Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-08-25

in an excited whisper.
March was too much touched to trifie
with her agitation. 81 try to be" he
answered simply, almost reverently.
"And would you-may would it an
noy yoU-Hettyl ask him. You know
what wapti"
my darlingi'' The cooling, comfort
ing murmur was passing sweet. BE
quiet for one moment, and you can put
what you want to say into words" AS the
fragile form quivered under her hand,
light seemed to dawn upon her. "You
see, Mr.. Gilchrist, my niece loves plot
ures better than any thing else-and she
never has met O real, live artist before"
the corners Of her mouth yielding little.
''She has had great longing to know
how the beautiful things that delight
her are made-how they grow into being.
Is that 1t, dear2"
Hester nodded, her eyes luminous
with tears she strove to drive back.
March struck his hands together with
boyish glee.
81 have It'll l will make q study Of
orchards all a-hutter with pink and
you shall see me put in every stroke.
May 1 begin tomorrow? Blossom-time
is short. How unspeakably jollyi May
we, Miss Alling?'
The proposition was so ingenious, and
Hester's imploring eyes were so elo-
quent that the referee turned pale I'M
der the heart-wrench demur cost her.
"Dearp she said, soothlngly, to the in
valid, cit would not be right to promise
until We have consulted your mother.
Mr.. Gilchrist is very kind. Indeed
raising an earnest face whose pallor set
him to wondering-"you must believe
offering her this greathappiness. But
Hester, love, we must ask mamma"
March had seen Mrs. Wayt in church
with her delicate loneliness. Could she,
with that Madonna face, be stern task
mistress2 With the rise of difficulties,
his desire to paint the picture increased.
That this unfortunate child, with the
artist-soul shining piteous through her
big eyes, should see the fair creation
grow under his hand had become a mat
ter Of moment. AS poor Hester's effort
to express acquiescence or dissent died
in hysterical gurgle, and a shamed at
tempt to hide her hot face with her
hands, the tender-hearted fellow arose
to take leave.
81 won't urge my petition until you
have had time to think it over. But
don't withdraw 1t. May l bring my
sister over to see you both@ She is
| fond of pictures, too, and dabbles in
water-oolors on her own account. Ex-
cuse me-and Thor-for our uninten-
tionally unceremontous introduction to
your notice, and thank you for delight
full half-hour. Good afternoon"
Hetty looked after him, as his elastic
stride measured off the orchard-slope-
q contradiction of strange modification
and strange delight warning within her.
1t was as II young sun-god had paused
in the entrance of q gruesome cave, and
talked Familiarity with the prisoners
chained to the walls. With all her res:
olute purpose to oppose the intimacy
which she foresaw must arise from the
proposed scheme of picture-making,
she could not ignore the straining OF
her spirit upon her bonds.
"Oh!' walled Hester, lowering heI
hands. 81 didn't mean to be so foolish
l will be brave and sensible, but you
know, Hetty, have never had any
| thing like this offered to me before. II
is like dying with thirst with water be
fore ones eyes, to give it up. And
when he said: 'Blossom-time is short,
it rushed over me that never had any
i can never have any. 1 am just @
withered, useless, ugly bud that will
never be flower"
An agony of sobs followed.
my precious onep' Hetty's tears
flowed with hers. "Do l ever forget
your sorrows? Are you listening, DEAR
If possible you shall have this one pool
little pleasure. You must trust YOU
mothers love, and mine, to deny vol
nothing we can safely give. If We
must refuse it is only bearing a littls
| morel"
The going-out of the May day wa
calm as with remembered happiness
but the chill that turks in the imper
fectly-tempered air of the newborn
season, awaiting the departure of the
sun, was so pronounced by seven o'clocl
that Hetty called upon Homer to built
fire in the sitting-room, where she and
Hester were sitting. The children
were sent to bed at eight O'Clock. Mrs
Wayt was lying down in her chambe
with one of her frequent headaches
rallying her forces against her husband
return from the long walk he found
necessary "to work off the cumulative
electricity unexpended by the day
services"
81 belong to the peripatetic school O.
philosophy" he said to a parishione
whom he met two miles from home.
HE was forging ahead like trained
prize-fghter," reported the admirinl
pewholder to friend. Nothing Of thu
sentimental weaklinp about hin!"
March and May Gilchrist, pausinl
upon the parsonage porch, at sound of I
voice singing softly and clearly within
saw, past a half-drawn sash curtain
Hetty rocking back and forth in the fire
light, with Hester in her arms. TIL,
cripple's head was thrown back slightly
bringing into relief the small, fine
featured face and lustrous eyes. He
wealth of hair waved and glittered will
the motion of the chair like spun gold
1t might have been q young mothe
grooming to her baby in a sort of chant
I Il j., IL Il