You kind little woman" said Mr..
Buckle, and took her hand.
The brushes lay neglected, the color dried
on the palette.
They sat thus for long while, then:
If you really love me-" said Miss Eliza
beth, 1T dosen't matter which has the
money"
It's awfully sweet of you to feel that
way" said Mr.. Buckle. "Only, would it
be right of me, you know? What would
your family say 7"
In the mellow twilight that had begun to
steal over the empty little room, Miss Eliza
beth's face looked wonderfully soft and
young as she looked up at him but think
she scarcely could have done what she did
but for that fancy picture of herself which
he had made for his landlord. If she were
not brave now she felt he might indeed be
found pendant from branch in the Cen
trail Park some morning.
Heaven knows I'm of age" she said.
with little laugh "and family that has
left me alone at boarding house may say
what it pleases don't care"
"lt is the American spirit" said Mr..
Buckle. g / think it very fine, and | shall
be made SO unutterably happy by it, my
dear"
They kissed each other in the twilight,
and left the little room together arm in
arm.