The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-11

speak gentle word, and to bestow on her his only sixpence, in return for her bunch of violets.
 Never mind the change, my girl; [ wish l could give you enough to get you a good dinner for once but that is every penny l possess in the world this morn ing. If you are here again tomorrow, I promise you treat"
 He passed on without waiting for thanks, the girl looking after him open eyed with astonish nent. She could not know how much her haggard pale face and golden hair had reminded him of his patient Nell.
 Inside the magic doors at lastl What a scene of enchantment and joy to the young man! For the first time he felt that he was really admitted to the sacred brotherhood of painters, and his heart swelled within him with modest pride. He was not allowed to retain his ticket, but that was not a matter of any real con- sequence, he thought, for the exhibition would be open to the public .S . week, and then he could spend whole days there this morning he intended keeping his promise to Nell to the letter, and re- solved not to finger to admire or citicise, however tempting the prospect. So he turned into the first room and began his search, resolutely dragging his eyes from pictures he would have given the world to study, because it would delay him. "I can wait and Nell can't, bless her /; but it is awfully tantalizing. shall look round the top of the rooms first, for l am re- solved not to be disappointed, ho zever badly am hung; having got footing this year, l shall hope for better posi- ton next"
 The temptation to stand and look at the celebrated artists putting the finishing touches to their paintings was almost more than he could resist. These people had been but names to him hitherto, and now there was an opportunity of seeing them ln person but he put an iron check upon himself and pushed on.
 !" By Georgel Felton," said one Royal Academician to another, "there's study for anything noble you like to think of, rom christian martyr to an Apollo. I'd give my ears to paint that young fellow. Who is he; de you know, Smith ?" to one of the porters.
 "No, sir he came in ust now; he is new man evidently never been here on day before"
 By this time John had satisfied himself that his picture was not in the first oom he turned into the second, and continued his search there according to the rule he had set down for himself, beginning at the top, and gradually coming down to the line; but "Aphrodite was not in the second room either.
 His heart beat high with excitement as he entered the third notwithstanding his resolutions to accept any place grate- FullNthat might be awarded to his pie ture, 1t was in this, the principal room, that in his secret heart of hearts he had longed to find it and it was with a sigh of regret, which he tried to stifle at once as unworthy of him that he must go fur ther yet.
 Out of the fourth room into the fifth through the sixth and seventh he went still no "Aphrodite." A strange sinking of dread came over him as he fingered on the threshold of the eighth room, with which he battled bravely, chiding himself almost angrily for his laint-heartedness. The water color gal lery and the room devoted to architect aral designs and engravings lay before him and beyond them the eleventh and last room, in which his "Aphorodite" must be.
 "lf had only turned that way when came in, instead of going through the rooms according to number, l should have been spared this weary search, and Nell would have known everything by this time. How true it is that hope de Ferred maketh the heart sick."
 He walked slowly through the ninth and tenth rooms, some unacknowledged lear loading his feet as with leadcn weights, and causing him to put of go- ing into the last as long as possible. "It must be my having eaten no breakfast his morning that makes me feel so faint and dizzy l had better get it over as quickly as can, and go home and have some food; l shall be all right then; | vas too excited to swallow anything be- l ore started"
 Summoning all his resolution he passed | nto the eleventh room; it was a small l gallery, and however badly his picture vas hung, he must sec 1t at once, he l bought He scanned the walls eagerly. treat God It was not therel
 He reeled, and saved himself from alling by clutching the deor-post. His ! burning, despairing eyes went round and ound the room but the search was in ain. A cold moisture broke out on his 'rew, and for an instant his senses eemed forsaking him. Housing him. elf by desperate effort, he tried to col ect his thoughts.
 Where could the picture be9 It was lot in the last room, that was certain he lad passed it over in one of the others. "l must go through them again. God, i've me strength l" ca moving from he door-post, he found that he could carcely stand. "l will go into the culpture gallery and rest little before 'egin again the air is frcsher there; I an hardly breathe here"
 Staggering away, his eyes curiously dim nd heavy, he almost groped his way into he cool, quiet sculpture gallery, and sank own on one of the velvet touches. Re moving his hat, and wiping the chilly a oscf,xr~ S~ov,> k;. l