Middletown transcript., 1894-06-30
YOnup artist,

"Why. what do you want?" she
asked.
81 wanted to sketch you just as you
were at that moment, leaning on one
elbow and reading your letter with a
little-a little-well, a rather PEN
sive expression" answered Mr.. Davis,
"Oh, Pm sorry l spoiled it. If you
really want me to, III try to assume
the position again. There's nothing l
like so much as the proud conscious
ness that l am forwarding the progress
of art. Shall try to get the pensive
expression again."
sIfyou will," said the artist eagerly,
ignoring the young woman's air of
friendly badinage. "That's it. Drop
your elbow on the step above; lean
your cheek on your left band; let the
letter lie in your lap. Good! But you
haven't the right expression at all.
You're not in the least pensive any
longer. You look amused. No,
no; that isn't pensiveness you're as
suming now; it is positive lugubri-
business. Never mind. The pose is all
right, ard Ill catch the pensiveness
some other morning when the mail
comes in"
In few minutes the young man was
so busily engaged in transferring Miss
Helen Goodrich to his sketch-book
that he had forgotten her existence ex-
cept as sketchable object. Helen re-
allied itquiekly enough, and she smiled
a little to herself. She was not used to
being ignored, but she didn't dislike the
sensation when the person oblivious to
her charms was all entusastic, art
absorbed young man. She rather liked
him, and was glad that art had driven
him to the little country place to which
her doctor and economy had b,nished
her.
She was thinking these Things Idly
and noting the broad cracks in the
piazza floor while he sketched. Mr..
Davis had never happened to be struck
with his fellow-boarder' picturesque
ness until that morning, and conse-
uuently he had never noticed before
that she had charming curves, piquant
face and the loveliest, most tendril-like
brown hair in the world. These things
occurred to him forciably enough now,
however, and he found himself wonder
ing what there was in the letter that
had called such look Of seriousness
into the hazel eyes.
ssThat's enough thank you athouand
times, Miss Helen. You're an admir-
BILE model. Now, when will you give
me another sitting with the proper ex-
preston Of countenance?"
sOh, almost any time," answered
Helen, airly. "But only on certain
conditions.
s'What are they2" asked the artist.
"They are granted"
I swell, one is that you will surely
have it hung at the spring exhibi'
tion."
Z. .Surely shall. 1'lltell the hanging
committee that you insist upon it,"
.sThank you,' said Helen gravely
"And the next is that you will not cal
It sHer First Love Letter. or $'What
Shall the Answer Be7' Do you promis'
that alsos'
..Now you are touching tenderel
3spot; !" laughed Walter Davis. "Yol
f5on,t know hhew hhew I want to call it b!
one of those names. But, of course, |
you insist
4"Ido," said Helen.
They started to walk together to
wards the road, and something lead tn
young man remark:
"At any rate l should not call
.rter First Love Letter. The first
would seem out of place"
~ can't tell" said Helen, "whethe
that is a tribute to my charms or
recognition of my venerable age. Bu
q doesn't matter. To be chosen for
great artists great work is enough ]
itself"
With such profound discourse the
enliyened the morning. After tina
thew we're found together good deal
Helen suggested numberless picture
once Walter began to see any pictures
cue qualities In her. She was pensiv
in the moonlight and bright and airy b
sunlight. She was nymph or fashions