Wichita eagle., 1888-09-09
Il naf but ono drubbse." ne replied.


ing droop of his ifp. and in the fixed but
unseeing stare of his blue eyes. there was
q profound anguish and q calm dsspera-
ton which made her think of the I'M
sounded. motioEless waters Of the Dead
sea covering rnined ciries She had
never before seen such SORROW: a: least
she had never before seen sorrow ex-
pressed with such franhness; and tho
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
the back Of his neck, obviously confused.
dizzy and in pain Janet felt that feIni-
nine dehcacy ordered her 10 leave him;
but she did not dare. hest he should re-
kindle his charcoal Turning away in order
10 gain time fer rejection. she fouad her
self near the easel aid she examined the
picture Il was . landscape representing
a scene on the North river which she had
visited and which she instantly rcccg-
nized. Although unfinished, she was so
little a judge CT painting that she did not
perceive that. as she thought it beauti-
fully done OF 4 sudden IL occurred 10
her womanly wit and sensibility that
hero was something whereby she nigh.
gain hold upon this victim of despair.
and draw him back 10 willingness TO
live
Did you do this?" she asked Arc
you painter
His face frightened the merest trife as
he caught her look OF interest.
Yes, | am q 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 az her.
as If he detected her ignorance OF art and
pitied her for it.
Il know the place" she said. forcing
smile of encouragement. II have had the
pleasure of visiting 1t. How well you
have repress nted it,
80 You haf peen there he replied
with just the faintest possible smile OF
qualification. 1T is pewtiful spot"
why don't you sell itg''
''Whatl sell 1t sol II is not viniShed"
''Then why don't you finish itg'' she
added, trembling with anxiety TO make
him promise TO do SO.
Il hat not time" lie said. his gloom re
turning.
''Oh, but you have time" she urged
eagerly. You shall have time"
He eyed her meditativeiy. earnestly and
solemnly. rs if euerying whether he
should tell her his miserable story. While
he hesitated this excellent Janet Hoicum
was praying in her heart that heaven
would guide him toward goodness and
safety.
Sec here" he said at last. Il viii dell
you something You hat saved my life.
viii dell you why | wanted to die. / had
no money. | could not get food. | could
not bay for my room. / had had drubbles
pevore-over in CherTnsny. IND now
had not cent in my booklet So ~ last /
tires out. ind | gives it up. lights my
sharcoal, ind lies down to sleep it cut.
That is my shtory."
In spite of his strong German accent
he was sublime and terrible and pitiabe
The tears rushed into Janct's eyes. and
stepping suddenly forward she caught
both his hands as II she would prevent
him by force from again attempting LIS
life.
II tank YOU" was the simple response
of q man whose sensibiiity and quiekness
enabled him to understand sympathy
which had not been uttered
urged as soon US she could speak II will
see that you have friends. You shall
have timo 20 finish your picture. ! will
help you sell it. Have yoa eaten today7'
II haf DO abbedidc."
She understood that he had not eaten.
and the tears shoae in her eyes again.
Come down to my room" she said
You nustl You can take some tea, at
any rate. Come down and sit with re. ~
least, while | eat
Il am Obliged" he answered rs be fol
lowed her. But you must excuse my
abbearanee." he added. glsncing at his
ragged clothing. stained with grease and
daubed with paint II arn not 1t Tor Ito
gombany of lady"
IL am only poor school mistress" she
smiled And Ia you j EN- respect the
artist"
He bowed with courteous grace which
gave him the air OF gentleman. in spite
of his ~retcAed raiueut.
Arrived Ia her little parlor bedroom
with this strange companion, Janet II0I-
Gums heart frtterod. 1t was the first
time that a nan bad been With her there
alone. If visitors should arrive. what
would they thinkf OF course IL would be-
AJ.tAD4t ~ fsAEAl LII wv " A. IL
tlctnan whom sho had caught trying u
commit suicide. and whom slc had under
taken TO cure Of his self DESTROYING pro-
pensities by means Of tea and sympathy.
Moreover, what would this MAN himself
think Of herr She was squealish about
situations land hero we eosne To fact
which have rot hitherto dsuea 20 men
tioa|-wel, she was GQueaInish because
size was an old maid
II is curious, bu. mono the less true,
that a woman Of IS Is usually uoro
fsstidious about appearances. and even
aboa. reaiitlcs. than q girl II Is In
rle1ita-Cns, peEAaps sa.Iis
dangers avoided. perhaps soIns scandals
innocently incurred. kabit Of Life which
has become a governing motive. ara tAs
Of this singular phcaoEsc-
non. Wen. Janet Eolcum. being q
years of age, blushcd and was troubled
Ut the thought Of being alone with this
handsome E1an Of %. aItholgh he rnight
be looked upon rs little mare ,ie- Fhsst
from beyond the c-r PRES
emily her natural god seaso. rrnEtb-
ened By perfect uprightneas II heart,
came to Lof euppcrt-
"PshzwI7 sko thought. 4 an cd
enough 70 lie la aunt, boai6es. an saw
iEg him from dczth LEI who w.l bls@e
ue. an do.ag NJ ca.y."
HAVING ha3 lunch tia. day. she Lad
PROPOSED q 70 .sitAozst dinner. and Goa.
saa t11 ight prOYizica for 4
zeal SIC MIGHT Ls.o run CT 10 raaks
purchases. b.: El4s was AFRAID 20 leavs
Ler Tartar To himself .er the yrszsrz.. and,
borrower haste s>e-asa 70 80 tan-e in.
r-JrrsTI- ro2fs plenty. $40 flrurea nsr gss
stove. got her tea 10 drawing ard ret O..
q store Of graham cracke-s better at.a