The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-03-18

rattled omtnously.
aWhatA horrible thing, bliss Wardl
How can you keep such terrible bag Of
bones in your room? 1t makes my flesh
creep, assure you"
"Have we not all skeleton in the cup
board?" I answered, smiling gaily. II
keep mine here; it is useful when I
draw"
"Would you mind, Miss Ward, taking
it -away2 You eaay think me: foolish,
. but This. skeleton @akes sneimiserable.'"
aOh, of course, I will!" And taking it
up in my arms, L,carried it into the next
room.
THANK you; but rather than that you
sholld think neJ Troublesome, I shall
give you a good reason. A few years
ago lost my wife, and then two bairn-
ies"-his voice sank as he said this.
Anything that reminds me much of
death is painful, and as you are going to
paint my picture better not to have
miserable expression"
When he talked, I watched his face,
and l6sieed ths extreme Sbene violence of
the q exsSsreessiohc! esxssreessIiohc eAS - - - '.'''''
That day, seeing the piano opened, he
asked me, as great favor, to play for
him.
Il shall sing Highland Mary for
you .... ,:r.- ...1 .: -,
He sat behind me, but, as there was q
looking glass in front of me, I could see
his face, and was surprised at the strong
emotionit betrayed. His face grew al
most white, while tears stood in his blue
eyes.
"Ah, lassie!" he exclaimed, what a
treat to h ar you sing! You have the
voice of } angel!"
sang "Ye Banks and Braes Of Bonnie
Doom" .... ..... .......
The handkerchief was in constant
requisition. Iheard him sob out loud.
@You have moved me, lassie, to the
core. I can not stand any more; it
brings back too strongly the days of
auld lang syne, so you must pity the sor-
rows of q poor old man." o.
He left me, looking greatly agitated,
and with red eyes, promising to return
in couple of days at the same hour for
three hours sitting tf}4.i. .~
When Mr. Cameron came for his sit
ting, he noticed that seemed detected,
and asked if anything had happenedto
annoy me. ''' e..
u have headache" (What would
we poor women do without our head
aches, for they cover such multitude'of
sins and omissionsD ,t ..HH ~ ...
"You worry yourself too much over
this portrait. feel ashamed of the
trouble 1 am giving you. Il had no
notion that portrait-painting was SO
difficult" : h.!' az go" e"
Eyes; am in Siough,of Despond," I
scraped and scuchled. After on hours
work. +. ,,.-.! .sr ~... ,'...' -
On leaving that day, Mr.. Cameron
hsld my. hand longer than usual, and
sighed. -.' ...1. 49,. IT,. "1.
Poor old man! I felt sorry for him; he
was lonely. -''
The next day being Thursday, went
to the National gallery and set to work
on my copy of Andrea del Sarto; his
face seemed more beautiful tl:an ever.
That days work refreshed and COM
forted me.
That evening received letter from
Harold, telling me that he had some
thing important! Most probably he was
going to have living, and, if so, our
marriage would soon take place.
The next morning magnificent bou-
quet of roses was left at the door for
Miss Ward. ...'. ..' ..'. - 80
,"How nice of dear Harold to be so
thoughtful" mentally exclaimed, while
emitting the glorious roses and enjoying
the bright feast of color. The bouquet
was wrapped in silver lace, and round
the stem saw for the first time card,
which had escaped my notice. 5r.,,.
AFrom Mr.. Donald Cameron, with his
very hindest regards. E." ....rc =. . :
Oh, SO it was not from Hauold But
how Kind of 1Er' Cameron Now, I
must really: fatter him.. Taking up the
portrait, + did my very best to put IL .
Benevolent expression. tnell6wed
dewn the nose, and toned down the
STt-alu COlOlIuS VI s1e &eSSS, s&11o o4a1ksSeNt
in & measure, to give the eSptesaion Of
benevolence. +
when Mr.. Cameron appeared again, ]
fanciaa thb:r hooked thinner ahd paler.
thanked him FOR The Bouquet.
would you like another peep at your
portrait Z" said, rather brlisqaey. .
IYou have fiattered me" he remarked,
after watching my performance for a
while In silence; "but never mind
that, like to think thas you have seen
me in such kindly light
Hshan I sing for you, Mr.. Cameron !?
You have sat long enough for me to-
day."
Invent to the piano, and, while I was
looking for some muaic in the rack, Mr..
Cameron sat down on the music stool.
"Are you going to play for me?" I
asked, smiling at him. II should like to
L