Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-06-18
" ArERBukl EVENING DEMOCRAT MONDAY, JUNE 49,


tation will be made"
I felt very much gratified, for Davis
was something of critic and his opin-
ion worth having but it wouldn't be
manly for me to show my pleasure, SO
only said indiffcrently:
"You think it will go then?"
$50! Now, look here, Carroll, want
this. Name your own price, but must
have it. "
you've seen Maggie, of course.
haven't you-the old woman who cleans
the halls here?'
eyes, Often" he answered slowly.
"Do you think it is like her?"
Every like-and yet-older and sad
der looking some way. Don't you think
sop
''No She looked just like that today.
She's to pose again tomorrow, for, as
you see, it's not quito done yet This
hand needs touching, and the dress
should be worked up a little more"
Eyes, but wouldn't touch it if l
were you. It's just perfect now, and you
might do too much, you know
Nonsense, said, rather veNed at
his tone.
Il must go along now, he said, but
toning up his coat ''I've some business
i'll the next house-119.
noticed for the first time that he
looked i'll, and tried to make him take
some brandy before he went out, but he
seemed in hurry and couldn't stop.
"Goodby," he said, land remember
the picture is mine"
1t was hot, clammy night, and after
Davis left l threw the windows open as
far as they were made to be thrown
and got rs far out of one of them as
safely could by fitting my chair back
and extending my legs out into that IN
defined everywhere called the wide,
wide world.
So Davis had bought my picture, and
was to naxlc the price Well, he was
rich man, l thought complacently,
and my price grew i'll size the longer
thought about it. 1t did not occur to
me that a receiptod bill for three months
rent, due last week, might be justly
considered as part payment. would
make the sum large enough to cover my
expenses to Paris and back next sum-
mer. And them
was startled by hearing the door to
the next room shut gently. had not
INDUCED in many dreams of my fair
neighbor lately. In fact, my new inter
est in art had locked the door on my
curiosity, and some way now 1 cared
little about finding the key.
l nearly jumped out of my chair,
however, when heard distinct groan
from the next room, and as l sprang to
t1,nrn fl)n Scnn1 of a hnaZN-
fall Iru>hcd into the hall. This was
no time for knocking, and l swiftly turn
ed the handle of the door which had so
bafded me i'll my desire to know more of
the occupant of the room behind it.
The room was totally dark.
Whats The matter? Can be of any
assistance" called, peering into the
blackness.
There was 10 reply, and brought the
lamp from my room and held it high
above my head, giving hasty glance
around as did So
The room was larger than mine and
handsomely furnished, evidently by u
person of taste, had time to think to
myself before my eyes fell on q dark fig
ure lying face downward on the floor
beside tho table
quickly put the lamp down, lifted
her gently on to the bed and bent over
her to see if she were conscious.
To my surprise it was old Maggie.
and she was quite, quite dead! was so
stunned that 1 could not think for q
ninute. Then l went out, closed the
door softly and revercntly and ran down
stairs.
So this was my ncighbor, and | never
knew!
On the second floor | met one of the.
housemaids carrying lamp, which l
took out of her hands.
$50 quickly" said l, Ito 40 and
tell Dr. Davis that Maggie is dead"
The girl looked frightened, but obeyed
without a word.
Then 1 suddenly thought of her son
Dick, she called him. He must know,
I was about to go in search of some one
else when I met Davis Oh the landing
in tho dimly lighted hall.
Davis, " said |, i've must send for
her son. Do you know where he lives?"
could SEQ oven in the sCmidarkncss
that his faSc was working convulsivcly,
but without answering he strode on to
Maggie's room, l following.
Two of the maids were in the room
now, one of them weeping noisily, for
Maggie had been kind to her last winter
when she was i'll.
But Davis did not notice them. He
went quickly over 80 the bed, dropped
on his knees by its side, and taking the
poor, stiff, wrinklcd hands in his he
covered them with kisses.
When he rose and turned toward me,
l saw the great tears rolling down his
face.
Carroll, he said gently, "leave us
together. Her son is here. Mac S.
Thyng in Short Stories.