, 1886-03-17

In welcoming Mr.. Cameron my skirt
caught the foot Of ths skeleton, which
ratified ominously.
What a horrible thing, Miss Wardi
How can you keep such = terrible bag Of
bones in your roomf 1t makes my flesh
creep, l assure you"
Have we not all a skeleton in the cup
board?T 1 answered, smiling gaily. Il
keep mine here; 1t is useful when /
draw"
Would you mind, Miss Ward, taking
it away You may think me foolish,
but this skeleton makes me miserable"
"Oh. OF course, l will :" And taking it
up in my arms, l carried it into the next
room.
Thank you; but rather than that you
should think me troublesome. l shall
give you a good reason. A few years
ago | lost my wife, and hen two BARN
iesr-his voice sank as he said this.
Anything that reminds me much of
death is painful. and as you are going to
paint my picture, better not TO have a
miserable expression"
When he talked, | watched his face,
and noticed the extreme benevolence Of
the expression.
That day, seeing the piano opened, he
asked me. as a great favor, to play for
him.
Il shall sing Highland Mary for
YOU"
He sat behind me, but. as there was a
looking glass in front OF me, l could see
his face, and was surprised at the strong
emotion it betrayed. His face grew al
most white, while tears stood in his blue
eyes.
-Ah, lassie !" he exclaimed, what a
treat to Il ar you sing You have the
voice Of A. ANGEL"
sang -Ye Banks and Braes of Bonnie
Doom"
The handkerchief was in constant
requisition. heard him sob out loud.
You have MOVED me, lassie, to the
core. l can not stand any more; it
brings back too strongly the days of
aud lang syne. 30 you must pity the sor-
lows of a poor old man"
He left me. looking greatly agitated,
and with red eyes, promising to return
in a couple OF days at the same hour for
a three hours sitting.
When Mr.. Cameron came for his sit
ting, he noticed that l seemed detected,
and asked If anything had happened to
annoy me
Il have a headache" What would
we poor women do without our head
aches, for they cover such a multitude of
sins and omissions p
you worry yourself too much over
this portrait. l feel ashamed of the
trouble l am giving you. l had no
notion that participating was 30
difficult
-Yes; 1 am in a Slough of Despond." l
scraped and Stumbled. After an hours
work.
On leaving that day, Mr.. Cameron
held my hand longer than usual, and
sighed.
Poor old mani! I felt sorry for him; he
was lonely.
The next day being Thursday, 1 went
to the National gallery and set to work
on my copy of Andrea del Sarto; his
face seemed more beautiful than ever.
That days work refreshed and com-
forted me.
That evening / received a letter from
Harold, telling me that he had some
thing Important Most probably he was
going to have a living, and, il 80, our
marriage would soon take place.
The next morning a magnificent bou-
quet Of roses was left at the door for
Miss Ward.
How nice OF dear Harold to be so
thoughtful" mentally exclaimed, while
shifting the glorious roses and enjoying
the bright feast of color. The bouquet
was wrapped in silver lace, and round
the stem saw for the first time a card,
which had escaped my notice:
From Mr.. Donald Cameron, with his
very kindest regards
oh, 30 1t was not from Harold But
how kind Of Mr.. Cameron Now, /
must really fiatter him. Taking up the
portrait, l did my very best to put in a
benevolent expression. l mellowed
down the nose, and toned down the
warm coloring of the face, and managed,
in a measure, to give the expression Of
b~enevolence.
When Mr.. Cameron appeared again, l
tancied he looked thinner and paler. /
thanked him for the bouquet.
Would you like another peep at your
portrait 2" l said, rather ~brusquely.
You have iattered me" he remarked,
after watching my performance for a
while in silence; -but never mind
that, | like to think that you nave seen
me in such a kindly light"
shall l sing for you, Mr.. Cameron ?
You have sat long enough for me to-
day"
| went to the piano, and. while | was
looking for some music III the rack, Mr..
Cameron sat down ON the music stool.
Are you going to play for mel l
asked, smiling at him. Il should like 10
near you 20 much"
He did not answer, but turned round
and round ON the stool. hopping the per-
spiration from his face with a scarlet
handkerchief. There was n queer ex-
preston on his face; evidently he was
suffering from a severe attack OF nerv-
BUSINESS.
He whirled round and round like a
teetotum, the stool creaked and groaned
under his heavy weight, his eyes were
wild and rolled about fearfully; | heard
his voice, but II was so husky | could
barely distinguish the following words:
Il am a lonely, elderly man, but that
is no reason why l should not have a
heart, and ] tell you thst"-now the stool
gave a tremendous squeak love you
yes, l do. Win you give me some
hooper A loud knock at the front door.
-oh, Mr.. Cameron, please don't say
anything more ON this subject, it is
really too painful" but, before l could
say another word, Mr.. Cameron was
,prawling on the floor; the stool had
gwen way. Harold walked in, and we