The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-10

explained to Patty, of which he could
make picture.
"Poor papa wants mountains and
rocks and waterfalls" Patty had
passed the explanation on to dolly.
AS he glanced at the vine, he took
a step toward it with brighter face.
"Ah! never saw it so before" he
exclaimed.
"What, papa9" asked Patty.
"The vine. What an effect Mary,
Mary" he called: "come out here.-
quickl"
Patty's mamma came, and both
gazed at the vine.
"Seel' he said, speaking in tone
of excitement. "Look at the glow of
the sun through those grapes, -red
gold, and the drape of that bit Of
vine beside them. It is perfect. How
came it that never saw it before?"
"Do you mean those grapes, papa9"
asked Patty.
Eyes, DEAR" said papa.
"Why," said the small girl in rapt-
ure, "they weren't there before. l
found them. l was pulling out the
vine to make swing for dolly, and
they were behind the leaves"
81 wonder if l can get it, if l can
catch it." went on papa.
"Shall I bring your paints?" asked
mamma.
ooh, yes, dol' cried Patty, clasping
her hands. "I'm just getting dolly
ready for picture for you, papa. I'm
glad you're going to paint again"
"Thank you, Mary" said papa;
"but I think Twill go myself. | know
better what l want. And | must
hurry, for the suns rays will soon be
off," with another anxious glance at
the glowing clusters. "If only can
get that!"
"Poor papa!" said Patty, as he
went for his paints: she wants those
grapes and he can't reach them. He's
lame, SO he can't get up for them. |
guess he'll want some before he be-
gins your picture, for he isn't well;
and it's dreadfully hard work to
paint, dolly, when you paint as beau
tifully as papa does. Mamma says
So. l can climb"
The small feet in the shabby but
ton-boots were carefully planted first
in one, then in another of the open
ings in the trellis on which the vine
hung. 1t was not easy work; for the
vine had twined itself thickly in and
out, and the toes could sometimes
scarcely find an opening But she
persevered until the lowest of the two
or three clusters which had so de-
lighted her father was within reach.
1t did not come off easily. Again
she had to cling with one hand while
the other tugged bravely at the tough
stem. The cluster had to be dropped
to the porch floor while she worked
with the others. Some of the leaves
were torn off and the little hands
stained with the red juice by the time
papa's step was. again heard. He
was carrying the easel, while mamma
came after with his paints and pal
cite.
"See, papa!" Patty twisted her face
toward him with radiant smile.
Give got them for you. You could
Mt
She stopped, and her face changed
at the sight of his.
80 Patty, what are you doinga
What have you done7"
"Why, papa" the pretty lips pouted
in mournful dismay, 81 was-just-
getting the grapes for YOU
"Stop, little girliew he cried, as
with dropping head and tears very
near the blue eyes she was taking
the first step down. "Mary, do look
at that pose!-the grapes in her hand
and the turn of her head as she
looked down at me. Laugh again,
Patty For goodness sake, Mary, do
make the blessed thing smile again.
just as she did when we came out.
Patty, what help, help to papa,
you'll be if you will stay just SO a
little whilel l want to paint you,
my bonny bird"
All the smiles came back to the
round face as papa began sketching
furiously. And for the next half
hour it must be confessed that NAM
ma and Patty had all they were equal
to. How hard mamma worked to keep
the smile in the blue eyes, the pretty
head turned just enough to catch
ray of the sun on the shining hair.
the chubby hand held out with It's