Milford chronicle., 1885-11-20

an expert to value her picture for tn
salesroom.
"Where is the picture?" he asked
as this it?"
"Yes," NLinna 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 hel
hands.
alas anything happened2' asked
Mr.. Paul Palmer genuinely discon-
certed.
Nothing more than might have
been expected" said Minna, trying to
smile. "Please don't think me fOolishl
Yesterday I fancied that this daub of
mine was a gem of art. Now my eyes
have been opened. know that it is
worthlessP
Mr.. Palmer glanced scrutinizingly
at the picture.
"But," said he, "are you sure that
you are the best judgeP"
Zone can trust ones own instinct"
said Minna, sadly. 81 am sorry to
have given you so much unnecessary
trouble. But I am not rich, and 1
thought 1 had discovered a way of
earning my living. 1t is bitter dis
appointment to me; but 1 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,
hax-gold hair brushed away from her
forehead, and the almost imperceptible
limp in her gait. It 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 fathers
opinion2" he said, calmly.
II do not believe it will be of any
use" sighed Minna at seems as if
my eyes had been unsealed all too late.
1 am no artist I am only a fraud.
Oh, yes" as he looked inquiringly at
her, 'you can take it. The sooner 1
know my fate, the better it will be for
me-"
So Mr.. Palmer wrapped up the can
vas in piece of brown paper, bowed
a quiet ''good-by," and departed.
All that day Minna sat in sort of
terrified suspense, scarcely daring to
breathe Toward night Mr.. Palmer
came back.
"Well?" she gasped, breathlessly.
81 am happy to say that the picture
is accepted" said he 81 have brought
you twenty-five dollars for it. And I
would like a pair of smaller ones
subjects-as soon as you
can furnish them"
Minna Morton gave little gasp for
breath.
"Oh" she cried, "you do not really |
mean 1t. Accepted! and more want
edl Oh, it don't seem possiblel"
"How soon can you have them
ready?" said Paul, quietly. "In a
ayes, in less time than that"
Minna, half giddy with de-
light. II shall work day and night.
Oh, Mr.. Palmer, how kind you arel
indeed, indeed, you do not know what
III this means for meT''
If Minna could have been Temporal
lily clairvoyant that day-if she could
laye followed Pacl Palmer back to the
art emporium" where bis father,
lalf doubled up with lumbago, sat
7iewing his recent acquisition through
N eye-glass-what would have been
Ter feelings?
paul" said he, curtly, "this thing
hat you have brought home isn't
Vorth shop-room ?"
"What is the matter with it, slrg
"Nothing-nothing on earth. The
rouble," said Mr.. Palmer, vindictive-
2, "is that there is nothing to it. 1t
] negative from beginning to end.
ell the artist we can ind no sale for
lch trashP'
Bnt Paul Palmer carried back no
lch message. He went and came /
ften. He spoke words of kindly /
Encouragement to the poor young girl, J
nd paid, out of his own pocket, liber- 5
prices for her efforts.
And one day he asked her to be his I
ife, and Minna promised that she c
ould.
Heretofore" said she, Il have al !
ays dreamed Of devoting myself to !
t; but Of late I am not so hopeful :
seems as if my poor piDions are not
rong enough to soar Yes. Paul, If
~ care for ahslplsss lame girl like t
e." d