Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-04-15
MISS MORRISON'S TIDY.

''See," said Miss Morrison, as she
rose to GO, II have brought something
pretty for your studio"
Langlade watched her while she un-
lied the fastenings of the little parcel.
She had held it on her lap throughout
the sitting, and it had somehow piqued
mis- curiosity When at last, casting
paper and string upon the floor, she
held up to his gaze fleezy fabric of OBJ
Dong shape and considerable SIZE he
:gazed upon it bewildered.
@What-What is it for % ne asked in
his embarrassment.
"Why, it's for you Don't you remem-
Der giving me that charming little sketch
that everybody admired so much? And
so, you see"
EYES, interrupted LangIade, taking
the gift, "and I'm sure I'm very CRATE
ful, absolutely speeches. with gratitude
But what is it used for ?"
"Well, SIR" replied Miss Morrison,
with pretty toss of her head; you
can just do what you like with it. 1t
would do to wipe brushes on, sup
pose. But it was meant to put on the
back of a chair or couch or something
ats tidv-and if you're really as crate
full as you pretend that is what you'll
do with It,"
Can't carry it home and put it in
any own room ~ inquired the diplomat
&c Langlade.
''Of course, but should never see it
"How stupid ami" cried Langlade,
and selfish too. But you probably
know that stupidity and selfishness are
prominent masculine traits. Now you
must tell me just where to put il"
Dear me ~ said Miss Morrison, look
ang around the room. ''You have so
many old-fashioned chairs with hard
wooden backs. Now, out in Shoal
Rapids-ah, this will do and she
pointed to a large easy-chair which
stood by the window and upon which
Langlade essayed to pin the tidy.
There" he murmured, as he deity
placed the scarf. Now it is right, and
L must thank you again for taking pity
on my bachelor forlornness. And the
scarf, too-does it not thank Miss Morri-
son in my behalf most eloquently?" he
asked deferentially, turning for the
presence who had silently witnessed the
little scene.
Yes, it's very pretty" said the silent
one. Both my daughters have very
good taste in fancy work, and have done
a great deal of it. But come, Mary; it's
time to 60"
Qsanglade bowed the ladies to the door
with polite phrases and listened till their
footsteps died away on the sidewalk.
Then he slowly walked to point oppo-
site the easy chair and faced it with
visible effort.
Miss Morrison's tidy was large strip
of canvass covered mainly with back
ground Of vivid green. In front were
rocks of riotous hue partly behind
which stood, painting from the chase,
with one eye cooked ludicrously back
toward an invisible pursuer, seal brown
deer with white belly, the graduation
between these colors being subtly
arranged by daubs of bright and dark
yellow. The animal had a curious zig
gag outline, following the squares in the
canvas in which the crewels were sewn.
The poor creatures eyeball was square
and of great size. The end of its tail
resembled an inverted pyramid of dice,
its outstretched nose was like pyramid
of dice lain on its side, and its ears like
pyramids right side up at last. This
work of art was unfortunate in its date
and environment. A few years earlier
It would have been seriously accepted
anywhere. It would still have found
such acceptance in many places besides
Shoal Rapids, but upon the delicate
-tints and subdued harmonies of Lang
ladies' studio it clashed hiGeously.
Great heavens !" said the young
PAINTER with a shudder. "What a
nightmare in crewels Yes, by Jove!
That's it. A cruel nightmare !" He
was too agitated to derive comfort for
his pun. How | played the hypocrite
and don't believe they suspected it,
either Well, | have one spark of
Spartan courage left. [ did not say it
was pretty. o, Lord Someone's COM
ing"
A rapid though heavy step was heard
upon the stair. Langlade sprang to his
feet, crushed the offending tidy into
ball and flung it to the far corner Of
the room, just as burly fellow artist
with cigar, a rudy face and big
portfolio burst in without knocking.
"KneW there was nobody here" he
painted. Saw Mamma Shoai and Miss
Rapids just leaving. Hullo! What's
that thing you've chucked into the cor
ner ?''
That's only" began Langlade; but
a convenient talsehood not occurring to
him, he ended lamely, 81 was just
clearing the room up little. [ heard
sou coming"
<:Langlade," said the other, solemnly,
come here Let ne see your tongue.
No, confound it, that's Of no use in this
diagnosis. Let me see your eyes. I'm
UNI thought SO. You're IN love,
and it's particular bad case. Perhaps
"A first attack, though one can never tell.
You're irrational. Your nerves are
shaken. lou can't lie even with your
usual"
"Oh, nonsense -