Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-23

than you Tn September"
 Maud-Indeeds
 Godfrey-A fact
 Maud-Well, that's q nice age 1 suppose you'll go into business and succeed finely.
 Godfrey-Own fault if don't. Clicking his tongue on his teeth.) Guess I've got money enough to back me.
 Maud-Yes? * * 7: There, how am 1 getting on with the picture?
 Godfrey-Well, guess I'd be lucky to get as good one again. What do you mean to do with it any ways
 Maud-Do you with its Oh-ah-why, ex- hibit it, perhaps
 Godfrey-You wouldn'J sell it, suppose to me?
 Maud (slowly)-Well, frankly, I would rather keep it myself
 Godfrey (suddenly)-I wish I had one of you!
 Maud raising her voice)-Carrie, please come and criticise.
 Godfrey was certainly very determined. When the sittings were over he requested permission to call at Miss Satterlee's home. Maud was very pleasant.
 'To calls" she repeated, slnilingly. Really. I should like to ask you, but, you see, the house is closed, as we go to the seaside very soon Our receptions are over for the sea- son."
 Godfrey bore his disappointment like a hero Had she not painted his portrait and refused to sell it-even to him!
 My dear," said Miss Fortescue, "I'm afraid your beautiful eyes have worked mischief to that susceptible young southerner"
 "You think so? Dear me-. En be suaIy for him. But he'd suffer in egnoble cause.-the cause of art"
 Godfrey copt;ssHaed to call at the studio
 "I'll have to lock the door," said Maud. Cor I'll never Lave chance to work up the cos Jsd1fle. must finish it this week. Aunt Sarah is complaining because I don't ar range about my wardrobe"
 You'll never want any wardrobe" re- piled Miss Fortescue, Eff you close the door such weather as this. You'll melt or stifle ill short order.''
 ''Then I'll risk his coming and leave it open." And she did.
 When the young ladies arrived at the studio quite early, one CT two mornings later, Miss Satterlee found a letter awaiting her: She sat down to read it, and was so long at the task that Miss Fortescue began to wonder and inquired as to the artiste's perplexity
 "It's a proposal I'm considering" replied Maud.
 Indeed! That's diversion How funny the portrait looks An, if he should see it!'
 Maud drowned.
 ''Td like to burn the old thingr'
 But you couldn't, my love; there's no fire, thank fortune!'
 'Listen to this impudence! P cried Maud, and began to read aloud:
 'sMY DEAR Miss MAUD-Though I have known you so short a time, do not believe you will be wholly surprised to learn that have come to regard you as more than ga friend. In fact have grown to care for you more than ever cared for any girl. almost believe l can never be happy without you. 1 know you know that I am gentleman H even think you like me a little and will soon like me more can offer you name upon whose honor no stain has ever fallen. Of course we are both too young for an imnle- diate marriage, but hope that some day we may become all ill all to each other. I will call to see you this afternoon at 2, and hope for an answer which will make me happy. Till then and always Your own
 GODFREY"
 "sMy dear Miss Maud, your own Godfrey,'" repeated Miss Fortescue. "Ah, my child, did not warn thee? We'll, what to dog" II
 Maud covered the portrait with an impett.- ous movement. "Ill give the presumptuous youth little lesson," she answered. "Mr. McAllister says he has an exalted idea of his powers; that he's been virtually engaged to little girl down at his home for some time past" As o'clock approached Mr. Godfrey's heart beat with confident exhilaration He meant to show his friend McAllister thing or two McAllister had undertaken to remind him of Mabel Clare. He tossed his head as he remembered this: T guess there ain't many girls but would be glad of chance at me,n he said, as he set out for Miss Satterlee's studio He expected that Maud would be shy at first. But gradually she would como around He purchased a large bunch uf roses as he proceeded on his way. 4 Maud was alone-apparently. She smiled and took the roses with many thanks.
 "Pray sit down." sue said "You look quite warm." MT. Godfrey drew up chair.
 "You received my note?"
 "Your note. Oh, yes, of course"
 "And what did you think of the ideaT' he queried, with delightful self complacency.
 "What did I thinks Why, of course, thought you meant it as joke I'm sure I hope you did, because you know, or rather you ought to know, though, perhaps, you don't know, and I'm sure I'd feel dreadful if I thought you'd been led to suppose-the truth is, MT. Waring, I'm engaged-to gem tleman who is now in Europe!"
 Godfrey turned pale.
 'Engaged!" he cried, tragically. "Why, for that matter, so am l. But I'd break any engagement for you!"
 Maud arose, looking very grave.
 "I am sorry to hear you say so I have heard so much about southern h6nor."
 But you won't decide at oncc," he staln- mered "Promise me to think it over."
 Miss Maud regarded him coldly.
 "You must have misunderstood me- There is nothing further to be said, and-will you please excuse mel" She turned toward the other room, and Godfrey had choice but to leave. He was ill such a state of mind be- tween disappointment and chagrin that he left his hat upon the sofa and went bare headed all the way down to the street.
 He had gone half block when he discov- cred why people were staring at him. Then could he go back? Oh, no! And yet the hat was new, and Godfrey was just little close about unnecessary expense. He therefore re- turned and climbed the stairs softly, hoping she might still be in the inner room and would not hear him enter.
 But as he reached the threshold of the studio he was greeted with an astonishing sight. Not only Maud, but also Miss Fortes- cue had emerged from the inner room; they apparently were taking great pleasure in re. garding picture upon the easel, which had been moved from it's customary position.