The National tribune., 1891-03-19
"wm you try meH" asked Darlington,

"win you try mei" asked Darlington
earnestly.
| yes"
Before two weeks from this time Mr.. Gar
| lington fairly haunted the studio. Never be
fore had either of these young persons found :
| person TO whom they could SO freely discus
| their peculiar and broad ideas Of lite. They
/ agreed or discussed with delightful apprecia-
i tion of the others views, the solemn prob
lens Of life. Theology. politics and society
4 Literature and art became by turns their
/ theme Of conversation.
Some wise man has said that talking OF love
| is making love; but these calm and dispas
sinnaie disciples OF liberty and progress ven
| turcd upon that forbidden theme. While they
/ admitted that there might be something gen.
| nine In what was called love they quite agreed
that life devoted TO art or science and to self
| improvement, or 10 the good OF others, was
/ quite preferable Marriage they continued "a
| regard as a failure though from directly
/ opposing causes; she. Of course attriButing
the failure 10 the coarse, tyranuical, selfish
| creature man, and he to the unreasonable cap
riccs aud lack OF mentality in woman.
Ii is worthy of note. however. that they now
were quite careful to aim their sltires at only
the average" man aud woman. 1t was also
an interesting fact that Mr.. Darlington had
prolonged his inte@led visit OF week 10 three
and that for more than week the cows in a
Summer landscape had been standing in out
line in the meadow brook.
Strange" said Miss Brandt looking al her
watch for the tenth time, nearly noon" and
she threw down her brush aud proceeded 10
clean her pallet aud do several other incon-
sequeniial things.
Lunca hour. The lady dalled for some time
between putting on her wraps and giancing
out Of the window. Then. looking very cross,
she went slowly out and shut the door, on
which appeared in big, gold letters George
Brandt. Artist"
From two until four o'clock Miss Brandt
spent the greater part OF the time standing
near the window, aud eagerly and impatiently
watching the crowd below. She was paler than
usual, aud the hand that held the watch trcm-
bled as il with nervousness.
Suddenly there was quick step on the stair,
in the hail.
Miss Brandt snatehcd a brush aud leaned
over her picture.
A quick, familiar rap. an uncercmonious
bursting open Of the door, and Philip CARING
ton stood beside her.
The artist was a woman. "Ah! Mr.. CARING
ton without glancIng UPS it your Good
morning"
Yes. good by; 7 am going"
" WHAT then she looked mp, catching sight
Of her face. white aud agitated.
W nat IS III, she cried. Her brush iell from
her grasp. She did not seem to know that she
yielded her own to his outstretched hands.
" ! have bad news. Ny sister is III, dying
they say. Ny little sister Ray, my pet and
hc could get no farther.
And you are going" Her voice trembled
also.
Yes. al once. That is why ] did not come"
" wondered what kept you"
" Did your Bless you. hate to say good
by"
&" So do like this, and / am so sorry"
" Are you? DO you really carer" and he
hastily brushed the tears from his eyes
Care, Of course Ido." There were tears in
her eyes also.
- am so glad we met, /" he murmured, still
holding her hands.
=" So am /"
And you will let no one take my placer"
mo"
And be glad TO sec me return?"
"Oh! will you retnrn2"
"Yes-nO-that is, not unless you will be
glad We get along so we'll say. will your"
" Yes. ] think So"
81 mast 20, but it is 50 hard to leave you"
No answer
g do you care a. much as Ido2"
" Yes you -you-are-so-pIeasant
" GOu darling!"
+" Mr.. Darlington :"
"No; say Phil"
4" ! can't"
" You must"
"PhiI"
And the rays Of the declining sun cast but
one shadow on the studio wall.