Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-01-13
miscellaneous.
A THORN ON THE STEM.

"Why. Mary, how late you arc !" ex
claimed Mary Morrison's father, u farmer
living near Weston, Cheshire II was
just going on myself to take your place
The boys have got nearly half through
milking" --aa
"Oh, never mind, father" said pretty
Mary, relieving him of his milking pal
and stool in a coaxing way. ''This gen
tleman has been taking my picture"
Your picture, Ell? Good evening,
sir, / suppose you arc one of them art.
list chaps at the TAVERN ?"
The gentleman referred to. hand
some young fellow, bowed. Yes, he is
one of them chaps" And in proof
thereof he opened his portfolio. Mary
glided off toward the barnyard; the OLD
man gazed with an open mouth at hen
portrait.
That's her, sure enough, and the
cows couldn't have been better it you
had struck them in just as they be III
the yard And Trip, too, you can sec
the brake just coming out of his mouth.
1t is wonderful. | say, sir, | would
like to see how you do it,"
"You shall Como this way"
The artist crossed the road, followed
by the farmer, and sat down near the
barnyard Mary sat among group Of
mixers, her tongue running fast about
her portrait, while she leaned her pretty
head against the side of old Moody, and
watched her rapidly filling pail. Be,
fore the work was over the quick penci
had caught them all and grouped then
around the centre figure. like stars
around the moon-like a rustic court
attending upon their rustic queen.
well, it beats all y calculated the
farmer. MARY, he's made another pic
ture of you"
She came out, smiling and blushing
''Dear me. sir, wanted to smooth
my hair and change my dress before
you took me again
"We will let thai 60 till | come some
other time" said the artist gravely, a:
he closed his book. ut is almost time
for me to GO"
"Come in for moment and take o
cup of new milk" said the farmer hearti.
ly. That's what you don't get in Lon
"My namo is Curtis Howard, sir
You are right; never get milk there,
and | will trouble Miss Mary"
Miss Mary hurried away to wash hen
hands and brush her dark hair. When
she came back with the milk the artist
stood in the opposite sparlor door, chat
ting with her father as if he had known
him for years. va
ayes, | go Tomorrow" he said, in
answer to a question, just as she en-
tered and it was well he took the milk
or she might have dropped it. lie
looked at her keenly deep blush GOV.
cred her face; he sighed and raised the
glass to his lips.
"Your health, Miss Mary, and good
husband to you" s
The old man burst out laughing
Mary put the empty glass away with 0
small pain at her heart. She had often
been jokcd about husband before, yet
somehow she did not like to hear the
stranger joke about it. She would never
marry-not she. ya4 ruaTe4
The evening passed slowly away, and
the village clock struck nine. The art
ist rose to go. 44g
"Good-bye," he said, "and many
thanks for your hospitality"
Goodbye, sir. If you ever come
this way drop in and stay week or two
with us. Mary will take care of you
and you can take pictures of her to YOU
hearts content"
THANK you--you are very kind, ant
if am near you | shall not fail to ac
cspt the invitation. Miss Mary. may
venture to ask one thing of you il
memory Of this pleasant visit"
"What can give you, sir p she sale
in voice that trembled, though sh'
tried to keep it steady.
"That flower if you will"
He pointed to tho rose on her bosom
she unfastened it, and seeing thorI
upon the stem, removed it before sh
placed it in his hand. He smiled sadly
"Thank you. May all your roses b
thornless forever shall finish you
picture, and perhaps you shall see i
again some day. Goodbye, now"
He held out his hand She gave hin
hers. The old farmer had already mad
two steps toward the gate, and stoo
with his back toward barnyard and field
beyond. Two pair of eyes gazed int
each others depths; two pair Of lip
met softly two hearts gave quic
bound. And then tho artist went away
1t was quite time for him to do so.
So Curtis Howard went about hi
business. and Miss Mary hers.
Yet often, during The succeeding al
tumn and winter, after her work wa
done, she stood before the two picture
Changing in the place of honor on th
parlor wall, and sighed in an incon
prehensive way that would have spoke