The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1884-01-10
The lesson was over. No pupils had

will do to begin; any time. They de-
lay. They procrastinate. It's pity"
1T is surprising TO me that they are
not more anxious to avail themselves of
such advantages, said Miss Elizabeth,
hardly able to tear herself away from
the contemplation of the blue sky, with
white clouds, that had grown under
her brush. Il have had a delightful
lesson"
Again she waited with impatieaco.
Again she climbed up the long stairs.
Again there were no other pupils pic5-
ent. Again none arrived.
But this time a brown roof grew un-
der her brush, and grey branches lay
against the sky.
The trunk of tree was indicated,
and the figure of child was carefully
sketched amongst the blossoms, as yet
only outlined in the foreground.
Miss Elizabeth trembled with pride
and happiness.
''You must find me very stupid" F" she
said. But don't you think | can learn
if | apply myself?''
Il am sure you will do WELL" said
Mr.. Buckle; more than well. You
nave IaieHt, ududlu- ueCIueo eaIOHI
for art"
On her way home Miss Elizabeth
thought with rapture that perhaps
day might come when she should open a
catalogue and see Sunset" or RE
verie,'' or Moonlight Hours" or some
such romantic title, amongst the list
of pictures, followed by the delightful
fsl,xr hot
The thought chased away the scru-
pies that troubled her as to the pro-
priety of being the only scholar of a
single gentleman; and, then, he was
so gentlemanly. He never quite closed
the door. He sat at the opposite side
of the table. He was decorum itself.
And such genius! How foolish of the
other members of that limited class not
to avail themselves of such opportuni-
ties. The quarter was over and she
was beginning to wonder whether Mr..
Buckle would trouble himself to teach
a class of one for so small a sum. When
hurrying upstairs to her lesson, she
heard voices within the door, and pauS-
ed. Two men were talking. One was
Mr.. Buckle.
'.If you can but wait a little" she
heard him say.
'sWell, l have waited, haven't IP"
replied the other voice. 81 know you
mean well; but studios are in request.
l can't let mine for nothing. You have
not give me one cent for two months,
Mr.. Buckle"
You see I'm just establishing my
SELF" said Mr.. Buckle; pupils come
slowly. l spent all | had in advertis-
ing and paying the first months rent
and buying such furniture as I've got.
| sleep in that hammock, and take
down the portiere for a blanket; and so
far I've got only one pupil. 1t won't t
do to starve. l live on a dollar week.
Now, where is the money for rent?'
Don't seem to be any," replied the
landlord; '.that's why l think maybe
you'd better move"
.'Ah well, suppose" must, said Mr..
Buckle ''pll just give this lesson and
hang myself. or something-not here,
it would give the place a bad name,
you know, and you've been most kind.
Good-morning. All no, don't apologize;
it's all in the way of business;' and
then large man in a light overcoat
bounced out and nearly overset Miss
Elizabeth as he ran downstairs.
She, for her part, went into the room
all tremulous with surprise and grief,
and could hardly utter her usual greet
ing.
She looked at Mr.. Buckle as he laid
out the pattern, and tested the shade
of the color in her palette cups, think
ing what a fine, kind, pleasant face his
was.
She noticed, too, that the braid that
bound his coat was worn out, and that
his knees were shiny.
Then he came around the table, and
for the first time sat down beside her.
I'm going to give up this studio,
Miss Hill," he said. This will be our
last lesson. I'll give you the address
of an excellent teacher who has vacan-
cies. He's little dearer than l am,
but ever so much better"
'.Oh, that can't ber' cried Miss Eliza
beth.
ssOh yes, indeed" said Mr.. Buckle.
'.I'm, after all, only an amateur-a
sort of impostor. I'm rather good at
water-colors, l know, but I'm not pro-
fessional, unless teaching you makes
me SO. l feel like telling you the whole
truth.
Il had little fortune when l came
here, and they told me [ could treble
it. I'm sure / couldn't say what l did
with that object, but was told one day
that / had lost it all.
''Tm not a business man, you know;
and then l thought I'd teach water
colors; and-well, you've been my only
pupil, you know, so I've got to say
goodbye; 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 s.Well, it is this-if l had
not been such a poor beggar, I'd have
asked you, if you could like me enough
to marry me. never met any one so
nice-indeed, l never did; and our
tastes are alike, and all that.
I'm try not to think of it more than
/ can help, but felt that | must tell
you before we parted for ever
Miss Elizabeth had put her handker-
to whisper something.
BEG pardon" said Mr.. Buckle.
'I-rve got plenty" said Miss Elizs-
beth.
'Plenty?" repeated Mr.. Buckle.
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 a long while, then
'lf you really love me" said Miss
Elizabeth, ''it doesn'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?"
In the mellow twilight that had be-
gun to steal over the empty little room,
Miss Elizabeth's face looked wonder
fully 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 himself which he had
made for mis- landlord. If she were