The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-03-18
Stlerf Sturv.
The Professors Choice.

Octavia Weston's clear, sweet voice
rang like trumpet through the desolste
old garret, where the red glow OF sunset
yet fingered amid dark cross.beams and
festoons of cobwebs; and out from a
particular nook where the light sbene
longest, and the huge chests and piles of
lumber bad heen dragged partially away
from the window-ledge, came brown
skinned. jet eyed young girl, her black
hair twisted into knot at the back Of
her head and her eyebrows knitted as il
In preoccupation of come nature. s'aI
"Wellf" she said shortly. a
"What little old mole you are to be
sure" said Octsvia, "to burrow here,
when all the world is out in the woods
picking up chestputs and gathering au.
tumn leaves! Writing poetry, are you,
or correcting the exercises OF those hor-.
rid little girls in the sixth class! Olive,
Olive, / wonder you don't drown your /
self l am sure 1 should if j we're in
your place." ~ 8N 7i
sawhst isit you want, Octsvia ?" said
Olive brusquely. ezeaH' 49,
81 want you to sketch the letter G on
this piecs Of paper Something origi-
nal and fantastic, you know; and Illus
trate it for me in gold-eaf aud colors,
that's darling! Il must have it this
evening at eight O'clock s eiy
81 don'tsee how / can finish It," SAID
Olive. rougbing up her black locks with
q mechanical bandit was always to-
this name of hers that she resorted when
she was iu a quandary-and staring in.
tently at the ceiling as IL seeking for in.
spiratiout there. -.
"Oh. yes you can! And I'll lend you
my locket to wear ut the picnic. Do try.
there's love-" urged Octavia.
D Olive caught up the pencil and hurri-l
edly sketched the initials Gothic let.
ter twined in .and=ou OF ruined, ivy
grown easement. { It'll. sa "a
"Will this do p said she.
"Oh," cried Octavia, sit is exquisite
Alter the ultra.marine and gold.leaf are
in. Il viii be per5ecti @9 as a9I
a"Leave it, them" said Olive, sand you
ehall have it al the children's tea! Bu,
4 don't want your locket. Jswelry is
well enough, but not when tits borrow
ed" sii - as3,ik8s.isfea Il
0saHow funny you are, Olive Dentr'
said Miss Weston. ESD e5F s9'sid
But she withdrew in radiant good hu-
NOR H saii9 a6f s sgr ~
z eO,ive never likes to be talked to
when she has one OF her inspired fits on,
thought she. "But the. letter is exquis-
ite, and the professor Is sure to be pleas
Ell with It" Fl A7 'sfm,
Octavia Weston and Olive Dent were
both pupils Of Mrs. Hunt Sedley, who
kept fashionable institute for young
ladies. - '9e fissi ags ~ sii1ia
Octavia was the daughter OF an impe
cunious naval officer, who had not paid
any of her bills very lately, but whose.
beauty and good; humor made her uni.
versal favorite.
Moreover, Professor sAnderton, Who
had instructed the girls OF the school in
literature and belles.lsttres, before the
great fortune had been bequeathed to.
him By distant relative, and who still
came daily from Auderton Priofy ~
give his lessons, simply, he said, becs
be likedsit, had fallen.in love VIZ
brilliant complexion and deep ,:...,a
sxes; and This. in the estims ioa as ~
| Hunt sSsdley Institute, ms iistf,, ,;on @
lindsftl ~, -,
Olive, on the contrary. was an orpAn
iwth no friends andsrelatives ia particnJ
Has, except one elderly aunt who wanted
very much indeed to get rid OF her, and
she earned her tuition In the higher
classes nv giving instruction to the little
ones, merdng their clothes, and patient
ly performing all such offices as these.
Olive was no beauty; hut there was
something very winning in her frank,
open manner, her earnestness about
everything she undertook. And the
clear, heshhful tinge of her brown
cheeks, and the intense velvety b'ackness
OF her eyes we're very pleasant to look
upon. .s hagsitfs tas ~,
She worked patientlv away at the iIla
minated letter antii dark. end when at
last it was 6uisbed she put it in her port
folio and carried 1t down iuto the second
class room, where Professor Anderton
sat reading by sthe light OF a student
lamp. res EAi re fi as f4ssl
"WellS' he said kindly.
Il have. been busy," said Olive 81
could not become before. Here are my
drawings. Now l want you, professor,
to tell me truly IL you think have any
chance Of succeeding as an artist"
Silently he turned over the sketches.
She sat and watched him With changing
color and intent eyes. h9e
"No," he said at last. - s
She looked up with an exclamation Of
pain. g
7"Have / hurt you, my poor Olive ?"
said he. "But you wanted me to be
frank. You have originality taste, power,
but not enough Of these to warrant Won
in entering upon the lists Of the artist