The sun., 1894-10-14


may be a wolf" thought the poor widow, jus
as she was kneeling down 10 say her prayers.
That evening certainly made . commence
meut. Though IIetta went on pertinaciously
with the body Of new dress, the other two Ia
dies did not put in another stitch that night
From his drawings Aaron got TO his instru
ments, and before bedtime was teaching Susar
how 20 draw parallel lines. Susan found that
she had quite an aptitude for parallel lines, and
altogether had a good time of II that evening
IL Is dull TO go on week after week and month
after month talking only TO ones mother and
sister. II Is dull, though one does not oneself
recognize II TO be so. A little change in such
matters is so very pleasant. Susan had not the
slightest idea of regarding Aaron rs even
possible lover. But young ladies do like the
conversation Of young gentlemen. oh, my ex.
ccedlngly proper, prlni, old lady you who are so
shocked at this as a general doctrine. has II
never occurred TO you that the Creator has 80
Intended it7
Susan, understanding little OF the how and
why, knew that she had had good time, and
was rather In spirits az she went TO bed. But
Hetts had been frightened by the dodge.
"oh, Hetta, you should have looked at those
drawings. He is so clever /" said Susan.
II don't know that they would have done me
much good" replied Hetta.
tOOu "ell, Jney u 90 me more ROO0 tnAn
q long sermon, know" said Susan; except
on Sunday. Of course" she added apologetical-
ly. This was an ill-tempered attack both on
Hetts and Hetta's admlrer. But then why had
Hetta been SO snsppish7
"fm sure he's . wolf" thought Hetta az she
went TO bed.
what very clever young man he Isl" thought
Susan 10 herself as she pulled the warm clothes
round about her shoulders and ears.
well, that certainly was an Improvement"
thought Aaron as he went through the same
operation, with q stronger feeling OF self-appro-
bation than he had enjoyed for some time past.
In the course Of the next fortnight the family
arrangements all altered themselves. Unless
when Beckard was there Aaron would sit In the
widows place, the widow would take Susan's
chair. and the two girls would be opposite. And
then Dunn would read to them; not sermons,
but passages from Shakespeare, and Byron, and
Longfellow. "He reads much better than Mr..
Beckard, l." Susan had said one night. "of course,
you're q competent judger had been Hetta's
retort. 81 mean that like It better" said SUI
san. "It's we'll that all people don't think
alike" replied Hetta.
And then there was q deal Of talking. The
widow herself, as unconscious in this respect as
her youngest daughter. certainly did find that a
little variety was agreeable on those long winter
nights; and talked herself with unaccustomed
freedom. And Beckard came there oftener. and
talked very much. When he was there the two
young men did all the talking. and they pounded
each other immensely. But still there grew up
a sort Of friendship between them.
"Ir. Beckard seems quite to take to him." said
Mrs Bell to her eldest daughter.
1T is his great good nature, mother" replied
Hetta.
II was at the end OF the second month when
Aaron took another step in advance-a perilous
step. Sometimes on evenings he still went on
with his drawing for an hour or SO; but during
three or four evenings he never asked any one to
look at what he was doing. On one Friday he
he sat over his work till late, without any read
ing or talking at all; so late that at last Mrs.
Bell said, If you're going to sit much longer.
Mr.. Dunn. I'll get you to put out the candles"
Thereby showing. had he known It or had she,
that the mothers confidence in the young man
was growing fast. Hetta knew all about 1t, and
dreaded that the growth was too quick.
1--WE finished now, !" said Aaron: and he looked
carefully at the card board on which he had been
washing in his water colOrs. I've finished now"
He then hesitated q moment; but ultimately he
put the card into his portfolio and carried IL up
to his bedroom. Who does not perceive that Il
was intended as q present to susan Bellf
night, and which he hardly knew how to answer.
was this: Should he offer tho drawing TO Susan
In the presence Of her L mother and sister. or on
No such occasion had ever yet oc-
Cured, but Aaron thought that 1t might prob
to make no fuss about 1t. His first intention
had been to chuck the drawing lightly across the
ing Of il. But he had finished il with r more s care
han he had Intended; and then he had hesitated
he had q Cshsd It, II was too late
from his room, Mr. BeoEard was there, and
haze IA, ,haN ,iuh. H.
sunday With eF
nent he went 70 hear Mr.. Beckard preach. and
TSis pleased % Mrs Bell and they % Wers a1' al very
gracious that afternoon. But Sunday was no
On Monday t6e thing had become Of
when they are kept over: Before tea that
Bell and Susan e only We're we in % the room. He knew
Hetts for his foe, and therefore determined to
$ Miss susan" he said. stammering somewhat
md blushing. too, poor fool II have done lit
lie drawing which want you 70 accept" ana he |
QRl don't Know" said Is Susan. SAM. who had seen
Ter mouth up, and looked grave. Had there
'een no stsmmering and no blush, she might |
o go down smoothly. He was, however. in for |
now, so he picked It out from among the other |
lie endeavored to hand il TO her with an air OF |
Indifference, but cannot say that he succeeded.
It. was q very pretty well-hnished water-col- |
'red drawing representing still the same bridge, |
nut with more adjuncts. In susan's eyes II was |
work OF high art. OF pictures probably she |
10 doubt added 10 her admiration. But the more |
he admired II and wished for 1t, the stronger |
vas her feeling that she ought not 10 take II.
Poor Susan she stood for minute |
ookinR at the drawing, but said nothing, |
lot even q word OF praise. She felt |
hat she was red In the face, and |
lncourteous to their lodger; but her mother was |
ooking at her. and she did not know how to be-
lave herself.
Mrs. Bell put out her hand for the sketch, try
ng TO bethink herself as she did so In what least
lnciyl way she could refuse the present. She |
ook moment 10 look at It collecting her
thoughts. and as she did so her womAn's wit
/" oh, dear, Mr.. Dunn, Il Is very pretty; quite .
,eautiiul picture: cannot let Susan rob you OF
'aTtioulAr friends"
" But did It for her." said Aaron innocently.
Susan looked down at the ground, half pleased
L the declaration. The drawing would look |
cry pretty In small gilt frame put over her
ressing table. But the matter now was alto
ether In her mothers hands.
" am afraid It is too valuable, sir. for Susan
o accept"
'It is not valuable at ALL" said Aaron, declin-
ng TO take 1t back from the widows hand.
" oh, ! am quite sure II ts. tbs worth ten dol