The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-27
if you could paint Dick-jest a little

'Ope you IL l1ko I'm. l SnOulu like 10
ave you know my son, Mr. Carroll
Good night, sir. "
And she was gone.
had Just got back from dinner when
there was a knock at my door, and DR..
Davis came in unceremoniously. l was
used to having him drop in about thai
time in the day and rather enjoyed
chat with my gentlemanly landlord, for,
though outwardly grave, almost to sad
ness he displayed at times grim hu-
NOR that was vastly entertaining and
was, moreover, a man of education and
refined tastes He rarely spoke of him.
self and kept his cloak of reserve weH
buttoned up to his chin-sometimes l
even thought he turned the collar up to
ward off all personal questions. But l
knew him to be a physician with linn
tied practice and fine house up on G.
street, besides the row of lodging houses
from 115 to 1S1 West Lambert street
''How are you, Davis?' / said with
out changing my position.
''As well as this beastly weather per-
mits any one to be-" he replied, taking
the only vacant chair. 1.-The fog is sc
thick outside you could drill holes in it
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 better view.
l had my back to him; so, after long
silence, l wheeled around to say, rather
impatiently, fear, as did not under
stand his hesitation:
"Well, how do you like it?"
cts truly fine Carroll. never
dreamed you would do anything like
this. Why, my dear fellow, your repu-
tation will be made. !"
l 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 indifferently:
''You think it will go then"'
$50! Now, look here, Carroll, want
this. Name your own price, but l must
have it. ="
you've taeen Maggie, of course,
haven you-the old woman who cleans
the halls here?'
"Do you think it is like her?"
every like-and yet-older and sad
der locking some way. Don't you think
sop
mo She looked just like that today.
She's to pose again tomorrow, for, as
you see, it's not quite done yet This
hand needs touching, and the dress
should be worked up little more"
Eyes, but l 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.
81 must go along now, he said, but
toning up his coat GIVE some business
in 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 a hot, clammy night, and after
Davis left l threw the windows open as
far as they were made to be thrown
and got az far ont of one of them AS
safely could by fitting my chair back
and extending my legs out into that I'M
defined everywhere called the wide,
wide world.
So Davis had bought my picture, and
l was to name the price. Well, he was
a rich man, l thought complacently,
and my price grew in size the longer
thought about it. 1t did not occur to
Al. +rI &c
rent, due last week, might be justly
considered as part payment l would
make the sum large enough to cover my
| expenses to Paris and back next sum-
| mer And then
| was startled by hearing the door to
the next room shut gently. l 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 l 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
nv feet there was the sound of a heavy
fall. | rushed into the hall. This was
no time for knocking, and l 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 1t.
The room was totally dark.
whats the matter? Can l be of any
assistance?" 1 called, peering into the
blackness.
There was no reply, and brought the
lamp from my room and | Id it high
above my head, giving a hasty glance
around as [ did SO.
The room was larger than mine and
handsomely furnished, evidently by a
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.
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 deadl | was so
stunned that could not think for u
minute Then | went out, closed the
door softly and reverently and ran down
stairs.
So this was my neighbor, and never
knewl
On the second floor I met one OF the
housemaids carrying lamp, which I
took out of her hands.
$50 quickly" said I, "to 119 and
! tell DR. Davis that Maggie is dead.