New-York tribune., 1891-03-01
ROWENY IN BOSTON.
III
MAJOR STANGER.

Her companion reached out long, slim hand
with an imperative motion and took the sheet
But she did not say anything. though Rowcna
stood looking at her with dilated, hoping and
fearing eyes.
Every sketch was taken out and gazcd upon
slowly and keeny. and in silence.
At last Rowcna could bear it no longer She
walked to the easel where this woman had been
at work.
Presently voice close beside her asked
What do you think of it?"
Il think it is bad said Rowcna.
And you dare to tell me so?"
why not tell you so, since you asked me? ?"
The country girl turned an astOniShcd glance
at her interlOcutor, who answered il angrily. Mr.
Alcstrec does not say it is bad" she remarked.
Perhaps it isn't: only think it is" responded
Rowena humbly. and l am very ignorant"
The other woman's face flushed and paed.
Every movement of hers had certain graceful,
final decision in il. and was rapid without being
hurried. She took up brush and drew it across
the landscape in OIL which was almost finished, on
her easel A broad line Of crimson paint was leit
on the picture. The action seemed TO have DIS
sipated her anger She turned with a slnSulary
sweet smile to the girl who was close TO her
Il knew it was bad all the time. I'm not
1901, she SalQ, nut all my lIlcHuS pl"iS'" ~
They said must stick to my latest fad 1 was
born to be an artist and all that rot, You nave
told me the truth you can't lie. / might better
have stuck to theosophy. What do you think OF
theosophy, Miss ---?"
"Tutte," said Rowena, and as she said that
word vivid vision of Mrs. Jarvis. and her
mourning gown, and her hair rose before her.
Miss Tuttle, said her companion promptly
"What idea have you formed about theosophy p
Il don't know what it is" replied the girl
blushing with shame.
Nobody Knows what it is" the unex-
pected rejoinder. but it is sometimes entertain
ing to talk as if we knew whole lot of us
meet here and there and talk. and talk. 1t is
great fun at first. but afterward it gets to be a
bore. But one must do something, or what's the
use of living in Borston?"
The speaker was standing directly in front of
Rowena. She spoke in voice that was not high
or loud. but that could be heard with peculiar
dstinctness, each word being like a perfectly
formed bit of marble suddenly Clipped off and
sent out on its mission. 1t was evidently a habit,
long cultivated, that she should speak thus.
ROwena tried to listen understandingly, but
she was waiting for the master to come and she
was wishing she dared TO ask what this stranger
had thought of her sketches But, of course, she
had not liked them. she would have told her So
just then the great door of the studio changed
again. large man in fur coat entered brisky
There is Allestrce," said the woman in an
undertOne to Rowena. who began TO tremble
pitiably. She gathered her sketches hastily into
her arms and hurried out toward the door
Allestrce saw her coming. and was sorry for her
Another poor devil who tfinks she can paint. !"
he said to himself as he threw of his cap and
coat She Stood and waited
"Well?" he said
will you look at these?"
Rowena now held herself straight and stiff.
She was thinking she could go home. Her father
and mother would be glad to see her. She could
get school.
The man glanced to where the other woman
Stood far away near her easel.
Good morning. Miss Phillipps" he said
ROwena thought he dreaded to look at her
work. Again she laid TO herself Il can 90 home
If l can't get a school, can do slop work"
Aiestree threw himself down in a long chair
and put his legs on the footrest.
Give them TO me, please he said.
She laid her armful across his knees, He took
up sheet.
"IT'm," he said.
He took Zip another sheet. Again he said "II'm. .
He~had so much beard on his face that the girl
could not make out one expression more than an
other and at last she lowered her eyes and waited
in despair.
Finally he turned himself sideways and looked
OF her.
Did you want me to give you lessons?"
Z" "Yes-if you think"
well make beginning. Come tomorrow at
H."
lie held out her sketches to her. She took
them mechanically. 1t was all she could do not
TO cry with relief and JOY. Since Allestrec would
teach her there must be some promise in her work,
She did not know how she got to the door. As
She trying to open it Miss Phillips walked
quickly to her.
/" Here is your portfolio" she said. With two
or three deft movements she fastened the sketches
In place.
Wait moment outside for me-" she said,
and opened tie door for Rowena, who stepped
without, and stood, dazed and tremulous. She
thought Of Uncle Reuben, and hoped she should
soon git to runnih'."
The door swung open again, and Rowena was
joined by Miss Phillips in heavy furs.
" 1t occurred to me that | could take you home,
She said My carriage will be here Y0u
seemed so overcome" The two went down the
stairs You were afraid Allestree would not
take you?"
Yes"
:" lie would not if he had not seen YOU had
some talent. It's my opinion that YOU have a
great deal. lie took me becausc-I am Miss Phil
lipps' with little laugh. Heres the carriage.
Get in. Where do you live? Iludson-st.. driver
Miss Phillips sat down beside Rowcna. who
was almost sure her senses were leaving her. But
through the whole time shrewd good sense she
had enabled her to guess that her companion
was a person who had whims and who could
afford TO indulge them.
Z" | shall see sou at the studio" remarked Miss
Phillips.
But you have spoiled your picture
spoiled that long ago. / shall begin another
How old are you?"
Almost twenty-five"
And I'm thirty. suppose you are very
poor"