Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-11-01

o2ce-and I promised that / would ST
TO him In Florence for the remaining
portion Of the picture. I told him /
had friends there. The truth is | had
made up my mind 70 leave home. /
was sick OF it. and I knew l could gain
a living by sitting as u model 10 the
painters. and
'Hoh. hush!' The shamei, aSonized
entreaty fell across the girls heartless
words with a reproach and AZ agony
that Sleneed her. She saw Genna had
thrown herself dawn on one Of h
satin coucheS-her whole frame con-
vulSed with sohs-her face hidden in
the poor, coarse, work-hardened hands.
Nita looked At her in silence for a
moment. You should not have come
TO see me-" she said. "YOl look at
things SO differently. You always did"
Genna rose 10 her feet and dashed
h tears from her syas. I'VE do look
at things in a different light" she said.
i thank God for il now. 81 may be
poor, and coarse, and ignorant, but at
best my lips have never lied-my hands
have never been soiled by a touch that
would bring dishonor. Oh, Mia, almost
l wish you had died ere l had seen you
as see You to-day! / remember you a
little laughing. toddlng child, coming
to me for every want. looking to me
for every joy. / remember You a
happy, beautiful maiden, the delight
and pride OF my heart. / have thought
OF you always, day and night, since you
forsook me. l have thought you might
be in trouble, need. want, and that
you would surely turn to ME and re-
member NE then; for If you We're lonely
and sorrowfGl you would know ! at
least would welcome. shelter, love you
rs ever. But / find you-ah,
Godr' The words broke off In q cheer
less. choking sob.
Nita only surveyed her with utter
contempt. "Poor-ionely-sorrowful!'
she repeated Did you know me SO
little? Did you suppose l knew my
W value better than that? / had
not been two months in Florence before
l was the rage there. Then Rufo
sought me-poor fool, He babe me re-
member my promise. He could no
complete his picture unless l sat 10
him. The sketch he took OF me l had
obtained long since, and refused TO give
il Il him. l sat again. l had my rea-
sons for doing so. l knew he wanted
his picture sent 10 Rome by n certain
ALJt- AnSEc was 10 hS dA SAAlbAIASA Va
paintings there, / believe. Well, IL was
all completed. He seemed satisfied and
a few judges and artists who came 10
see Ii declared II perfect The night
before IL was 10 go TO Rufo i was out
spending the evening with some friends
and inadvertently left the key in the
door Of his studio. During his absence
some M actuated no doubt by jeal-
ousy Of his dawning success, entered
the room, and taking a brush and col0rS
from the stand where he had thrown
them, added ON finishing touches 10
the painting with such good effect
that"
Mia, you do not mean-you were
never so hase-so wfcked?' cried Genna
in an agony OF fear and horror.
The girl raised her eyebrows in af-
fected surprise. "IY' she said coolly.
"Oh. dear me. no! I am no artist
Fray do not give me the honor of hav-
ing completed your quondam lovers
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii so success
fully, too. that II was o sent 10 Rome
after all. doubtless being too perfect"
GeRua drew a long deep breath. md
looked at her In silence. Speech utterly
failed her. Almost she doubted her
| own senses as she listened TO the heart
less words.
That Is an 7 know Of Rufo," con-
tinupd Nita. II believe he has never
painted since. He has lost all heart.
they say. in his work and is poor and
III, and almost starving.
gro Be Continually