The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-11-28

meath her chin, and her lunch-bas-
ket in her hand, on her way to the
factory where "real imported kid
gloves, fresh from Paris" were turn
ed out by the dozen gross day.
"What is it, Minna ?" she asked
cheerfullv.
"Look at this picture, said Minna
drawing her up in front of the ca
sci.
"Well, Pm looking" said Rosa.
"What do you think of it?"
"What do l think of it ?" Rosa
repeated. "Why, l think it is beau
tiful !"
"Oh, know that" impatiently
cried Minna. "The bits of hay are
painted to perfection, and the rat
holes in the barn-foor are copied
exactly after that one in the corner
of the cupboard but all that isn't
true art, Rosa. Does the child look
as if she would speak to you?"
"The checks in her gingham
apron are painted beautifully" said
Rosa, timidly.
Minna frowned.
"But the cat ?" said she. SIS it
live cat? Do you fancy you are
going to see her spring ?"
"N-no," unwillingly admitted
Rosa. "It's lovely cat, but it is
only picture of cat ! Minna,
dear Minna, haven't offended
you, have II"
"Oh, mop said Minna, lightly.
"But you have told me exactly
what | wanted to know-what l was
sure of myself. Good-by, Rosa i
and mind you don't bring me any
more of those delicious little bou-
quets. They're lovely, but they
cost five cents, and you haven't any
five cent pieces to throw away"
And so, with a loving kiss, she
dismissed the pink-cheeked little
factory-girl, who was always so kind
her; and then she sat down in
Upas shadow of the dismal white
washed wall, and cried:
81 knew it all along" she de-
clared. "You are a hideous little
imposter !" Ito the simpering figure
in the fore-ground). "And you"(to
the cat) "are simply thing of
wood. And | am not an artist at
all If"
"Rat, tat, tail" came a soft knock
at the door,
Nina started guiltily to her feet,
and dashed away the wet spray of
tears from Der cheek.
"Come in |" said she.
And to her horror, she saw stand
ing there tall, pleasant-faced young
man.
"What did you please to want ?"
said she, rather timidly.
II beg your pardonw said he.
"But are you the young lady who
sent a note to Palmer & Co., picture
dealers? My father has an attack
of lumbago this morning, and he is
unable to come out. He has sent
me in his stead"
Minna colored deeply as she re-
membered that in her elation of the
day before she had actually been
so foolish as to write to Palmer &
Co. to send up an expert to value
her picture for the sales room.
"Where is the picture ?" 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 ?" ask
ed Mr.. Paul Palmer, genuinely dis
concerted.
Nothing more than can be ex-
pected, said Minna, trying 10 smile.
"Please don't think me foolish
Yesterday l 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 scrutinizing-
, ly at the picture.
But" said he, "are you sure that
you are best judge?"
"One can trust ones own in
stinct,' said Minna, sadly. 81 am
sorry to have given you so much
unnecessary trouble. But l am
: not rich, and l thought l had dis.
, covered way of earning my living
, 1t is a bitter disappointment to me;
: but | suppose it is an old story tc
: you, Mr.. Palmer"
= Paul was silent. In the course o.
his businesshe had witness many
trying SCIENCES, but his heart ached
for this pale little girl, with the sun
: ny, flax-gold hair brushed away
e.. -. c.nnk nnl r.,l H. nl.....I