Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-12
GALES alr0 Skftrbes.


studio; mot, however, acAno"iooEk
himself that he waited; working htfui!y
with brush and palette, walking nervousiy
up and down the narrow space. kicking
from time to time offending objects that
CHANGED to lie in his path
Again and again his sensitive ear de,
tected approaching footsteps that tel
sometimes lightly, sometimes heavily up
on the long fight Of stairs. Quite upon
the heights ne lived. at least IN the nffn
story, and quite in the clouds did he i've,
move and have his being This is apt SO
to be with talented, sensitive, impecunl-
Gus Young artist. 1t was now late IN the
day, and though the door had been assail-
ed quite frequently, that for which ne
waited had not come.
Suddenly he paused; light. uncertain
step sounded on the stair, and his heart
fIuttered uncomfortably in answer. A tap
a, the door, and he threw il wide. eagerly
expectant-
An instantaneous change swept over his
countenance, "A look ofharsh disappointment
as his eye rested disapproviDgly upon the
figure in the doorway.
al would like TO speak to you," low,
ouiyering voice murmured.
ITO speak with me? Did you come in
answer to nv advertisement ?"
She looked up. bestowing full, earnest
gaze upon his face. acknowledgements l
do not know what you mean. IL want,
would like to be a-model."
Upconsciously he had withdrawn within
the studio and she had advanced. "A
model" he exclaimed in a tone of vexa
ton. "a model for WHAT"
Her face flushed scarlet, the color surged
in rapid waves from chin to brow. and Tor
one moment the gold-brown eyes were
lifted and shot an indignant glance straight
into his own; then from TIE folds OF a
shabby cloak she held small exquisite
hand, white. soft, dainty. tipped as with
rubies. with shining. satiny nails, as deli
cate as those of the most assiduous devo-
tee at the shrine of the toilette.
He had recovered his composure, and
controlled his disappointment now. suffi-
ciently to feel manly shame tor the cruel,
discourteous words; the hand. too, may
haps, had instantaneously won his homage.
for, half apologstically, he said: "Ah-
ah-come in; | will see. was expecting
some one in response to an advertise
ment."
To even a casual observer it would have
been evident that the girl was acting I'M
der the influence of strong emotion that
she was crushing back the sobs. forcing
away the tears but he had turned languid-
ly to a seat. and looking again, scarcely
aware that she had made no reply, saw
her throw aside the miserable cloak that
enveloped her form. and the worn hat,
l~osening as she did so. a magnificent
wealth of sunny brown hair that rippled
to her knees.
Her lips moved nervously before she ut
tered a word, then, with stifled gasp,
would my hair do-would my hand?"
holding again to his view the daintily
tapering fingers.
Something about her had reused him.
There was a ring of unconscious pathos
in the voice different from anything he
had known. Her form quivered suddenly,
and the next moment she sank to the
floor. He sprang forward and lifted the
inanimate figure to a low sofa, dashed wa
ter in the paid face, and when she revived
a little handed a tinv glass of wine.
She sat up quickly with startled look.
"Oh, thank you; was little tired: the
steps were so long-but-if you cannot
give me work must 60"
He looked at her curiOusly. "Some
poor starving creature" he calculated
mentally. and the bond of human brother
hood reached out from his heart to succor
one less fortunate than himself: he, too.
had suffered. wait" he said, 81 will
take your hand"
She sank into the seat indicated with a
look of half concealed qualification, and
held her hand as desired while he worked.
Her profile was turned and her eyes rest
ing upon an exquisite landscape. one of
those rested pictures that seem to carry
one away. away to some land of bliss un-
named in our Biographies.
Unknown to her the tears had gathered
and her face taken on an expression of
such intense longing that his gaze was at
tracted
You like the picture" he asked quite
gently.
at reminds me of the land where all
things-I mean sorrows-are forgotten. !"
She spoke upon the impulse, then colored
slightly and looked away. He continued
his work, and little later laid the brush
aside.
Thanks. that will do; you may come
again in the morning."
A glad light sprang up in the eyes which
were lifted to his. and then quickly averted
as he dropped silver coin into the beauti-
full hand. She tied a heavy veil. passed
out hastily, and closed the door. Down
the steps she sped. then along the corridor
toward another landing. but suddenly
paused. her whole frame convulsed with
sobs. her hands clasped. her head droop-
ing. Nervously the interlaced fingers
sprang apart, the silver piece was hurled
with angry impetuosity against the OPP
posite wall, and she sank upon the first
step. 1t was almost dark in the corridor
fortunately no one passing, and the mo-
meuts given tn passionate weeping were
all her own.
II feel degraded by the touch 1t soil:
this hand ~ she exclaimed. but another
impulse became dominant, and rising with
quick gasp she CROPPED eagerly for the
money. lowering her veil again and hur
ried away.
Papa, dear papa" called voice Of
gentle soicitude, ''have been very long
/ To me it seems almos. month away from
you; but hear the good news-food fol
to dsy and work for to. morrow She
bent over miserable bed upon which lay
an emaciated form. ''See. papa. a gold
en- orange-what feastl''
Np lit.ia ,ri,l hos haop axtra1a,ar, l.,