The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-12-02

new school. Your taste in colo
and in shading is exceedingly good
Your faults will be overcome, YOU
good points strengthened by close
application. Study hard for two
years. AT the end OF that time you
may find yourself famous artist.
He had smiled genially as he said
these words and the girl was de-
lighted.
She would study hard, though, OF
course she never could be famous.
He had only said that to encourage
her. 1t would not do 10 be too
buoyant. So perhaps, it was great
surprise to Sarah Middleton, as it
was to the two little aunts when they
heard the good news, to find her
picture hung Oh the line in notable
art exhibit. She found also that
Miss Sarah J. Middieton's painting,
Eureka, was very creditably
noticed in the daily press. Was she
really going to be famous after all?
The thought lent new impetus to her
work, und when at the beginn ng OF
the next school session prize was
offered for competition she deter
miled to work for it.
Il was a prizc worth the winning
"a choice between $40 o in money
and thee years course in Partisan
schools. She would paint picture of
the dear OH "Meadow Brook Farm"
with its Towering meadows and
meek eyed kline. She did not need
to go back to it to recall all its
beauty. Every nook 4nd dell was
indehbly printed on the tablets OF
memory. Then would it be worthy
the prize? she had already made her
choice-a three years art course in
Paris. Oh, the JOY of contemplating
it!
The picture was begun at once.
All her leisure moments were spent
on it, and the little aunts found time
hanging rather heavily when Sarah
Jane was shut up in her studio trans
lerring bits Of Meadow Brook to
canvas. Bat at last the painting was
almost completed, only few finish
ing touches, and iit would De ready
for judgment. Alreapy Sarah felt the
critical eyes upon it. She uttered a
half prayer as she bent over it that
May evening with her brush in hand
that it might be successful. So
much depended upon it. What a
vista the gaining OF the prize would
open up to her.
There was timid knock on the
floor. A moment later it was pushed
open and Aunt Jane stood there with
the mellow light of the dying day
about her. She held a white envel-
ope in her hand. For you Sarah
Jane, she said holding it Out toward
the girl. She laid down her brush
and took it. The mark was Bell
Haven"-her old home, Never
once in the two years had she heard
from Meadow Brook. The letter
was from an old schoolfellow, Ro-
bert Grant whose fathers farm adjoln
ed Meadow Brook.
DEAR SARAH-Your father has
been ailing Tor some time. 10 day |
called to see him and found him much
depressed. He asked me to write
and ask if you could not come back
to Meadow Brook for a little while
About year ago he mortgaged his
farm for ST. 900 Things have been
going rather bad on the place and
the mortgage is to be torec'osed
shortly This it is, | think, which
weighs upon his mind.
Sarah uttered a sharp little cry.
Meadow Brook to be soldI The
dear old place halloHed by many
happy associations, though an un-
pleasant stepmother held the scepter
there, ",a, cry dear to her
heart. Was ere no way 10 save it?
All like flash the word rang in her
ears. The prize the prize! the !! !!
A thousand dollars. Should she win
it? Was the sacrifice worthy the
labor it had cost her Paris and its
golden dream must be relinquished
that Meadow Brook might be saved.
The mental struggle that followed
ended in victory tor sacrifice II
Meadow Brook Farm should win
the approval ofthe Judge.
Why need dwell on the hopes and
tears. the expec alton and doubt
crowded into the following days.
1t is only needfuito know that Miss
Sarah Middleton was awarded the
prize and that when asked her choice
in the matter she replied in as steady
a voice as she could command:
The money if you please, MI.
President.
The mortgage on Meadow Brook
was not foreclosed. The place is still
pointed out as the property OF Josiah
MlddIeto,, and Sarah Jane who still
lives on her beloved art, has found
golden coin in her purse ever since
the fame OF Meadow Brook and its
story, which somehow got intolprint,
became spread abroad.
SLICK HORSE TRADING.
They were talking about horse
trades. The man with the gray chin