Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-11

Indeed, sir, they are mine. and no
one but yourself and my sick sister has
had glimpse of them"
BLESS me, child, how old are youP"
sixteen last March"
The old gentleman scrutiniZed the
sketches again, this time closely and
carefully. Then he said:
IL see you knew what you were capa-
bic 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 cmphatically. Maudie's
spirits rose as rapidly rs the mercury
does under the influence of unclouded
sunshine; and well they might for the
sun of independence and prosperity had
arisen for her.
Mr. Beauclerck offered to write her a
letter of introduction to the firm who
supplied the papeterie. saying that he
thought ii 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 dctain her few hours,
and not to worry if she stayed even
longer.
She met with success. Her drawings
proved the "opcn sesame" to 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 check.
But the poor girl was suffering from
wound which struck deeper than
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 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 a prospect of
selling some of her larger paintings to
be copied as chromos. Among them
she had inadvertently left 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 4 useless journey.
Maudie seated herself to await his
decision. She heard the murmur OF
voices in the inner office for time. then
o1n, o. oil hx-
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, l will be
heard. There is surely some terrible
mistake, cruel alike to me and Alta.
As God is my witness, my life, since
lost YOU, has been a blank. have not
left place unvisited where l stood a
chance of hearing from you. Do you
not believe me?"
Maude stood for moment I'M
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 10 Alta"
Did YOU not receive Atlas letter,
telling of papas 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 father 5
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 mattcr-shc is Alta. That is
enough for me. My rose Of girls! She
would be the same in my eyes even if
disfgured beyond rec ognition 10y
others.
Maudie was convinced.
But my pictures?"
The boy came in with Il note from
Mr.. Ogden, saying that he would take
two of the oval landscapes. SO Maudie
| took her portfolio, ANA start ed with the
impatient lover for the plea. ant suite OF
| TOOlHs NIliCH ldt IcIllCOi lllCII Oie
attic room in which we four d them.
Had it not been for your business
ability, Miss Maudic | should never
have discovered your retreat Think
of it! If we had been separated by q
single partition, and still pas sed on un'
knowing and unknown! 1t was your
picture of Alta which told me who il
was waiting in my friends office.
"Alta's picture"'
Eyes. So that was an accident, too
Well, Providence befricnded me. The
oversight WIS for my special benefit.
Need we say that Alta recovered rs i
by magic when hope and love were re
ncwed in her heart by the return of he
lover-faithfu and trueP
After his explanation, the sisters
wondered that they had not Thought j
To have been the true state of the case
but they had had some bitter expericnc,
of Sights and GOODNESS from apparent,
devoted friends after their change o
circumstances, and when time ha'