The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-29

then disappoint her.
So he looked at her drawings, care
lessly at first. then with unconcealed
surprise. After a time he turned to
Maudie.
DO you tell me these designs are
your own?"
Maudie blushed, but said resolutely.
Indeed, sir, they are mine, and no
one but yourself and my sick sister has
had glimpse of them.h
BLESS me, child, how old are you?"
Sixteen last March"
The old gentleman scrutinized the
sketches again, this tine closely and
carefully. Then he said:
Il see you knew what you were capa-
BILE of better than did These" "laying
his hand upon her portfolio, .are
wonderfully well done. Wonderfully
well-done!''
As he brought out these last words
slowly and emphatically. Maudie's
spirits rose as rapidly as the mercury
does under the influence of unclouded
sunshine; and well they might for the
sun of independence and prosperity had
arisen for her.
MIR. Beauclerck offered to write her a
letter of introduction to the firm who
supplied the papeterie, saying that he
thought it very probable that they would
at once secure her services.
She waited long enough to receive
the precious letter, and then hurried
home to tell Alta that she had an errand
which might detain her a few hours,
and not to worry if she stayed even
longer.
She met with success. Her drawings
proved the ''open sesame" to a compe-
tence earned easily and pleasantly.
She could now procure the needed
! delicacies for Alta, which had been out
of her reach before, hoping they might
restore the bloom to her pale cheek.
But the poor girl was suffering from a
wound which struck deeper than a
mere physical malady, SO the loving
sister watched iii vain for the roses of
health.
Now that Maudie was secure of an
independence, she took Alta into her
confidence, and it proved a source of
pleasure to the sick girl to hear the
young artists off-hand description of
the various people she met with in her
business peregrinations.
One day, Maudie took her portfolio to
town with her, as she had prospect of
selling some of her larger paintings to
be copied as chromos. Among them
she had inadvertently left a picture of
her sister, Alta.
The gentleman who usually inspected
her drawings was absent and the senior
partner sent word that he was very
much engaged, but to send in the port
folio and he would see if the paintings
were satisfactory, so she need not lose
her time by useless journey.
Maudie seated herself to await his
decision. She heard the murmur of
voices in the inner office for time, then
an exclamation of surprise, followed by
eager questioning. Then rapid foot
steps, and gentleman entered.
miss Maudie, am | so fortunate?'
As he approached his face absolutely
shone with pleasure; but its expression
changed as Maudle rose, white to the
lips, and motioned away his outstretch-
ed hand.
"Maudie listen to me. Nay, will be
heard. There is surely some terrible
mistake, cruel alike to me and Alta
As God is my witness. my life, since l
lost you, has been a blank. l have not
left place unvisited where l stood a
chance of hearing from you. Do you
not believe me?"
Maudie stood for a moment un-
decided.
He saw her change of expression, and
grasped her hand.
Il knew my little friend had not
turned traitor to me in her kind true
heart. Come, take me TO Alta
''Did you not receive Atlas letter,
telling of papa's death, and our changed
circumstances"
1.-The last letter had from Alta was
dated just before you started for the
seaside on account of your fathers
health. But We are wasting time; take
me to Alta"
'.Alta is not the blooming queenly
girl of your acquaintance. She has
suffered living death in thinking you
false. She is faded, and an invalid"
mo matter-she is Alta. That is
enough for me. My rose of girls! She
would be the same in my eyes even if
disfgured beyond recognition by
others.n
Maudie was convinced.
But my pictures?"
The boy came in with a note from
Mr.. Ogden, saying that he would take
two of the oval landscapes. So Maudie
took her portfolio, ami started with the
impatient lover for the pleasant suite of
rooms which had replaced their one
attic room in which We found them.
Had it not been for your business
ability, Miss Maudie l should never
have discovered your retreat. Think
of it! If we had been separated by q
single partition, and still passed on un-
knowing and unknown! 1t was your
picture of Alta which told me who it
was waiting in my friends Office
Atlas picturer'
''Yes. So that was an accident too!
Well, Providence befriended ME. The
oversight was for my special benefit
Need we say that Alta recovered as if
by magic when hope and love were re-
newed in her heart by the return Of her
lover-faithful and true?
After his explanation, the sisters
wondered that they had not thought it
to have been the true state of the case;
but they had had some bitter experience
of Sights and GOODNESS from apparently
devoted friends after their change of
circumstances, and when time had
passed on, and Ernest Monteith failed
them, too-judging by his silence
Alta had turned to the wall and hoped
for death.
When Ernest came home from his
studies on the Continent, he had gone
to their old home and found them gone.
Ernest Monteith and Alta St. Clair
are now married lovers. Maudie makes
her home with them; but, true to her
Independent spirit, she continues her
congenial labors. One of the pleas
antest rooms in Mrs. Monteith's house
is appropriated to her use as a studio.
Her pictures are the fashion; and she
has orders enough ahead to fill her
time for many months. How true it Is
that our Heavenly Father helps those
who help themselves!