Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-11-11
A THORN ON THE STEM.

mer llVlng near weston, Cneshlre. -
was going out myself to take your place
The boys have got half through"
"Oh, never mind, father" said pref
ty Mary, relieving him of his milking
pail and stool in coaxing way. "This
gentleman has been taking my pict.
ure."
"Your picture. Ell? Good evening,
sir. Suppose you are one of them artist
chaps at the tavernp"
The gentleman, referred to, hand
some young fellow, bowed. Yes, he
was one of them chaps" And in
proof thereof he opened his portfolio.
Mary glided off toward the barnyard;
the old man gazed with an open mouth
at her portrait.
That's her, sure enough: and the
cows couldn't be better if you had stuck
them in there just as they be in the yard.
And Trip, too, you can see the bark just
coming out of his mouth. l VOW it's
wonderful! say, sir, ! should like to
see how you do it.
You shall. Come this way"
The artist crossed the road, followed
b. the farmer, and sat down near the
barnyard. Mary sat among group of
mixers, her tongue running fast about
her portrait. while she leaned her
pretty head against the spotted side of
Did Moody, and watched her rapidly
filing pail. Before the work was over
the quick pencil had caught them all,
and grouped them around the center
figure, ike stars around the moon
like a rustic court attending upon their
queen,
well, it beats all!' calculated the
farmer. MARY he's made another
picture of you.'
She came out, smiling and blush
.ng.
Dear me, wanted to smooth my
hair and change my dress before
you took me again. -
I'VE Will let that 60 till l come an
other time sad the artist, gravely,
as he closed his book. 1T is almost
time for me to 90"
Come in for a moment and take a
cup of new milk said the farmer,
heartily THAT what you don't get in
London, Mr..
My name is Curtis Howard, sir.
You are right; never get milk there,
and I'll trouble Miss Mary"
Miss Mary" hurried away to wash
her hands and brush her dark hair
When she came back with the milk, the
artist stood in the open parlor door,
chatting with her father as if he had
known him for years.
Yes, | 90 tomorrow" he said, in
answer to a question, just as she en-
tered; and it was we'll he took the milk,
Or she might have dropped it. He
looked at her keenly; a deep blush COW
cred her face; he sighed and raised a
glass to his lips.
Your health, Miss Mary, and a good
husband to you.
The old man burst out laughing
Mary put the empty glass away with a
small pain at her heart. She had often
been j0ked about husband before, yet
somehow she did not like to hear a
stranger joke about it. She would
ncver marry-not she.
The evening passed swiftly away,
and the village clock struck .. The
artist arose to 90.
"Good-by.' he said, land many
thanks for your hospitality"
"Good-by, sir! If ever you come
his way drop in and stay week or
TWO with us. Mary here will take
good care of you, and you can make
pictures of her to your hearts con-
tent"
Thank you-you are very kind; and
If am near, | shall not fail to accept
the invitation. Miss Mary, may ven
!ure TO ask one thing of you in memory
Of this pleasant yisIt.n
what can / give you, sir?" she
Iaid, in voice that trembled, though
she tried to keep it steady.
That flower, if you will"
He pointed to the rose on her bosom.
She unfastened it, and seeing a thorn
upon the stem, removed it before she
placed it in his hand. He smiled sadly.
Thank YOU. May all your roses be
thornless forever! l shall finish your
picture, and perhaps you may see ii
again some day. Good-by. now"
He held out his hand. She gave him
hers. The old farmer had already made
two steps toward the gate and stood
with his back toward them, gazing out
toward his beloved barn yard and the
fields beyond. Two pair of eyes looked
into each others depths; two pair o.
lips met softly; two hearts gave quick
bound. And then the artist went away
1t was quite time for him to do so.
SO Curtis Howard went away abou
his business, and Miss Mary went tc
hers. Yet often, during the succeeding
autumn and winter, after her work wa!
done. she stood before the two picture.
Changing in the place of honor on tn,
parlor walD, and sighed in an incom
| prehensible way that would have spo
ken volumes to anyone experienced
enough to read them.
And what of him? All that year h,
had worked as he had never worked be
fore, and the end was gained Hi
great picture had given him fam
enough to be the master of pretty lit
tie villa on the Thames, daintly fur
ntshed, and bOasting rose garden wor
thy of lstamboul, pleasure yacht, an,
carriage. There was a dun COW
moreover, in the little pasture at tn
back, and noble Newfoundland do
l>ing at his feet. Also lady's wor
table and easy chair beside one of tn
windows, at which he gazed with