Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-05-16

from 115 to 121 West Lambert street.
Chow arc you, Davis?" I said with
out changing my position.
GAS well as this beastly weather per-
mits any enc to be-" he replied, taking
the only vacant chair. ''The fog is SC
thick outside you could drill holes in il
and blast it with gunpowder. But his
attention was attracted just then to my
easel.
whats this?' he cried and moved
the lamp to get a better view.
had my back to him; so, after long
silence, 1 wheeled around to say, rather
impatiently, fear, as did not under.
stand his hesitation:
''Well, how do you like it?''
''It's truly fine, Carroll. l neve,
dreamed you would do anything Ike
this. Why, my dear fellow, your repu-
tation will be made.
felt very much gratifed, 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 I
only said indiTerently:
''You think it will go then?'
"Go! Now, look here, Carroll, l want
this Name your own price, but I 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
so?''
''No. She looked just like that today.
She's to pose again tomorrow, for, az
you see, it's not quite done yet. This
hand needs touching, and the dress
should be worked up q little more. -
eyes, but wouldn't touch it if I
were you. It's just perfect now, and you
might do too much, you know"
Nonsense" said, rather vexed at
his tone.
II must go along now, " he said, but
toning up his coat. "I've some business
in the next house-119.
I noticed for the first time that he
looked i'll, and tried to make him take
seemed in a hurry and couldn't STOP
'Goodby,' he said, ''and remember
the picture is mine"
1t was hot, clammy night, and after
Davis left 1 threw the windows open as
q far as they were made to be thrown
and got as far out of one of them as I
safely could by fitting my chair back
and extending my legs out into that un
defined everywhere called the wide.
wide world.
So Davis had bought my picture, and
l was to name the price. Well, he was
rich man, I thought complacently,
and my price grew in size the longer l
thought about it. 1t did not occur to
me that receipted bill for three months
rent, due last week, might be justly
considered as a part payment. I 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 I cared
little about finding the key.
I nearly jumped out of my chair,
however, when heard distinct groan
from the next room, and as I sprang to
my feet there was the sound of a heavy
fall rushed into the hall. This was
no time for knocking and swiftly turn
ed the handle of the door which had so
baffled me in my desire to know more of
the occupant of the room behind it.
The room was totally dark.
''What's the matter? Can be Of any
assistance?'' called, peering into the
blackness
There was no reply, and 1 brought the
lamp from my room and l. ID it high
above my head, giving hasty glance
around as did So
The room was larger than mine and
handsomely furnished, evidently by
person of taste, had time to think to
myself before my eyes fell on dark fig
ure lying face downward on the floor
beside the table.
Iquickly 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 I could not think for a
minute. Then went out, closed the
door softly and reverently and ran down
stairs.
So this was my neighbor, and never
knew!
On the second floor met one Of the
housemaids carrying a lamp, which I
took out of her hands.
eco quickly" said I, ''to 119 and
tell DR.. Davis that Maggie is dead"
The girl looked frightened, but obeyed
without word.
Then I suddenly thought of her son
Dick, she called him. He must know.
I was about to go in search Of some one
else when met Davis on the landing
in the dimly lighted hall.
''Davis," said I, 1--WE must send for
her son. Do you know where he lives?''
I could see even in the semidarkness
that his face was working convulsively,
but without answering he strobe on to
Maggie's room, I 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 to the bed, dropped
ON his knees by its side, and taking the
poor, stiff, wrinkled hands in his he
covered them with kisses
When he rose and turned toward me,
saw the great tears rolling down his
face.
Carroll" he said gently, 'leave us
together Her son is here. Mae S.
Thyng in Short Stories.
Had Lost His Suppleness.