The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-11

last year. did not hear of that until the Saturday night, and the vanishing day was on Monday"
 But, John, dear, is there any reason for keeping people in suspense so long !! Surely they must have decided definitely upon the pictures some days before this. It seems such unnecessary cruelty to tor ture us like this"
 "You may well call it torture, Nell. It is the suspense being so protracted that seems to drag the very heart out of you. l could have borne hearing it was turned out much better a week ago; now feel as if the blow would knock me down al- together"
 "For heavens sake, don't say that, John. We must do our best to fight the battle bravely in any case. God will show us some way out of our difficulties l; He will find an escape for us He will not let us perish, am sure. Dear love, promise me you will not lose heart, what ever happens. Trust to me to think of some deliverance for us."
 An, Nell, my sweet comforter, it is not for myself l am anxious; could rough it. It is the thought of what you and our child are suffering that wrings my heart. l almost blame myself now for devotlng all my time and energies to this one picture. But had such a long ing to paint it, and how was to know that that thief Walton would run of with out paying me for any of my sketches and studies! If we had had that money, we should have had enough to eat, at least"
 Rat-tatl The postman at last
 They start to their feet, each looking breathlessly into the others face.
 will go this time, Nell. Cheer up, darling; am sure shall bring you good news"
 He took his poor trembling wife in his arms, and kissed her. Then, with an un- spoken prayer in his heart, he flew down the long, tedious stairs.
 There it lay on the slab, the letter so anxiously waited for, and on which so much depended l The academy stamp, the royal coat-of-arms, was uppermost, so he knew it at a glance. For moment he stood irresolute, the envelope un- opened in his hand. Would it contain a polite intimation that at the last moment the royal academicians had been unable
 
 eted vanishing ticket2
 I must open it here," he said, "that may break the news to Nell, in case it is bad; the doctor told me yesterday sud- den shock would be very dangerous in her weak condition"
 With a shaking hand he tore the envelope open, and then a warm glow of rapture filled his heart, for in a mo- ment he had seen that his luck had turned at last, and that his picture was accepted.
 With a cry of joy he rushed up stairs, taking the steps two and three at time, and burst into the room where his wife awaited him. There was no need for him to speak werd, his radiant face told her everything. With a murmur of rap- ture she fell into his outstretched arms, and the two mingled their tears of meas ureless happiness together.
 "Come, Nell," he said at last, "dry your tears, darling. Ans we'll that ends well' Thank God, there will be no more poverty and struggling for us. shall have two hundred and fifty pounds at any rate on Monday. am determined not to take the three hundred into con- sideration. We will look upon that as pleasant surprise If 1t comes. This is not particularly brilliant scene for festiv- ity, is 2" he continued, looking round Haven't you another candle or two, Nell2'
 "There are two more, John l; but I did not like to light them, in case"
 Quite right, you dear, prudent girl but now let us have an illumination And, Nell, was afraid to ask earlier but l must own to feeling of curiosity as to whether our dinner tomorrow is going to be vegetarian one or not 2'
 "Well, Jack dear, you know we had only very few shillings Jeff, and what we had we owed; so felt it would be wrong to spend any on meat"
 By Jovel We had come to our last gasp. How much money have you, Nellp Come, turn it all out. My pock- cts have been empty for the last week."
 Here it is, dear but don't take much, Jack"
 "Why, darling2" he laughed. eve shall have plenty more on Monday. Now, then, let us see." He emptied the little purse on the table. Eight and six pence." For a moment he looked grave again.
 "Do you really mean, Nell, that these few shillings were all that stood between us and absolute wantp" "Yes, indeed and the landlady told me this morning she could not keep us beyond this next week unless we paid what we owed her"
 "Then we have reason to be thankful l did not know it was quite as bad as that" He gave slight shudder, then his high spirits again reasserted them selves. "Well, now, how shall we make the most of this? We will keep a shil- ling, that we may not be without penny on Monday morning, and will take the rest out and do little marketing for to- morrow that will astonish you. Mean while, Nell, beg, borrow or steal some more candlesticks and light up while IIn out will not be more than a few minutes gone, my darling"
 Away he went with bright, happy laugh; and Nell, Jeff behind, set to work