Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-09-13

as profession-well-like literature. it is a
good staff but poor crutch. When there is
the constant pressure of necessity behind it,
it becomes drudgery." She dropped tiny
f1eck of white upon a petal, worked 1t in
painstakingly for a moment, and then con-
tinued:
81 do not paint altogether because l choose
to, but because l must 1t is work that has
always been poorly rewarded in the West,
a state of affairs that is growing more and
more discouraging, now that every body Is
an amateur more or less depraved."
Strangford laughed at the cynical little
speech and the soft pensive tone in which it
was uttered. She had perceived that his APP
pearance and manner were unquestionabiy
those of a gentleman, and, finally relenting,
pointed to a chair and asked him to be
seated
He endeavored not to accept the coveted
invitation with too much alacrity, and drew
the chair forward with precision, where he
could study her face and her graceful poses
without appearing to DO so.
ssThis is a lovely place." he remarked,
looking out upon the stretches OF emerald
fields and the cool dusky vistas of the ad-
Joining woods. Il think" he continued,
shat it is becoming fashionable to profess
a love for nature which few people really
feel There are thousands who live in the
country who are ignorant of the names of
plants. birds and even trees that they have
seen ever since they were born"
THAT is true enough" she replied, land
the summer exodus of city people, on the
other hand, is only in obedience to the law
of self-preservation. They must get away
from heated walls and pavements-those
who can-and they take refuge in the cool
places that are to be found here, IN the
mountains or by the seashore. They come
because they must, and not because all this
means any thing to them. l think the gilt
of appreciating nature must be born in one,
like the real love for books, or pictures or
music II can not be created, although
latent sparks are sometimes famed into
rather cheerful fame"
Her reserve had gradually worn away and
she was by this time, if not cordial, at least
Hospitality gracious. Their conversation
presently became less abstract and after
that mysterious and unSxplainable manner
of strau gers in a strange land, they began
exchanging personalities.
Strangford handed her his card, relieved
that she showed no apprehension when she
learned that he lived in Chicago, and he ex-
planned that the country for miles around
Grandon used to be familiar to him-every
inch of it-when he was boy.
In return she told him that her name was
Margaret Wyatt that she was teacher OF
drawing and painting In girls boarding
school in the South. Her home had been,
| formerly, in ST. Louis. She had come North
| to study and rest and finish a few orders al
| her leisure.
Just at this juncture two figures came
! suddenly around the cor ner of the house
two burly, unkempt and unshaven vaga
bonds, smelling of villainous whisky and a
ragged as scare-crows. They made whin.
4 ing request for food and coffee, and wher
Strangford sternly ordered them to be gone,
skunk away, muttering curses and scowlins
vindictively.
Their was the silence of desertion abou
the premises and the empty house, ant
Margaret, although outwardly composed
was in tremor of fear lest they should re
1 turn. They went down the road, however
without looking back.
Strangford turned to her and said gravely
| .sYou see how unsafe it is for you to remain
here alone, and l hope you will not be 81
rash again. l do not know what nigh
have happened if / had not been here
which was the merest accident You should
remember that the safety and seclasion
the country are things Of the past; there L
no place so remote or inaccessible that 1t
not overrun by these goths and vandals-
the refuse of city workshops and the over
flow Of city sums" He shivered as q
thought Of the peril she had escaped, an,
said decidedly that he would remain unit
the Aliens returned, and she said with muck
meekness that she would be very glad
u 81 am too disturbed to paint any more tn