The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-09-11


time to time, as he finished them.
There soon came a day, however, when
he had to confess that although her pic
tures were not finished, the negatives
promised well.
81 think" said Mr. Milford, 1--WE shall
have some very good things there"
ooh, let me see them," Miss Mitchell
answered. al want to know what look
like"
This was going ahead a little too fast
to please Milford.
~ do not think you can tell, ~ he said,
81 would much rather have you wait till
they are quite completed. There is so
much IN the printing, you know"
eyes, 3" she replied dolefully, 81 sup
pose SO, but do let me see the mega.
tivos. Then perhaps l shall know just
how much there is in the printing"
Milford demurred, but finally yielded
She took the negatives and looked them
over critically. When she handed them
back she expressed her qualification with
| them.
Milford kept one of the completed
pictures and guarded it with jealous care
He was, it must be confessed, sometimes
tempted to exhibit it as an example Of
the perfection to which his art could be
carried, but this temptation never lasted
long. lie kept it by him, however, as
much as he safely could At his break
fast, which he took in a lonely way in
his apartments, he had it before him at
the table; and, as often through the day
as he could, he would hasten from his
studio to steal parting glance at it.
1t seemed to him that l. varied in ap-
pearance from day to day. He thought
that he could read in it of Miss Mitch
els changing moods. If the eyes lost
their sad expression, and were smiling,
as they sometimes were, he felt that she
was happy; if they were more sad than
usual he wondered what had happened
to distress her. And sometimes, too,
he would discover it in other signs,
and then he feared that she was i'll.
Alarmed at its growing power over him,
and annoyed that he was so little able to
resist its influence, he at last placed it in
q seldom used portfolio. He was deter.
mined not to look at it again. This de-
termination he adhered to for some time,
perhaps a week or longer. In the mean
time Miss Mitchel's visits had entirely
ceased. Milford knew that there was no
reason why she should call, and he
laughed somewhat sadly as he admitted
to himself that he wished it had been
otherwise. He now resolutely deter
mined that he would forget her, and that
he would not again look upon the picture; /;
but he found himself thinking much more
of Miss Mitchell and of the picture than
of matters needing his attention. One
day he took the portrait from. its hiding
place and examined it carefully.
lie was startled. 1t seemed to him
that the picture was less distinct than it
had been. SO much was he impressed
that he looked at it frequently thereafter,
and was soon convinced that he had been
right, that it was growing less and less dis
tinct. Though interested more than ever,
and puzzled as well, he again determined
that he would think of it no longer,
and replaced the picture in the port
folio. He busted himself so successfully
that he was able to overcome, in some
measure, his longing for the picture and
its original; but for few days only.
Then he fastened again to the portfolio.
There could be no question about it; the
picture had perceptibly faded since he had
last looked at it. 1t was now barely dis
ccrnible.
alt has almost gone" he said to him
self sadly, land she-can it be that she
is going too2'
This thought almost unnamed him.
Now he realized for the first time what
her loss would mean to him; now he
knew how empty would be his life if she
should be taken away.
lie was at this moment called upon by
Il gentleman who surprised him by ask
ing;
"Will it be possible for me to procure
some duplicates of the pictures you re-
Gently took to Miss Mitchell!'
Alilford's annoyance was apparent, but
he tried to say, politely;
81 should be glad to oblige you, sir;
but of course it would not be proper for
me to do as you ask.
"lndeed! Why, may askl'
"You can readily see that cannot dis
pose of any duplicates except at the re-
quest of the sitters themselves.
''Oh, certainly But come at the re-
quest of Miss Mitchell
''Is she not WELL then!n asked Milford
in quick alarm.
''No; indeed, she has been very ILL.,"
81 will prepare them for you at once"
Milford said, anxious now to be rid Of
his visitor as quickly as possible, and
hurriedly making note of the order
given him
''At least" he said to himself, sat
least, shall know about her" ."
Yielding TO his sudden panic, he
seized his hat and rushing from his
studio, with little thought of the crowd
ing carriages, he ran across Broadway,
and then, almost disregarding the people
against whom he jostled in his hurry, he
hastened on to the street in which Miss
Mitchell lived.
As he ran he would not permit himself
60 tell what it was he feared; but as he
neared the house there was the very signt
he had most dreaded, That long line of
carriages could have but one meaning;
and now he hoped only to see her face
once more.
Eluding the grasp of the attendant at
the door he entered the house, and the
sound of music reached him, music that
he lyuayv m no full Of iOv and bona +o