The Wilmingtonian., 1886-12-18
A Thnru ON the Siem

out myself tn take your place. The boys
have got halt through"
''Oh, never mud, father" said pretty
Mary, relieving him of his IN king pail and
stool IN coaxing way. "ThIs gentleman
has been taking my picture"
''Your picture, eh2 Gnod evening, Sill
supp 'se you are one Of them artist CHAPS at
the tavern?"
The gentleman referred to, a handsome
young fellow, bowed. Yes, he was one OF
"them chaps" Ard in proof thereof he
opened his portfolio. Mary gllded off to-
ward the baru, a,d the old man gazed with
an open month at her portrait.
That's her, sure enough and the cows
couldn't have been better IT you had stuck
them IN there just as they be in the yard
Aud Trip, too, you can see the bark just
coming out Of his mouth. | vuw it is won
derml. Isay, Sit, should like to see how
you do it."
lyon shall. Come this way"
TIE ARTIST crossed the road, followed b,
farmer, aud sat down near the barnyard
Mary sat am ing a group of miikels, her ton.
que unuing fast about her portrait, while
she leaned her pretty head against the sp, l.
ted side OF old NJ oey. and Watched hnr a
pidly-h ling pail. Before tue wo,k was over
the quick pencil had caught them all, and
grouped them around the centre tilure, lk'
stars around the moon-like rustic cou,t
atte, ding upon their rust queen.
Well, 1t beats all ~ calculated the far
NOR. "Mlry, he's made another picture OF
your
She came out, smiling and blushing.
"Deai me, SIT, l wanted to smooth m.
hair and change my dress before you took
me AGAIN"
"Come in for a moment aud take cup ii
new milk, said tile farmer, heartily. That's
what You don't get IN Lpndon, Mr."
My name is Cu,tis Howard, sir. YOU ale
right never get milk there, aud [ Sll
trouble Mas Mary"
MISS Mary hurried away tn wash her hann-
aud brush her dark har. When she came
back th the milk, the artist stood in the
pc parlor door, chatting with her father
a. lie b ID known him ior years.
Yes, 90 tom ow," he SAID, in answer
to ia question, j iEt as she entered; aud il was
we'll he tuok the milk op she might hay,
dropped it. He looked at her ktenly deep
blush COVERED her face he signed aud raiseu
glass to his lips.
Your health, Miss Mary, and a good hus-
band to you.
The old man burst out laughing. Mary
put tho empty glass away with small pain
in her heart. She had often besu juked
about husband before, yet somehow she
did not like to hear the stranger joke about
it. She would never marry-noL shell
The evening passed slowly away, aud the
village clock struck nine. The artist al ose
tog.
Good bye" he said, 'and many thanks
for your hospitality"
Goodbye, Sir. II ever you come this
way, drop in and stay week or two with
US. Mary here will take good care of you
aud you can make pictures of her to your
hearts content.
'Tnank yOu-you are very kind and if
am near you, shalt not fail to accept the
invitath II. Miss Mary, may venture to as k
one thing OF you in memory OF this pleasat
vist.'
'.What can give you, sirP" she sal in a
voice that tremuled, though she tiled 10
keep it ste Idy.
'That flower, il you will"
He pointed to the rose on her bosom.
She unlastened it, and seeing a thorn upon
the steH, removed it before size placed it in
his hand. He smiled sadly.
'Tnauk you. May all your roses be thorn
less forever. shall fl aish your picture, aud
perhaps you shall see it again some day.
Goodbye, now"
He held out his hand. She gave him hers
Tbs old farmer mad already made Two step,
toward tho gats aud stood with his b ,ck IT,
ward them, gazing out toward his beloved
barnyard aud the fields beyond. Two EYES
gaEed into each others depths two par OF
liys met softly two hearts gave quick
bound. And then the artist went away. Ii
was quite time i him to do 81
So Curtis Howard went away about his
business, aud Miss Mary went about hers.
Yet often, during tue succeeding autumn
and winter, alter her work was done, snt
stood before the two pictures Changing III
the place of honor on the paIOr wail), aud
sighed IN au incompreheusibe way thai
would have spoken volumes to any one ex
perienced enough to read them.
Aud what OF hun? All chat year he hat
worked az he had never worked before, and
the eud was gained.
His great picture had given him fame enough
to be master OF pl city little villa On til,
Thames, daiutily furuirhed, and boaSling
rose garden worthy of IStamb 'ul, lea ur'
yacht, and carriage. There was duI COW
moreover, in the little pasture at the back
and noble New Foundland dog laying a
his feet. Also lady's work table aud eas,
chair beside one Of the windows, at whicl
he gazed witn proud smile. He took al
embrold, red note-case from his b east poGk
ct, and extracted from its leaves the fadel
eff ~ Of OF blush-rose,
''De you see that, Paul. my boy ?"he said
gaily, holding it toward the dog, who wa
Watching hun culiously.
Aud Paul smelt 1t, and looked still NOR
bewildered. What could his master wan
OF s lch thing? Was it not June, and wer
not the roses blooming in the garden? Wn
did he not 20 out there aud gather ires