San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-10-01
MY NEW MODEL.
BY ANNIE MARY BELL.

small vessel we were passing, and
which had seen from the cliffs.
Do you know what ship that is?' l
asked.
".That's yacht"
All. Is il? Do you know to whom
it belongs:
Mr.. Raleigh Hayes. belong to it,
lone of the crew. | said cOmpTe-
hendingly. What is its name?' in
quired next.
a. believe your eyes are sharp
enough to find out. was the somewhat
startling answer that | received.
did You say that because | looked
at you just now | asked, i'll my usual
blunt style.
"IIr looked at me for second, with
a slight deepening of his color.
You certainly can stare hard, he
answered iTrrlrvautly. showing an
even row of white teeth in sudden
smile.
a. always do | returned, feeling
more at my ease after that smile. 1
study eyerythingamd everybody | come
across: and. if they are worth the trOu-
bic. | sketch Them
you are an artiSt?'-with a quick
keen glance ut me. DO you sell your
pictuTeSY
a. have sold few; but | have only
Just commenced to do that. am down
here to study and work hard
You ought to succeed he said
quizZingly-'you lose no time
Il haven't touched a pencil yet
"'But you have been studying. Do
you think | should be useful for a
mOdel-a sailor-lad, or something
fshy?
81 had been wondering whether |
could manage To introduce the subject
of his sitting for me in just such a
character; SO | eagerly jumped at the
offer.
"Would your | asked at once.
"'Ilcrr we arcn he interrupted, deft-
ly shipping his scullS as the boat reach
ed lamdiug-pIacr.
lie held the boat steady with one
hand while helping me out with the
other.
"'WnI you be my modcI?' | asked,
pressing the subject home while he
stopped to fastrn the boat securely.
lie finished what he was doing be-
fore he got up and said
"'Do yOu really wish it,
SHOULD | ask You if did not wish
it?' responded somewhat inpatient
"'Very we'll agreed hr.
. 81 nearly cIapped my hands with de-
light.
AUNT Prissy said l should never
find model above mcdiocrity down
hrrpE said trumphamtiy.
This piece of candid admiration was
received with Il Hush and an rmbar-
raised laugh.
81 ought to be grateful
"'Oh, you need not be- interrupted
hastily. When can You sit to mes
"'Any time YOU like To name
"'Will tomorrow morning, about ten
o'clock, do?'
"'Certainly; will be at Anchor Cot
tage at that time. For whom shall
askP'
"'Miss Olive Dallas. And whom
shall see?' | Intercepted in my turn.
There was a pause-evidemtly my
model liked deliberatiOn in matters
great or Small-then he answered sim
ply,
"'Thank you. Don't forget your en-
gagement. Many thanks for my sea-
trip. Good morning.
This | said as paused by the little
white gate which led to Anchor Cot
tage, for Mr.. Ray had accompanied me
to my present habitatiOn.
"'GOOd neutrality-suspicious.. respond
ed Mr., Ray; and this time he did pull
off his cap as | went in.
Il turned at the door, and looked at
the tall erect figure striding towards
the seashOre. i wonder who he Isl? |
thought, remembering his easy bearing
and the last spontaneous piece of civil
ity. | did not believe that the ObjeC-
tiOnable twang was natural, and the
miss seemed quite an after-thOught.
"Auntie luckily had only just come
down as | went in. so she had no time
to grow anxious about me. told her
about my model. and repeated the fore
going conversation for her benefit.
"A very frce-and-easy person. she
observed, when had finished my mar
rative. / am afraid. Olive, you did
not conduct yourself with sufficient
propriety.'
Nov, amtie. dOn't!' | ejacUlatcd
You know how | object to that word.
AS if there could be any improperly in
just speaking to a SailOr.'
Not in merely speaking to sailor,
perhaps my mild auntie rejOimed,
but in allowing such rude remarks to
be made. If those words about the
sharpness of your eyes had been adj
dressed to me. would not have spoken
another word to him.
"'You would have been too much as
founded at his audacity,' | laughed.
But he only spoke the truth. | GER
tainly did stare hard-mOre than |
should have done at a gentleman in the
same position. But / was only think
ing of him as model
"'There, my dear, go away. You are
little Bohemian! | shall see your
model tomorrow, and judge for my
self
"The next morning auntie and /
were both down early, and, after break
fast, | sailed forth. to finish a sketch l
had commenced the day befOre-a lit
tie sea-piece without anything remark
able about it-a rocky headland jutting
out into the sea. into which | had
moved the yacht for the sake of varie-
ty. | had been working diligently all
the morning, and my picture was near
iy finished, when, as | was studying the
rigging of the yacht, saw boat leave
her side and make toward the shore.
Il wonder If my model is in it? |
thought, watching it a moment. and
then hurried on with my sketch. for it
was nearly ten. But alas for my chance
of sale! | had put in few more
touches, when suddenly a large re-
triever came rushing by, and in his
awkward gambOls involved easel and
paints in destruction.
81 jumped up with an exclamation of
annoyance, and the frOlicsOme dog, re-
gardless of the ruin he had wrought,
darted away again, and barked at the
boat, which had just reached the shore.
Only my model landed and the sailors,
after having touched their caps to him,
turned and rOWed back again