Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-01-29

and vases sOon," said she, hope
fully.
She did not, however To be a sue
cessful artist, one must have an appre-
ciative public, and the public never
came near poor Gladys Maitland. In
vain she decorated the doorpost with
signs; invain she put out her prettiest
paintings and most spiri ed sketches; !;
nobody came to buy. The agencies
represented themselves as overcrowded
when Gladys came blushing in with
g. ecimens of her work, and our little
heroine began to wonder how long
this sort of thing was TO endure.
"Even Rosa Bonheur didn't getrich
all at once,' she comforied herself
by rejecting.
But one day there came a CLEAN of
hope athwart the Cimmcrian darkness
OF her prospects. As she was work
ing at her easel footsteps stumbled
up the semi-lighted stairs, and knock
sounded at the door.
"Is this Miss Msiliand's studio?"
demanded cheerful voice.
"Why," cried Gladys, drawing a
quick breath, "why, Lowell"
dts Gladys" exclaimed Lovcl.
For the young cousins had met cncc
years ago at the seaside, and they
never had forgotten one another.
"Why," cried Lovcl, rubbing his
forehead as if not quite certain but
that lie was dreaming, al thought you
were adopted by some rich woman
here in the cily!"
Art is the only mother that l
know" G adys answered, laughing.
!" ] hope you've brought me an order,
Lowell"
g But I say" porsis'' p 1Gbe-
wildercd law-stulent, '"Why don't
you come and live with Aunt
Barbara?'
"OI, fve fried that," said Gladys,
shaking her head, "and we couldn't
get along at all together
Speaking of Aunt Barbara" said
Lovel, mysteriously, opening paper
parcel on the table" behold"
Half dozen bits of old china fell
out with a ink and clatter.
"Oh!" cried Gladys, sliffening
with horror. It's Aunt Barbara's
painted china! Oh, LoveI, how did
this happen?'
Mr.. Best smolc himself pathctically
on the chest.
"Like George Washington" he con-
fessed, 81 cannot tell lie-it was 1!
| was doing my gymnastics in the
storage-room-Indian war-clubs and
all'that sort of thing, you know
when, all of a sudden, | lost balance
.4.;I tg!E!-ea, oXey the pile of boxes.
Down they went! Aunt Best keeps
'em packed, You know. III case of ac-
cidcnt, and, of course, the china must
needs be under all the rest, and got
the hardest thumps.
"What did she say?" cried Gladys,
with upIifted hands and eyes shining
humidity.
"She doesn't know" Lovel an
swered, with twinkling dimples
around his lips. "Do you suppose I'm
going 10 'fess' before I'm obliged to?
| scIz'd Il paltern-cup-broken in not
more than six picces-and fled franti-
cally 10 the nearest china-shop. They
recommended me-herc. TO Miss
Maitland, No.-Sixth avenue. But
never dreamed that was coming to
my o!d playmate? Now, Gladys,
am at your mercy. Can these ruins
be replaced or can they not?'
Gladys frowncd, half closed her
lovely limpid eyes, pursed up her lips
in the intensity of her attention, and
fiaally nodded her head.
Yes" she said. ''But it will be,
oh, so expensive! First, we must or
der the china manufactured in just
that outre, ancient shape; then il must
be painted, piece by piece"
"Let MS hope, said Lovel earnestly,
''that there will be no grand family
festival to use the china before"
"Aunt Barbara never uses it," said
Gladys. "She only unpacks it at in
tervals, to dream over the grandeur
of her ancestors. Courage, Lovel;
think we shall save you yet!'
"But, Gladys" said the young man,
wistfuliy, "mayn't tell Aunt Bar
bara that you are here, alone? l am
quite sure she would invite you to her
house, if"
Gladys colored to the very roots of
her hair.
"If you do, Lowell" she said, II
will forgive you. No. We neither
of us wish 10 see each other. Let
things remain as they are"
"Bnt may come and see how the
china gets on?'
"Oh. yes" said Gladys, brighten.
ing, 'yOu may come. But, mind,
not a word TO Aunt Barbara"