Wichita eagle., 1888-09-09

gif me a hand" he said II will go

gu me q EanQ, ne SaIu- Will go 10
painting again.
"Ohi how can you talk of it so coolly!"
she exclaimed with heartfelt solemnity
and even with horror. Don't you know
that what YOU have done today is very
wicked? Forgive mel" she added in
stantly, remembering how miserable he
had been, and looking with pity at his
wasted face. By the way, she talked
very little of her Johnsonese to this
man; for in the first place, she sup
posed that he, being a foreigner, might
not understand it; and secondly, she bad
TO be so earnest with him that only the
simplest words seemed suitable
What could l do?" he asked. "a
gentleman may not Pc a peggar. Pc
sides, l was not banter at home. Mein
faders were to make of me a parker.
Bainting was merely my fancy. had no
hope of success in it. What could dol"
will you promise to come to take
breakfast with mel"
81 bromise-upon my honor"
Remember, now-upon your honor!
Good night"
He took her hand, and before she could
guess what he meant to do, he kissed it.
Notwithstanding the perfect simplicity
of his manner, notwithstanding that the
action was obviously mere expression of
civility and gratitude. Janet HolcUm,
who had never before had her hand
kissed, blushed again until it seemed to
her that her hair was turning scarlet.
Without noticing her confusion, this
ragged gentleman said sweetly Good
night" and bowed himself out of the
room.
From this good night forward Janet
was burdened and blessed with another
labor of love- She had q suicide to re-
form; soul without hope TO fill with
hope; a man without work TO provide
with work; a lover of lager to satisfy
with black tea; brand to snatch from
ali sorts of burnings. 1t was not only
heavy load to carry, but delicate one to
handle. Her orphan, as she soon began
to call him, must not eat in her room for
fear of Mrs. Grundy. She must content
herself with letting him go to cheap res
taurants for his dinner, and with occasion
ally carrying him a cup of tea to wash
down the dry bread which she knew
was his only supper. AS for converse,
she firmly invited him to see her every
Sunday evening; she sometimes dropped
into his den to look at his work and
cheer him on with it; oftener still, she
evening promenade in the streets.
She was proud Of herself, and yet
ashamed of herself. 1t struck her as al
most indicate that she should support
man, especially a young and handsome one.
Moreover, her labor of love was fearful
expense, compared with her small income.
She was soon obliged to draw on her saw
ings bank deposit, and that had always
IN, +.a4a 1xr+
needs of her girl cousin. At first she
thought of getting up subscription for
her painter, or of interesting some rich
school committeeman in his behalf; but
very shortly she took such fancy to him
that she did not want any one else to earn
claim to his gratitude; and SO she went
on paying out her savings for his necessi-
ties. When winter arrived and fuel must
be had, she bought pit for him, although
he tried to do without. Next came an
overcoat and a pair of mittens and some
heavy undertaking, because she could
not bear to see him walking the streets
with red nose and fingers. 1t was in
vain for him to refuse; she absolutely
forced him to take.
Meantime small profits from his brush.
The picture which she had thought per-
feet really had but five or six days work
upon it, and needed month more. And
when it was done it brought only $25. Il
was of no use for her to scold the picture
dealer for his sharpness, and to endeavor
to move his pity by telling him the tale
of the Germans poverty. The man of
art replied that 1t was not a known name;
that paintings sold in the American
market mainly by force of reputation;
that he had his own living to make, and
that she might take the money or leaveit.
IF he can do figure picture, and do it
first rate" said this rational monster. Il
can be more liberal with him. There are
SO many landscapesi Every American
artist can make landscapes"
On this hint Ernst commenced a figure
picture 1t was his forte; he had simply
tried landscape because he had judged
that to be the favorite genre in America;
he had known that he could not hope to
excel in it. A beautiful group was soon
sketched, representing a scene from King
Philips war, tho interior of a cabin,
lighted by its own flames, beautiful girl
In the grasp of Wampanoag warriors,
father and brother struggling manfully
against her captors, and in the near back
ground, family seen through the shat
tered door, coming relief Of Puritan
riders. Janet Holcum, the patriotic New
Highlander, was delighted with what she
thought already a perfect success, and
wanted TO sell the group as it was.
No" judged Ernst. Il cannot avvord
to waste Wrist impressions. This is the
most divvicult bart of the painting.
though the quickest. But it will need
long time tomake it goot enough. 1t will
need all winter" he concluded, with a
pjteously apologetical glance at Janet.
go on" she said, flushing with the
noble heart beat of self sacrifice as she
caught sight of this mute appeal. This
time l know you viii triumph. We can
live till it is done"
Heaven pless your he replied, taking
her hand and kissing it by force. You
are the noplest woman upon the earth"
The kiss and the praise brought deeper
blush than one often sees on such pale,
sallow face as that of Janet. For we must
come now to q weighty secret; we must
make an avowal which is almost tragic
Not content with lowering this poor
stranger with her worldly wealth. Janet
had already begun to give him the treas
UreS which she had received direct from
heaven All the love which lies hidden
i'll the heart of good and pure old maid,
all the vast abyss of sensibility which e1-
lists in feminine nature that has
found no natural outlet, had in her
case been stirred to the profoundest
depths by the penniless, friendless,
handsome, clever youth whom she had
saved from death. Useless TO struggle
against the infatuation; it had COM
menced too insidiously, as mere human
lty; then 1t had crept on too slyly, in the
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