Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-02-13

ure Of cat. Minna-dear Minna- I
haven't offended You, have l."
"Oh, no. said Minna lightly. But
you have told me exactly what want
ed to know-what l was sure of nv
self. Good-by, Rosa,-and mind YOU
don't bring me any more Of those deli
cious little bouquets. They're lovely,
but they cost five cents, and YOU
haven't any five-cent pieces to throw
away"
And SO, with loving kiss, she dis
| missed the pink-cheeked little factory
girl, who was always 50 kind to her:
and then she sat down in the Upas
/ shadow Of the dismal whitewashed
wall, and cried:
/ Il knew it all along" she declared.
You are a nideous little lmposter"
Ito the simperng figure in the fore
! ground). and you'' (to the cat)
"are simply thing of wood And |
am not an artist at all, If"
"Rat, tat, tatr' came soft knock
at the door.
Minna started guiltily to her feet,
and dashed away the. wet spray of
tears from>her cheek
Come in" said she.
And to her horror, she saw standing
there tall, pleasant faced young man.
What did you please to want? 2"
said she, rather timidly.
Il beg your pardon" said he.
'But are you the young lady who sent
a note to Palmer & Co., picture deal
ers? My father has an attackyof lum-
bago this morning. and he is unable to
come out He has sent me in his
stead"
Minna colored deeply as she remem-
bcred that IN her elat;on of the day
before she had actually been so foolish
as to write to Palmer & Co. to send up
an expert to value her picture for the
salesroom.
where is the picture?" he asked.
"Is this it,"
Yes" Minna 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 her
hands.
alas anything happened?' asked
Mr.. Paul Palmer, genuinely discon-
certel.
Nothing more than might have
been expected" said NIfnna trying to
smile. PLEASE don't think me foolish
Yesterday / fancied that tlks daub Of
mine was gem Of art Now my eyes
have been opened know that it is
worthless.'
Mr. Palmer glanced scrutinzIngly
at the picture
But" said he. "are you sure that
You are the best Judge
"one can trust ones own instinct"
said Mirlna, sadly. Il am sorry to
, ! have given you so much unnecessary
trouble. But am not rich. and
, thought | had discovered way o.
earning my living 1t is bitter dis
appointment to me; but / suppose it is
an old story to yon, Mr.. Palmer
Paul was silent. In the course o
| his business he had witnessed many
trying scenes. but his heart ached foI
this pale little girl. with the sunny
? hax-gold hair brushed away from he
o. forehead. and the almost imperceptiblt
limp in her gait. II seemed To him a
if he could read her story almost a
= plainly as if it were written on heI
face in printed sentences
e suppose you let me take the piet
| ure home and submit it to my father
r opinion" he said, calmly
2 Il do not believe il vii. be of an,
. use" sighed Minna 1t seems as
i my eyes had been unsealed all too late
am no artist. | am only fraud
1 Oh. yes" as he looked inquiringly a
her. you can take it. The sooner
/, know my fate, the better it viii lie 70
me
so Mr.. Palmer wrapped up the can
vas in piece of brown paper. bowe
: quies ,r.good-by." and departed.
- All that day Minna sat in a sort Q
Y terrified suspense, scarcely daring t
e breathe Toward nicht Mr.. Paine
= came hacn.
- Well" she gasped, brea'h.essly.
+ q am happy 10 say that the pictur
g is accepted said he, -, have brough
+ YOU twer 'y-tire d HRS tor Il, And
would like a pair Of smaller mes