The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-08-15

long silence, wheeled around to say,
rather irnpatientIy. fear, as did not
understand his hesitation
..yYen. how do you like itg''
ats truly fine Carroll never
dreamed you could do anything like
this. Why. my dear fellow, your rep
utation Is nader
I felt very much gratified, for Davis
was something of critic, and his
opinion, worth having. but It wouldn't
be manly for me TO show my pleasure,
- ! said indifierentIy:
you think it viii go then?'
''Go. Vow, look here, Carroll, I want
this. Name your own price, but I
must have IT,"
You've seen Maggie, Of course, hav-
emit you-the old woman who cleans
the halls here?''
'sYes, often, - he answered slowly.
''Do you think il i like her."
Every like-and yet-older and sad
der looking some way. Don't you think
sos''
'.No. She looked just like that to-
day. She's to pose again tomorrow,
for, a. y0u see, its not quite done yet.
This hand needs touching, and the
dress should be worked up little
more"
''Ges, but | wouldn't touch it if I
were you. It's just perfect now, and
you might do too much, you know
Nonsense" I said, rather vexed at
his tone.
II must go along now" he said, but
toning up his coat. .'rve some busi-
ness in the next house-lI9.n
/ noticed for the first time he looked
III, and tried To make him take some
brandy before he went out, but he
seemed in hurry and couldn't stop.
Goodbye" he said, land remember
the picture is mine.n
1t was hot, clammy night, and af-
ter Davis left | threw the windows
open as far as they were made to be
thrown and got a. far out of them as |
safely could by tilting my chair back
and extending my legs out into that
underlined everywhere called the wide,
wide world
80 Davis had bought my picture and
was TO name the price Well, he was
a rich man, I thought complacently,
and my price grew in size the longer ]
thought OF H. 1t did not occur to me
that a receipted bill for three months
rent, due last week, might be justly
considered as a payment. | would
make the sum large enough to cover
my expenses to Paris and back next
summer And then
was startled by hearing the door TO
the next room shut gently. 1 had not
INDUCED in many dreams of my fair
neighbor lately. In fact, my new in
terest in art had locked the door on
my curiosity, and some way now | car
ed little about finding the key
nearly jumped out Of my chair,
however, when | heard a distinct
groan from the next roo m, and as /
sprang 10 my feet there was the sound
Of heavy fall 1 rushed into the hall
This was no time for knocking, and
swiftly turned the handle of the door
which had 80 baffied me in my desire
10 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 blacizness.
There was no reply, and brought
the lamp from my room and held il
high above my head, giving a hasty
glance around a. | did ~.
The room was larger than mime and
handsomely furnished, evidently by d
person Of taste, ! had time to think Ia
myself before my eyes fell on dark
figure lying face downward on the fioor
beside the table.
Iquiekly put the lamp down, lifted
her gently on 20 the bed and bent oveI
to see if she were conscious.
To my surprise it was old Maggie
and she was quite, quite deadl | wa
30 stunned that could not think for :
minute Then / went out, closed tn,
door softly and reverently and raj
down stairs.
80 this was my neighbor, and | new
er knew,
On the second floor met one of th'
housemaids carrying a lamp, which
took out of her hands.
SEQ quickly" said /, "to 49, an,
tell DIR. Davis that Maggie is dead"
The girl looked frightened, but obey
ed without a word.
Then l suddenly thought of her sol
Dick, she had called him. He mus
know. was about TO 20 in search o
some one else when / met Davis on TIA,
landing in the dimly lighted hall.
Davis" said |, 1--WE must send fo
her son. Do YOU know where Ia,
lives?"
could see even in the semi-darknes
that his face was working convulsive
~, but without answering he strode ol
TO her room.
Two of the maids were in the room
now, one Of them weeping noisily, 70
Maggie had been kind TO her last win
ter when she was i'll.
But Davis did not notice them. III
went quickly over 10 the bed, droppe,
on his knees by it, side, and taking tn
poor, stiff, wrinkled hands in his h
covered them with kisses.
When he rose and turned toward IN,
l saw the great tears rolling down hi
face.
Carroll, he said gently, "leave L
together. Her son Is here
Didn't Harm the Peas.