Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-04-08
:
The lesson was over. No pupils had ar


are" said Mr.. Buckle. ssAny time will dc
to begin; any time. They delay. They
procrastinate. It's PITY
sItis 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 contem-
plation of the blue sky, with white clouds,
that had grown under her brush. / have
had a delightful lesson.''
Again she waited with impatience.
Again she climbed up the long stairs.
Again there were no other pupils present.
Again none arrived.
But this time brown roof grew under
her brush and gray branches lay against
the sky.
The trunk of tree was indicated, and
the figure of child was carefully sketch
ed amongst the blossoms, as yet only out
lined in the foreground.
happiness
'sYou must find me very stupid" she
said. "But don't you think can learn if
apply myself?"
''I an sure you will do well,'' said Mr..
Buckle; more than we'll You have tai
ent, madam-decided talent for art.''
On her way home, Miss Elizabeth
thought with rapture that perhaps a day
might come when she should open a cata-
logue and see s'Sunset," OF ssReveries' or
'Moonlight Hours" or some such roman
tic title, among the list of pictures, follow
ed by the delightful words, s'by Miss Eliz-
abeth Hill.'
The thought chased away the scruples
that troubled her as to the propriety of be-
ing the only scholar of 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 deco
rum itself. And such genius! How fool
ish of the other members of that limited
class not to avail themselves of such oppor-
tunities! 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 sum. When
hurrying up stairs to her lesson she heard
voices within the door, and paused. Two
men were talking. One was Mr.. Buckle
''If you can but wait little" she heard
him say.
"Well, have waited, haven't -" re-
piled the other voice. 81 know you mean
well; but studios are in request. 1 can't
let mine for nothing. You haven't given
me one cent for two months, Mr.. Buckle -
"You see Pm just establishing myself, :"
said Mr.. Buckle; pupils come slowly. I
spent all had in advertising and paying
the first months rent and buying such fur
niture as I've got. I sleep in that ham,
mock, and take down the portiere for a
blanket; and so far I've got only one pupil.
1t won't do to starve. live on dollar a
week. Now where is the money for
rent ?'
''Don't seem to be any," replied the
landlord; that's why think maybe you'd
better move"
All well, suppose I must, > said Mr..
Buckle.
'I'n just give this lesson and hang my
self, or something-not here, it would give
the place bad name, you know, and
you've been most kind. Good morning.
All, no, don't apologize; its all in the way
of business" and then a large man in a
light overcoat bounced out and nearly
overset Miss Elizabeth as he ran down
stairs.
She, for her part, went into the room all
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
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.
"Pm going to give up. this studio, Miss
Hill,' he said. .sThis vii be our last
lesson. I'll give you the address of an ex-
cellent teacher who has vacancies. He's
little dearer than am, but ever SO much
"Oh, that can't bep' said Miss Eliza
beth.
ooh, yes, indeed, /" said Mr.. Buckle. I'm
after all, only an amateur sort Of inn
postor. I'm rather good at water-colors, I
know, but Pm not professional, unless
teaching you makes me so. feel like tell
ing you the truth"
81 had little fortune when came here
and they told me could treble it. I'm
sure 1 couldn't say what I did, with that
object. but was told one day that I had
lost it all.
"I'm not business man, you know; and
then 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. "Well, it is this-if hadn't been
such poor beggar I'd have asked you if
you could like me enough to marry me.
never met any one so nice-indeed, Inever
did; and our tastes are alike, and all that.
I'll try not to think of it more than I can
help, but felt that I must tell you before
we parted for ever"
Miss Elizabeth had put her handkerchief
to her eyes, and now was heard to whisper
something.
'sBeg PARDON said Mr.. Buckle.
M-I've got plenty" said Miss Eliza
beth.
'.Plenty?" repeated Mr.. Buckle.
Money! gasped Miss Elizabeth. ''Plen-
ty for BOTH"
s'You kind little woman, said Mr.. Buck
le, and took her hand.
The brushes lay neglected, the color
dried on the palette.
They sat for long while, then
eff you really love me-" said Miss Eliz-
abeth, SIT doesn't matter which has the
money"
'sIt's awful sweet of you to feel that
way" said Mr.. Buckle. "Only, would it
UC llS SAt "a AuC3 you huOW9 w Lou WOuAca
your family say?"
In the mellow twilight that had begun
to steal over the empty little room Miss
Elzabeth'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 him.
self which he had made for his landlord. II
she were not brave now she felt he might
indeed be found pendant from branch
somewhere.
"Heaven knows! Pm of age," she said,
| with little laugh; "and a family that has
left me alone at clearinghouse may say
what it pleases; don't care -
'1t is the right spirit" said Mr. Buckle
81 think it very fine, and I shall be made
so unutterly happy by it. my dear"
They kissed each other in the twilight
and left the room together arm in arm.
|
cit was very sly of Elizabeth. We ex-
pected more confidence" said the oldest
sister to her friends shortly after. "But
she married well-a celebrated artist, ex
ceedingly rich. l presume they all are
| His name is Buckle"
| Lord Coleridge is delighting his English
friends with stories of his American visit