Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23

ing through the, records as telegraph poles nv
past the traveller. Maisie listened and
nodded her head. The histories of strife
and privation did not move her hairs
breadth: At the end of each canto he
would conclude, "And that gave me some
notion of handling color" or light, or what
ever it might be that he set out TO pursue
and understand. lie led her breSthless
across half the world, speaking as he had
never spoken in his life before. And in the
food-tide of his exaltation there came upon
him great desire to pick up this maiden
who nodded her head and said, 81 under
stand. Go on,"-to pick her up and to
carry her away with him, because she was
Maisie, and because she understood, and be-
cause she was his right, and woman to be
desired above all women.
Then he checked himself abruptly.
"And so 1 took all 1 wanted, he said,
sand had to fight for it. Now you tell. !"
Maisie's tale was almost as gray as her
dress. 1t covered years Of patient toll
backed bv savage pride that would not be
broken though dealers laughed, and fogs
delayed work, and Kami was 1kind and
even sarcastic, and girls in other studios
were painfully polite. 1t had few bright
Spots-pictures accepted at provincial exhi-
bitions-but it wound up with the oft-re-
peated wall, "And SO you see, Dick, l had
10 success, though worked so hard"
Then pity filled Dick. Even thus la
Maisie spoken when she could not hit the
breskwater, half an hour before she had
kissed him. And that had happened yes
terday.
Never mind" said he "I'll tell you
something, if you'll believe Ii. The words
were shaping themselves OF their own ac-
cord. "The whole thing, lock, stock and
no
below Fort Keeling"
Maisie flushed lite. tits all very we'll
for you to talk, but you've had the success
and haven't"
LET me talk, then. 1 know you'll un-
derstand. Maisie dear, it sounds bit alb
surd, but those ten years never existed, and
I've come back again. 1t really is just the
same. Can't you see? You're alone now
and Pm alone. What's the use of worry
ing? Come to me instead. darling"
Maisie poked the gravel with ner parasol.
They were sitting on a bench. 81 under
stand. she said, slowly. "But I've got my
work to DO and 1 must do ii. !"
"Do it with me, then, dear. won't inter-
rupt"
"No, couldn't. It's nv work-mine-
mine-minel I've been alone all my life
in myself, and I'm not going TO belong to
anybody except myself. L remember things
as well as you do, but that doesn't count.
We were babies then, and we didn't know
what was before US. Dick, don't be selfish.
think l see my way to little success
next year. Don't take it away from me-"
Il beg your pardon, darling. It's nv
fault for speaking idiotically. 1 can't e1-
pect you to throw up all your life just be-
cause I'm back. I'll go to my own place
and wait little"
I'll I
of-my lie, now that you've just come
back"
Pm at your orders. Forgive me-" Dick
devoured the troubled little face with his
eyes. There was triumph in them, because
he could not conceive now Maisie could re-
fuse sooner or later to love him, since he
loved her.
ITS wrong of me-" said NLaisie, more
slowly than before, tits wrong and selfish;
but-oh, I've been so lonely! No, YOU mis-
understand. Now I've seen you again-it's
absurd, put want you to keep it in my
life"
Naturally. We belong"
I'VE don't; but you always understood
me, and there is so much in my work that
you could help me in. You know things
and the ways of doing things. You must"
81 do, fancy, or else l don't know my
sight of me altogether, and you want me to
help you in your work?"
Eyes; but remember, Dick, nothipp will
ever come OF it. That's why feel SO self
ish. Let things stay as they are. do want
your help"
''You shall have it. But let's consider. 1
must see your pics first, and overhaul your
sketches, and find out about your tenden-
cies You should see what the papers say
about my tendencies. Then I'll give you
good advice, and you shall paint according.
Isn't that it, Maisie?"
Again there was unhoIy triumph in
Dicks eve.
Its too good of you-much too good.
what will never happen, and know that,
and yet wish to keep you. Don't blame
me later, please"
I'm going into the matter with my eyes
open. Moreover, the Queen can DO no
wrong. 1t isn't your selfshness that i'm
presses me. It's your audacity in proposing
to make use of me-"
Pooh! You're only Dick-and print
shop"
Very good That's all L am. But,
Maisie, you believe, don't you, that love
you? don't want you to have any false
notions about brothers and sisters"
Maisie looked up for a moment and
dropped her eyes.
"It's absurd, butt believe. 1 wish 1
could send you away before YOU get angry
with me. But-but the girl that lives with
me is red-haired, and an impressionist, and
all our notions clash
$50 do ours, l think. Never mind. Three
months from to-day We shall be laughing at
this together"
Maisie shook her head mournfully. 81
knew you wouldn't understand, and it will
only hurt you more when you find out
Look at my face, Dick, and tell me what
you see"
They stood up and faced each other for a
moment. The log was gathering, and it
stihed the roar OF the traffic of London be-
yOnd the railings. Dick brought all his
painfully acquired knowledge of faces to
bear on the eyes, mouth and chin under
meath the black velvet toque
"It's the same Maisie, and it's the same
me" he said. "We've both nice little wills
OF our own, and one or other OF US has to be
broken. Now about the future. / must
come and see your pictures some day.
suppose when the red-haired girl is on the
premises"
Sundays are my best times. You must
come on Sundays. There are such heaps of
things / want 10 talk about and ask your
advice about Now / must get back TO
work"
Try TO fiud out before next Sunday what
l am, said Dick. "Don't take my word
for anything I've told ycu. Goodby, dar-
ling, and bless you"
Maisie stole away like little gray mouse
Dick watched her till she was out of sight,
but he die not hear her say to herself very
soberly-''I'm u wretch-a hOrrid, selfish
wretch. But it's Dick, and Dick will
understand"
No one has yet explained what actually