The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-11-12

and dashed away the wet spray of
tears from her cheek.
"Come in" said she.
And to her horror, she saw standing
there tall, pleasant faced young man.
"What did you please to want?"
said she, rather timidly.
I--I beg your pardon" said he.
But are you the young lady who sent
a note to Palmer g. Co., picture deal
ers? My father has an attack OF lum-
bago this morning, and he is unable to
come out. He has sent me in his
stead"
Minna colored deeply as she remem-
bered that in her elation of the day
before she had actually been so foolish
as to write to Palmer g. Co. to send up
an expert to value her picture for the
salesroom.
"Where is the pioture?" he asked.
"Is this it,"
"Yes," Minna answered, with an
odd, choking sensation in her throat.
"But-but-"
1t was of no use. The tears would
come. She sat down in the cushioned
window seat, and hid her face in her
hands.
"Has anything happened?' asked
Mr.. Paul Palmer, genuinely discon-
certed.
Nothing more than might have
been expected" said Minna, trying to
smile. "Please don't think me foolish!
Yesterday fancied that this daub of
mine was a gem of art. Now my eyes
have been opened. ] know that it is
worthless"
Mr.. Palmer glanced scrutinizingly
at the picture.
"But," said he, "are you sure that
you are the best judge?'
"One can trust ones own instinct"
said Minna, sadly. II am sorry to
have given you so much unnecessary
trouble. But l am not rich, and
thought l had discovered a way of
earning my living 1t is bitter dis
appointment to me; but suppose it is
an old story to you, Mr.. Palmer"
Paul was silent. In the course of
his business he had witnessed many
trying scenes. but his heart ached for
this pale little girl, with the sunny,
nax-gold hair brushed away from her
forehead, and the almost imperceptible
limp in her gait. 1t seemed to him as
if he could read her story almost as
plainly as if it were written on her
face in printed sentences.
Suppose you let me take the pict-
ure home and submit it to my father S
opinion?" he said, calmly.
81 do not believe it will be of any
use," sighed Minna. at seems as il
my eyes had been unsealed all too late
I am no artist. l am only fraud
Oh, yes" as he looked inquiringly al
her, "you can take it, The sooner
know my fate, the better it will be fol
me-"
So Mr.. Palmer wrapped up the can
vas in piece of brown paper, bowec
a quiet "good-by," and departed.
All that day Minna sat in sort OF
terrified suspense, scarcely daring tt
breathe. Toward night Mr.. Palmer
came back.
"Well?" she gasped, breathlessly.
Il am happy to say that the picture
is accepted" said he. ~ have brough
you twenty-five dollars for it. And
would like a pair of smaller cnes-
companion subjects-as soon as 20,
can furnish them"
Minna Morton gave little gasp TO
breath.
"Ohw she cried, "you do not reall.
mean it. accepted! and more want
ed Oh, it don't seem possible!"
"How soon can you have then
ready?' said Paul, quietly. "In
month";"
"Yes, in less time than that,
answered Minna, half giddy with de
light. II shall work day and night
. Oh, Mr.. Palmer, how kind you are
Indeed, indeed, you do not know wha
all this means for me!'
If Minna could have been tempors
rily clairvoyant that day-if she coul
have followed Pacl Palmer back to tn
cart emporium" where bis father
. half doubled up with lumbago, So
viewing his recent acquisition throug
an -glass-what would have bee
i her feelings?
= Paul." said he, curtly, "this thin
that you have brought home ism
worth shop-room
"What is the matter with it, sir?"
3 "Nothing- nothing on earth. TT
trouble" said Mr.. Palmer. vindictiv,
ly, sis that there is nothing to it.
is negative from beginning to en-
Tell the artist we can find no sale fl
such trashp'
~ But Paul Palmer carried back I
= such message. He went and can
often. He spoke words of kind
= encouragement to the poor young gil
/ and paid, out of his own pocket, libe
y al prices for her efforts.
u And one day he asked her to be h
" wife. and Minna promised that 81
would.
s. Heretofore" said she, 81 have {
Y ways dreamed of devoting myself