Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-06-08

/ hVt lace Woulu DflnS me /
orders, where one less lovely, even if
admirable as a likeness, would fail. l |
need not enumerate TO you the reasons
why it would be dishonorable for me
to abuse her kindness. +"
Il understand your reasons, Mr..
Brand, and respect them. May give
yon an order for a life-sized pastel |
from this Photographic"
He had fortunately remembered
having in his pocket the picture of
nephew that morning received. The
commissioner would help the poor
artist out.
A light tap came to the door.
May come in, Vincent?' called
sweet voice.
The door opened. Frank Harwood
turned to look into the face that had
haunted him waking and sleeping, but
a thousand times fairer than the coll
ored erayons had reproduced it.
She half drew back at sight of the
stranger, but Brand called to her.
"Come in, Clairel" And then, with
youthful candor: "This gentleman,
was Just asking about your portrait.
Shebowed slightly. She was all in
rich furs and deep, glowing velvet
The elegance of her attire puzzled
Frank Harwood.
81 hope the picture is bringing you
orders, Vincent
'It is, indeed" he answered,
brightly.
swell, it is late. 1 must go.
just ran in to see how you were getting
on
He smothercd fit of coughing.
'flhe basket of delicacies came this
moraing. Thank you ever 50 much
You have the carriage?
s'So, | am on foot.
s. snall sec you homo then the
arrFs safu, rocking froubie,t. rms
is not the best neighborhood in the
world, and it is growing dark. F."
The fierce cough shook him again.
"You shall do nothing of the
kind " she said, peremptorily.
Harwood went forward, hat in
hand.
"Will you do me the honor of per-
mitting me to be your escort?" he
asked. 81 am lawyer, residing in
the city. am sorry 1 have not a
card. Ny name is Frank Harwood. I"
She had been listening with some
what naughty air. She smiled now
with sudden friendliness.
81 shall be glad if you will come
with me, she said, simply.
On their way she told him about
Brand, whom she had known from
childhood in England.
''He is dying" she said. 'It is
hard to help him; he is SO proud.
The house before which she paused
was magnificent one.
Harwood mustered courage enough
to ask if he might call.
'No," she said gently; and then, as
if repenting: 81 shall be at Brand s
studio on Friday"
She ran up the steps.
Needless to say, Harwood was in the
painters room early Friday afternoon.
The number of orders he gave quite
overwhelmed the artist.
She came at last, her face like a
rose over her dark furs.
They met, not quite by chance,
many times, and still Frank did not
learn her name. He called her Miss
Claire.
One evening, when he was leaving
the studio with her, he told her the
story of how he had first happened to
come there.
Il fell in love with pastel por-
trait" he said. 81 am today in love
with the original. But / know so lit
tie OF you, it seems like being in love
with spirit. Are you going to pun
ish my presumption, or reward my
daring?"
She indicated her carriage that
stood at the curb.
"Get inl" she said, smiling. 81
chance to be driving your way"
The vehicle stopped at his aunt's
door. He remembered there was to
be small dinner party there that
evening.
She alighted and went up the steps
with him. They were admitted.
DO you know my aunt ?" he be-
gan.
Just then his aunt came toward
them.
claire, my dear!" she cried.
Frank, where did you meet Miss
Fainsworth?"
"Fainsworthl" !" he replied, blankly.
''fou..-he reproached Claire-s.k knew
me all the timel"
DO you think would have let you
see me home that night if did not?'
she asked archly.
What in the world are you chill
dren talking about?' Franks aunt
questioned.
They only laughed
But there ives that in the lovey.