Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-07-16
HER HUSBANDS SECRET.
nx urLrN ronRrsr anAYEs.

,,use. which lowered up story or so
b;oher than its unpretentious neigh
bors
But Minna "a parsonage who always
made the best Of things had absolutely
oersuaded herself that this was the best
l;obt in the world for her oil-painting.
sThere are no bursts OF sunshine or
stray sunbeams to disturb the cool,
clear atmosphere" said she. Artists
always prefer this sort of light"
For Minna Morton was working
,;rl Too delicate to stand behind the
counter or superintend the busy loom,
,he yet endeavored to earn her own
likelihood by means Of an artists palette
and sheaf Of brushes.
Her outfit mad cost considerable
ann there was no denying that; but
Ross Hale, who stitched Kid gloves in a
lawn town factory, had Lent her the
mooey Cor the purchase aud little Bess
Beaton, the laudlady's daughter, sat"
10 her two hours every day after school
mite satisfied with gingerbread nuts
10 munich and battered rag doll, which
had belonged to Minnas own younger
days, to play with.
And Minna was young and hopeful,
and in the far distance saw herself ac-
,urino name and fortune by means of |
her beloved art.
This morning, however, the room
seemed degree gloomier than it's usual
won't; and when Minna arranged her
canvas on the easel, dim sort OF mis-
giving erept across her heart.
II was a simple picture shat she had |
naintel--a little girl playing on a sun.
secked barn-hoor, with brood OF |
chickens nuttering around her, and a
stealthy cat advancing from beneath |
tangled masses OF hay.
Yesterday the little girl had solmed |
animated with real, actual life: the hay |
hal seemed almost torustle in the wind |
one could almost perceive the sinuous,
gliding motion Of the cat. But TODAY it /
was as il leaden spell had descended
upon everything.
aAm an artist?" Minna asked her
SELF: "Or am ] not 2"
Rosa Hale's stop, coming softly down
the stairs, aroused her from disagree
able reverie.
She hurried to the door, with the al
most invisible limp which had always
haunted her since that unlueky fall of
her childhood.
Rosa" she said, "are youin hurry?
DO come in momentp
And Rosa came in, with her little
brown bonnet neatly tied under her
,hin, and her lunch basket in her hand.
On her way to the factory where real
imported kid gloves, fresh from Paris"
were turned out by the dozen gross u
4 lay.
"What is it, Minnap she asked,
i ,heerfully.
y 'Look at this picture" said Minna,
3 lrawing her up in front of the easel.
Il "Well, I'm looking said Rosa.
"What do you think of itP'
Rosa repeated. why, / think it is
oeautiiulw
"0h, / know that" impatiently cried
NINA. The bits of hay are painted
70 perfection, and the rat. holes in the
barn.A floor are copied exactly after that
,ne in the corner of the cupboard, but
q al that isn't true art, Rosa. Does the
rhid look as if she would speak to you"
A 1.-THE checks in her gingham
apron are painted beautifully said
a Rosa, hmidly.
Minna frowned.
But the cat q said she. us il q
i've cat? Do 20 fancy you are going TO
nee her spring.
'N-no," unwillingly admitted Rosa.
Its lovely cat, but ITS only picture
pi eat! Minna dear Minna,
haven't offended You, have 2"
"0h no." sail Minna, lightly. "But
You have told me exactly what wanted
% know-what was sure OF myself
ioOd-by, Rosal aud mind You don't
bring me any more of those delicious
little bouquets. They're lovely, but
hey cost five cents, and you haven't
my FIVE cent pieces to throw away"
And so, with loving kiss, she dis
PISSED the pink checked little factory
Lul, who was always so kind to her and
len she sat down in the Upas shadow
the dismal wlitewashed wall, and
ned:
"lknew il all along" she declared.
lou are hideous little impostorl" Ito
be simpering figure IN the foreground.
And You" TO the cat) ''are simply a
hing Of wood And / am not an artist
tall II"
Rat, tat, tat" came soft knock at
be door.
Mlnna started guilty TO her feet, and
|asaed away the wet spray Of tears from
!; Der cheek.
Gone in !" said she.
Aud to her horror, she saw standing
here tall, pleas faced young man.
what did you please to want 2" said
be- rather timidly.
IL beg your pardoni" said he
but are you the young lady who sent a
we 70 Palmer & Co. picture dealers
iathcr has an attack of lumbago this
crnlng, and is unable to come out
has sent me in his stead"
Nina colored deeply as she remem-
FRED that in her elation Of the day be.
re she had actually been SO foolish as
write to Palmer x Co to send up an
fpert 70 value her picture for the sales
4 bom
Where is the picture?" he asked.
"a this il?D
! les Alinna answered. with an odd,
\ '1king sensation in her throat. "But
!. was OF no use. The tears would
4 'ns' She sat down in the cushioned
Z .aaoE seat, and hid her face in her
! ms anything happened2" asked
I raul Palmer, genuinely disconcert-
= Nothing more than might have
"a expected said Minna, trying to
4 .e Please don't thiuk me foolish
u s'erday fancied that this daub of
a a' was a gem of art Now my eyes
" y, IN, ceen opened. l know that it is
4, picture.
4 nut, said he, care Won sure that