San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-02
MY new MODEL.
BY ANNIE MARY BELL.

NlOltllNlN SIlbih LlN NlSll. W ilN H.
without thinking, | held out to him;
next he looked at my picture, and de-
clared the perspective was all wrong;
then he rushed at auntie, and got en-
tangled i'll her knitting-yaTn. BY the
time he was unwOund his excitement
had slightly subsidized, and so he
noticed Mr.. Ray, who was standing
aside Watching the performance.
Eli said the SignOr sharply.
What are you doing here
"'Only waiting to be recognized.
once had the pleasure of your acquaint-
ance.'
"Pish.' rejOined the irritable SignOr.
what are you doing in this part of the
world?'
"'ITard at work doing nothing! Be
lieve me. my character is as good now
as it ever was; you need not Scruple to
shake hands with me
@'Bless you, I'll shake handsl'-doing
so at once with hearty goodwill. But
mean to get it out of yOu!'
Get what out of meY asked Mr..
Ray, with some alarm. Not my arm,
l hOpe'
mo, sir, but your business down
here;' and the SignOr, who for some
reason seemed very suspicious, nodded
once or twice i'll Il very wise manner;
then, turning his back on his friend, he
spoke to me.
Well, child, how are you getting
on? Independent as ever?'
"'Quite So | answered laconically.
Don't you wish it were Just the re-
verse. that you might have the pleas
ure of saying. Il told you sop
"Umph! How long are you going to
staV hprpp'
Until l tire of it. Isn't it beauti-
full place.
" | dare say; but it ism t natural that
a girl of your age should bury herself
alive down here. What do you say,
Miss Milburnep'
"'Oh, l think Olive is very content,
and that is everything
well, well, it will give her plenty
of time for her painting and By
the-way, thought you never met Mr..
Ra-- Goodness, Ray. what are you
thinking abOut?'-for Mr.. Ray had
stumbled in most clumsy manner
against the SignOr. 'Eh-What?'-as
my model, having begged his pardon,
said something to him in a low voice.
Why sharply. Again Mr.. Ray
spoke, and the frOwn cleared off the
SignOr's face, and he laughed quietly
to himself. so you have only Just
known Mr.. Ray-have you? And you
are putting him on that hOrrid daub.'
VERY true | answered serenely,
being quite used to the Sigmor'S slight
ing style of criticism.
"'And pray what is that he is lug
ging over the rocks in such "a desperate
manner? Is it a DOlSter?-peeping
through his glasses at my work.
,.f ~
cleaning. That's a girl; or rather it
will be when it is finished
"'And who is her model?
81 was thinking of aunt Prissy,' 1
replied quietly.
"'Bahl As if he would look so des-
perate over any aunt Prissy! No dis
respect to you, madam. You had bet
ter paint yourself. You would look
desperate enough then-eh, Mr.. RayY
and the SignOr gave hOrrid little
chuckle. We'll, | pity the person, even
were he my worst enemy, who buys
this pictured never knew before that
Mr.. Ray was bOwlegged; and the rock
is like nothing so much as piece of
Christmas pudding
knowing the SignOr of Id, was
not dismayed by his criticism, but only
too pleased that he did not say that my
picture was particularly fine that it's
idea was vast, and that he discarded
a few superlatives which he employs
when disguised.
by the next day had progressed
so far with my Young Fisher-Lad,.
that did not need my model any Ion
ger, which fact | conveyed to Mr.. Ray,
thanking him at the same time for his
kindness and patience:
$50" said he, on receiving my news.
Does that mean that | am not to come
here again?'
"'By no meansl' | replied warmly,
afraid that he might think that, now
he was Of no further use for me, he
could discontinue his visits. Come as
often as you like
"'Thank YOU and then he added,
with sudden smile, Il won't take ad-
vantage of your offer; you might find
me in the way if took up my abode
here
Terribly l agreed; but auntie is
very patient. | should leave you to her
tender mercies, and take a STROLL
Then auntie would soon be re-
lieved.'
do you know | interrupted, wish
ing to change the conversation, the
piSlDl llllllhS NY plClNllt W III
How proud shall be to have a picture
in Burlington IIOuse!'
"'Eh? by JOVe, the oldest thingp
Mr.. Ray, looking at me with
amused eyes.
What is odd-the idea that my
picture might be hung?'
No! That will be sure to happen;
and then people will recognize me.
Al suppose So assented calmly, IF
your friends see it.
"'They are sure to see it; all the fell
lows gO-prOper thing you know. That
picture will puzzle few of my people,
Miss Dallas
81 dare say it will, if you have not
told them anything about it, l said.
81 could not discover reason for the
expression of amusement in his dark
eyes; but then | did not know his
people, as he called them.
"'Olive,' says auntie, coming into the
room with small basket. would you
mind taking these things to the Dun
newsstand tell them that | shall be
round some time to-day
with all the pleasure in life,' an
swered gaily. i was just longing for
a stroll. | have become quite chilly
standing here 50 long, and / went off
to don hat and jacket.
when came back, Mr.. Ray met me
at the door.
"'IIave you any objection to my es-
cortl' he asked-he was holding the
basket, and auntie had vanished. Miss
Milburne suggested that two young
people could amuse themselves much
better together than apart
Very true of my sagaciOus auntie,'
/ said in matter-Of-fact tone, ignOr-
ing the expressive manner in which he
had delivered amtie's message. She
knows l don't particularly enjoy my