The Dickinson press., 1894-12-15
CHAPTER Nv,
The Moth and the Candle.

Not one day only, but many did Rufo
Anto come to the house on the hillside,
and his picture grew rapidly and the
faces of the two girls set side by side
on the canvas were lifelikc in their re-
semblance, and admirable foils to each
sther, the n SO glowing and lovely, the
other SO calm and sweet.
And meantime, though 1t was to Nita
that the young painter talked most,
and to whom he gave ready jests and
merry smiles, yet for patient, quiet
Genna he reserved the deepest feelings;
she alone knew of his life his struggles,
his ambitious hopes, and she alone, too
read the weakness and irresolution of
character that married so many Of his
best efforts, and the languid selishness
that was 80 difficult to rouse and SO
easy to minister to.
treated with consideration and respect,
and the gentle Difference and courtesy
Of the young painters manner touched
her far more deeply than he ever sus-
pected. In all her rough, hard life no
one had ever seemed to care for any
feeling or desire of her and now
she had found n being who never
Knocked Mt her want of beauty, who
never slighted nor neglected her, even
Tor the lovely younger sisters attrac-
tons.
1t was a terror and yet Il joy to her
to be in his presence, to hear his voice,
to meet his eyes to have the chance
touch Of his hand on her head or Shout
der as he moved or changed her posi-
ton from time te time. Her face SEEM
ed to glow with happiness; the rich
color burned in feverish brilliance on
her dark cheek, and gave luster to the
great pathetic eyes and eve trans
figured the patient, lomely face which
he had hOnOred-so she deemed it-be-'
yond all words by placing Oh his cam
vas.
II am sorry to have to hide you eyes
IN my picture" he said one day. "They
are SO beautiful
The words brought the hot blood leap
ing to her face, and filled her with q
strange and passionate delight. Beau
that word to n attribute of hers
seemed a wonder too great for Gre
dence. It seemed to change her whole
life to rapture, not with the gratifca-
ton of vanity, but the marvel that
one human being had thought her
worthy of such praise. He did not
know what q tumult Of emotion he
had reused In the breast of his quiet
model. She sat there still and notion
LESS as q statue of marble-her long
lashes covering her eyes, and only the
dush on her dusky cheek and the trem-
BILE of her locked fingers b%etraying any
agitation.
"Are you tired?" he asked h,r, as he
laid down his brushes at last, and SO
released her from the strain of her at
titudc.
mo-" she said quietly, as she rose
with an odd dazzling look upon her face
"Tired Of resting? that would be
strange indeed"
You do not often rest, it seems to
me. Why does not Nita help you more
with your household labors?"
"She is different" the girl said grave
". Work is natural to me. 1 have
always been used to it."
"And spared her? Is it not 500"
She looked at him with grave Tebuke.
"She is so young and beautiful. 1t
q not lit she should do all the rough,
hard service needful here. But she il
very good. She would always help me
u / wished"
KNOWING very we'll that you wished
It eve 30 much you would moi say so.
How unselfsh you are, Genna."
She cQlored lOtlY at his praise.
"No, indeed" she eagerly disclaimeq,
4 do but little, and l an, often disc0p.
tented and rebellious, too. 1t is, IS
Mia says, a monotOnous life and often
Wearisome."
Where is your sister now?"
I'm the fields, l think. She told me
she was going to help there this after
noon."
1T is her turn to sit to me to-mor-
row." said tile young painter. "She
does not make such Il good model as
you, Genna; she Is SO restless and i'm
patient"
The girl was silent. His words dis
turbed and perplexed her, and made
her half afraid of the joy they gave.
Acro0 the ~barrenness and hardness Of