The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-15

No" she said, smiling slightly. II am
that obnoxious persona summer boardern
1--WE belong to the same class then, and
with sympathies and instincts in common,
the relations between US should be friendly"
She bowed attlrmatively and, thus encour-
aged, he asked permission to look at her
work, which she granted with some reluct-
ance
Unfinished as it was, it gave evidence of
merit of high order. He watched her
slender fingers manipulating tae brushes,
and observed, somewhat irrelevantly, that
ito those who possessed a genuine taste for
it, painting must be very delightful occu-
patton" GAS an occupation it is delightful
as a rofession-well-like literature, it is a
good staff but poor Crutch. When there is
the constant pressure of necessity behind it.,
it becomes drudgery." She dropped tiny
fleck of white upon a petal, worked it in
painstakingly for moment, and then con-
tinued:
II do not paint altogether because I choose
to, but because must 1t is work that has
always been poorly rewarded in the West,
a state of affairs that is growing more and
more discouraging, now that every body is
an amateur more or less depraved."
Strangford laughed at the cynical little
SpGtCh anu lIlC SUlb ptuSlNt JOIC III WlllCu IL
was uttered. She had perceived that his ap-
pearance and manner were unquestionably
those of a gentleman, and, finally reenting
pointed to a chair and asked him to be
seated.
He endeavored not to accept the coveted
invitation with too much alacrity, and drew
the chair forward with precision, where he
could study her face and her graceful poses
without appearing to do 50.
This is a lovely place." he remarked,
looking out upon the stretches of emerald
fields and the cool duslSy vistas of the ad-
joining woods. II think" he continued,
''that it is becoming fashionable to profess
love for nature which few people really
feel. There are thousands who live in the
country who are ignorant CT the names Of
plants, birds and even trees that they have
seen ever since they were born"
THAT is true enough she replied, land
the summer exodus of city people, on the
other hand, is only in obedience to the law
of self preservation. They must get away
from heated walls and pavements-those
who can-and they take refuge in the cool
places that are to be found here, in the
mountains or by the seashore. They come
because they must, and not because all this
means any thing to them. / think the gift
of approaching nature must be born in one,
| like the real love for books, or pictures or
music. 1t can not be created, although
latent sparks are sometimes famed into
rather a cheerful flame"
Her reserve had gradually worn away and
she was by this time, if not cordial at least
Hospitality gracious. Their conversation
presently became less abstract and after
that mysterious and unexplaipabe manner
OF strangers in a strange land, they began
exchanging personalities.
| Strangford handed her his card, reliev ed
that she showed no apprehension when she
learned that no lived in Chicago, and he ex-
planned that the country for miles around
Grandon used to be familiar to him-overy
inch of it-when he was a boy.
! In return she told him that her name was
Margaret Wyatt, that she was teacher Of
drawing and painting in a girls boarding
school in the South. Her home had been,
| formerly, in st. Louis. She had come North