Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-11-20

f, .Ou are hideous little impoxterl'
'" 'he simpering figure in the fore
sOuna)' And you" Ito the cat,
y simply thing of wood. And
'u not an artist at all If"
nat tat, tatr' came soft knock
at the door. '' A"O'N
lilna started guilty to her feet
q dashed away the wet spray Of
'sars from her cheek.
Come in!" said She
And to her horror, she saw STANDING
'"sre tall, pltasant.faced young man.
!" hat did you please to want ?n
'ala va she, rather timidly
- beg your parlon! said he
out are you the young lady who sent
'note to Palmer & Co., picture deal.
slf My father has an attack of lum-
0'go this morning, and he is unable to
''lle out. He has sent me in his
stead" ' :" mo
Nlnna colorel deeply as she remem-
V'led that IN her elation of the day
OeIore she had actually been so foolish
~ 10 write to Palmer & Co. to send IN
expert TO value her picture for the
hesroom.
tvt,,
+, where is the picture?" he asked.
"Is this it,"
Yes" Minna answered. with an
Odd' choking sensation in her throat.
"But-but-"
, IL was Of no use. The tears would
come She sat down in the cushioned
Slndow-seat, and hid her face in her
bands.
HAS anything happened?" asked
MI raul Palmer, genuinely discon-
certed.
Nothing more than might have
Oeen expected" said Minna, trying to
smile please don't think me foolish!
yesterday | fancied that this daub of
nine was a gem of art. Now my eyes
have been opened. l know that it is
worthless"
Mr.. Palmer glanced scrutinizingly
At the picture.
But" said he, "are you sure that
Du are the best judge?"
"One can trust ones own instinct"
sid Minna sadly. IL am sorry to
ave given you SO much unnecessary
Houble. But l am not rich, and
bought | had discovered a way of
aiming my living. 1t is bitter dis
apointment to me; but l suppose it is
old story to you, Mr.. Palmer"
business he had witnessed many
tHng scenes. but his heart ached for
is pale little girl, with the sunny,
x-gold hair brushed away from her
rehead, and the almost imperceptible
nr in her gait. 1t seemed to him as
he could read her story almost as
ainly as if it were written on her
zee in printed sentences.
suppose you let me take the pict-
re home and submit it to my fathers
1inion?" he said, calmly
Il do not believe it will be Of any
sc, sighed Minna at seems as if
y eyes had been unsealed all too late.
am no artist. l am only a fraud.
b, yes" as he looked inquiringly at I
er, you can take it. The sooner |
now my fate, the better it will be for
le"
So Mr.. Palmer wrapped up the can
as In piece of brown paper, bowed !
quiet "good-by," and departed.
All that day Minna sat in sort of
errlhed suspense, scarcely daring to
feathe. Toward night Mr.. Palmer
ame back.
"WellY' she gasped, breathlessly.
! am happy to say that the picture
accepted said he. 81 have brought '
GU twenty-five dollars for it. And |
'Vuid ike pair of smaller cnes- .
ompanion subjects-as soon as you :
an furnish them" =
'eath. w. f
"ohF she cried, you do not really a
ean 1t. Accepted! and more want v
Oh, it don't seem possible" ii
How soon can you have them u
ady?' said Paul, quietly. "In a b
onth?"
y es' in less time than that" a
ls"ered Minna, half giddy with de- Q
snt. a shall work day and night. S,
., Mr.. Palmer, how kind you arel a
ueed' indeed, you do not know what v
ths means for me-" q
Il Mlhna could have been Temporal Al
clairvoyant that day-if she could f,
'e followed Pagl Palmer back to the y
I. II emporium" where his father ir
II doubled up with lumbago, sat in
'"ing his recent acquisition through in
eye'giass-what would have been
T feelings? :,
raul' said he, curtly, "this thing 81
= you have brought home isn't At
nth shOp-room ?" "
" " hat is the matter with it. sir p"
N,o'hing-nothing n on earth. The
'uOle' said Mr.. Palmer, vindictiye-
IS that there is nothing to it. 1t III
n Negative from beginning to end. re-
: the artist we can find no sale for
nh trashr' 40
Rtff III