The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-03


~ 30 glowing and
Tx ,,.N lovely, the other SO
It was new thing to Genna to be treated
with consideration and respect, and the
gentle Difference and CT lrtesy Of the young
painters manner touched her far more
deeply than he ever suspected. In all her
rough, hard life no one had ever seemed to
care for any feeling or desire Of her own, and
now she had found one being who never
mocked ut her want OF beauty, who never
sighted or neglected her even for the lovely
younger sisters attractions.
It was terror and yet a Joy to her to be in
his presence, to hear his voice, to meet his
eyes, to have the chance torch OF his hand
on her head or shoulder as he moved OF
changed her position from Time TO time. Her
face seemed to glow with happiness; the rich
color burned in feverish brilliance ON her
dark cheeks, and gave luster to the great
pathetic eyes, and even transfgured the
patient homely face, which he had honored-
so she deemed it-beyond all words by plac-
ing on his canvas.
81 am serry have to hide yQgr eyes in my
pietnFe," he said one day, "They are so
beautiful
The words brought the hot blood leaping
to her face, and filled her with strange and
passionate delight. beautiful p that he
should have applied that word to one attr.-
butte of hers seemed u wonder for credence.
1t seemed TO change her whole life to rap
ture-not with the gra ti1cation OF vanity, but
the marvel that one human being had thought
het Wafthy IL such ptaise, de did not know
what tumuit OF emotion he had reused il.
the bre lst oil his quiet model. She sat there
still and motionless rs statue of marble
her long lashcs covering her eyes, and only
the flush on her dusky cheek and tho trembl,
of her locked fingers betraying any agitation
"Are you tired?" he asked her. as he laic
down his brushes at last, and SO released he
from Tho strain Of heg attitude.
"No," she said, quietly, as she rose with
On odd dazzled look upon her face. 'fTirad
Of resting? Thatwould be strang, indeei,"
'4ou do not often rest, it seems to me.
Why does not Nita help you more with your
household labors?"
''She is different" the girl said gravely.
"Work is natural to me. have always been
used to it."
"And spared her? Is it not so?"
CHE looked at hhinf1 WITH gFaye repuks
"She is so young and beautiful. 1t is not
ftshe should do all the rough hard services
needful here. But she is very good. She
would always help me if wished"
''KneWing Eery' we'll that II yau wished it
ever SO much ycu would not say SO. How
unselhsh you are, Genna!"
She colored hotly at his praise.
"No, indeed" she eagerly disclaimed. 81
do but little, and I am often discontented
and rebellous too. 1t is, as Nita says, a mo-
notonous life and often wearisome."
""WWh}efe is your sister now}""
In the fsds, i think: She told ma abe
was going to help there this afternoon"
i'lt is her turn to sit to me tomorrow" said
the young painter. "she does not make
such good model as you, Genna; she is SO
restless and impatient"
The girl was silent. His words disturbed
and perplexed her, and made her half afraid
of the joy they gave.
He looked at The s9fFened and perplexed
radiance Of her face with q certain wonder
and reverence in his own.
III there were more women like yoN in
the world Genna, he said impulsively, "the
world igoNld be n great deal better taalit is"
"Uh, hush !" she said with evident dis
tress; "do not say such words to me. You
do not know what am"
"No," he said, with involuntary reverence.
II do not know ono half your goodness and
unselnshness; even II did they would only
shame the idleness and weakness of my own
nature"
yours p she cried. looking at him with
you are 50 greatG""
''4gtedti% he laughed mockingly. "If you
were not SO ignorant Of the worlds opinions
child, you would not apply that word to me''
docs the world not heed you, them"
AS yet, no. have no gold TO buy its
smiles-no friends to Influence its iavors.
For the rest, if possess any gifts, which l
doubt often, they are not powerful enough TO
command Success. perhaps even to deserve
it," - -
"Yoq are great to me-" she said humbly
looking at him; With I!stfgl sompTehensioD
OF his words that touched him deeply.
Because you do not know what greatness
really is" he answered impatiently "The
fame, the honor. the wonder of ones fellow
men,"
81 should not call that greatness" she said
softly. as il half ashamed 5f her own temerity
''The praise and wonderland admiration Of
men are dll very wen; but il one knows one
does not deserve themr'
"They are Just as sweet, perhaps sweeter,"
he ansWaTea.
"Not II q man is true to himself Of to the
gifts which God has placed in his keeping
1t is no true falae. n9 real greatness, to OBJ
tain what ans is nos worthy or"
The imperfect utterance of this homey and
unframed Intelligence spoke truth that
struck home to her hearer-that surprised
and shamed him at one and the same mo.
ment.
FHll well he KIN ew that the desire for fam
which filled his brehst and animated his ef-