The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-13

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made half movement as if to rise.
Hal took up his brushes. Its story"
he said hastily. Sylvia settled down as
he began "0nce upon time" and after
the first few words listened attentively.
Hal told the beautiful story WELL The
situation appealed to his artistic sense.
What legend could more appropriately be
told here, to the accompaniment of muir
muring water? And where should he find
a more appropriate listener? He was not
disappointed in its effect on the girl.
"Why did she say, Il thank thee for
my soul p" she asked, when the story was
finished. "She was happier without. l
would rather be gay without care"
Hal smiled. Exactly what you are, my
child.
Then to Sylvia let us sing,
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling, y
he chanted.
'You like me not to have soul, then?"
observed Sylvia.
Merivale started. 1t was one of her
particularly elflike characteristics, that
trick she had of occasionally understand
ing something he had thought beyond her.
"Sylvia is perfect as she is" he replied,
laughing to conceal his discontinue; ''for
all her swains (of whom let me chief Syl-
via, commend her. :"
"You never answer me, exclaimed the
girl, angrily; "and I'm tired of sitting
still, springing to her feet on the broad
fiat stone as she spoke. Hal groaned, but
submitted perforce. To induce Sylvia to
sit still one moment after she had once
begun to fdget, he admitted, with the
modesty of true greatness, to be a task be-
yond him.
'Let us have lunch" he hastened to
propose, for her restless eyes had begun to
rove the glen, and experience had made
him aware that, unless her thoughts were
speedily diverted, she would be off like the
wind.
Evidently Sylvia had not staid because
she was hungry. In minute or two she
jumped up, after crumbling her bread on
the stones for the birds, and went to the
picture on the easel. After a moment she
smiled, as child smiles when it sees its
reflection in the glass, and Hal came and
stood behind her. Presently his arm stole
around her shoulder while he went on
talking in an even tone, inwardly remark
ing with some trepidation that this kind
of thing was bold move, and wondering
whether it was made too soon. Sylvia
started little, looked down at his hand
curiously, but did not stir.
'Do you think l could ever learn to
paint ?n she asked. "I should like to
make pictures of the birds and the Great
ures.
'Dont learn to do anything so common
place and like an ordinary mortal, Sylvia
The birds would despise you: you would
never get them to talk to you any more" :"
Sylvia whisked suddenly round. "How
do you know they do?" she cried, her
large, bright eyes full of startled dismay.
"I never told you; you are not child.
"No, but wish were, if you would
talk to me, Sylvia" He sank his voice to
whisper, and spoke half banteringly.
'Then l should know how you sit like a
wood-queen under the trees sometimes,
and little feet come softly pattering, and
bright eyos looked up to you from the
ground and down upon you from the
branches and you hear what the merry
brown hares have to say, and you know
what the impudent wave Of the squirrels
tail means, and what the birds talk about
when the day is dawning- -eh, Sylvia ?"
said Hal mischievously.
Sylvia looked at him, and great tears
began to glitter on her eyelashes.
"You have no right to listen when |
talk to the children, she began fiercely,
1'for grown-up people it is nonsense. But
=" she struggled wildly to get free, but
Hal held her and soothed her, till sud
denly she laughed. "What nonsense =
she cried; and then for moment that in
describe expression Thornton had noticed
crept into her face, Hal had also noticed
it before.
'Look, Sylvia p he said, to change the
subject. "Tell me what you think Of this, "
and he took a skeleton from his portfolio
and handed it to her. It was the head of
girl Her dark hair was swept back over
white forehead in loose waves. The face
had kind of transparent paleness, out of
which, under dark eyebrows fringed with
dark lashes, pair Of blue eyes seemed to
burn clearly, almost as though there was
light behind them. A long, white throat
upheld the head, as stalk upholds white
flower In the corner under the sketch
was scrawled, 80 rare pale Margaret"
@Who is she ?" demanded Sylvia
@My cousin"
@Why do you call her that p pointing
to the words underneath.
aTo tease her chiefly" Hal answered.
aShe is pale, though" objected Sylvia.
eyes, but do you think she's pretty?"
@Pretty 1 Idon'tknow. Inever thought
about girls being pretty. Birds are pretty;
and squirrels and flowers"
sAnd girls, too, fortunately for us"
laughed Hal, looking at her.