Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-19


leving that she was talking to II would
be suicide. but not quite certain of it,
II subbose So was the weak voiced,
Indifferent, non -committal answer.
She looked anxiously into the fine face
which was now beginning to reassume
somewhat of its natural color and beauty.
"lf you are suffering under any
trouble" she said, Il trust and desire
that you will tell me of it. Perhaps
can aid you"
II hat but one drubble," he replied.
at is life"
Wicked as the sentiment seemed to her,
the man who uttered it did not seem
wicked, but only pitiable. In the CULVER
ing droop of his lip, and in the fixed but
unseeing stare of his blue eyes there was
a profound anguish and a calm despera-
ton which made her think of the I'M
sounded, motionless waters of the Dead
sea covering ruined cities. She had
never before seen such sorrow; at least
she had never before seen sorrow ex-
pressed with such frankness; and the
spectacle impressed her the more terribly
because of its novelty.
The youth now rose steadied himself
with difficulty, rubbed his forehead and
his eyes struck his hand repeatedly on
dizzy and in pain. Janet felt that femi-
nine delicacy ordered her to leave him;
but she did not dare, lest he should re-
kindle his charcoal. Turning away in order
to gain time for reflection, she found her
self near the easel, and she examined the
picture. 1t was landscape representing
scene on the North river which she had
visited and which she instantly recog-
nized. Although unfinished, she was so
little q judge of painting that she did not
perceive that, as she thought it beauti-
fully done Of sudden it occurred to
her womanly wit and sensibility that
here was something whereby she might
gain hold upon this victim of despair,
and draw him back to a willingness to
live.
did you do this?" she asked. Are
you painter2'
His face frightened the merest trihe as
he caught her look of interest.
Eyes, | am banter, he answered.
LET me turn it to the light for you, he
added, with a courtesy of manner strangely
at variance with his coarse and even dirty
clothing. you see it is not vinished
yet" he went on, looking kindly at her,
as if he detected her ignorance Of art and
pitied her for it.
|
smile of encouragement. Il have had the
pleasure of visiting it. How well you
have represented it,
80 you hat peen there?" he replied,
with just the faintest possible smile Of
qualification. ut is a pewtiful spot
why don't you sell it?'
what! sell it so? 1t is not vinished."
Then why don't you finish it, she
added, trembling with anxiety to make
him promise to do so.
Il hat not time, he said, his gloom re-
turning.
"Oh, but you have time" she urged
eagerly You shall have time"
He eyed her meditatively, earnestly and
solemnly, as if querying whether he
should tell her his miserable story. While
he hesitated this excellent Janet Holcum
was praying in her heart that heaven
would guide him toward goodness and
safety.
See here, he said at last, Il will dell
you something. You hat saved my life.
will dell you why wanted to die. | had
no money. could not get food. l could
not bay for my room. had had drubbles
pevore-over in Chermany. IND now
had not a cent in my booklet. So at last
tires out, und gives it up, | lights my
SHdTCOdl uuu 1 lies uOWn W olccp IL Oul
That is my shtory."
In spite of his strong German accent
he was sublime and terrible and pitiable
The tears rushed into Janet's eyes, and
stepping suddenly forward she caught
both his hands, as if she would prevent
him by force from again attempting his
life.
Il tank YOU" was the simple response
of man whose sensibility and quickness
enabled him to understand sympathy
which had not been uttered.
You must not do this again" sh,
urged as soon as she could speak. II will
see that you have friends. You shall
have time to finish your picture. | will
help you sell it, Have you eaten today
Il haf no abbedide"
She understood that he had not eaten
and the tears shone in her eyes again.
Come down to my room" she said
you must You can take some tea, a
any rate Come down and sit with me, a
least, while eat"
Il am Obliged" he answered as he fol
lowed her But you must excuse m
abbearance, he added, glancing at hi
ragged clothing, stained with grease AM
daubed with paint Il am not fit for tn
gombany of lady"
II am only poor school mistress, sh
smiled. And in you | can respect tn
artist"
He bowed with a courteous grace whic
gave him the air of gentleman in spit
of his wretched raiment.
Arrived in her little parlor bedroom
with this strange companion, Janet Hol
Gums heart futtered. 1t was the frs
time that man had been with her ther
alone. II visitors should arrive, wha
would they think? OF course it would b
impossible to explain that here was gen
tleman whom she had caught trying t
commit suicide, and whom she had under
taken to cure of his self destroying pre-
pensities by means of tea and sympathy
Moreover, what would this man himsel
think of her? She was squeamish abou
situations land here we come to fac
which have not hitherto dared to mer
tion}-wel. she was squeamish becaus
she was an old maid.
1t is curious. but none the less true
n that u-npnan Of 10. ,cnol1v ,npr