Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-07-27

him, "about the picture exhibited in
MERGERS window. IL is not for sale Z"
"No, sir"
''Not at large figure :"
The artist did not at once answer.
lie was i'll and very poor,
"Not at any price," he said.
"You could not make me copy ?"
"No, sir The truth of the matter is
simply this: The lady who consented to
sit to mo for that picture, did SO out of
her own sweet charity She is so beau
tiful, and makes such fine study, I
fancied her face would bring me orders.
where ono less lovely, even admirable
as a likeness, would fail need not
enumerate to you the reasons why it
would be dishonorable for me to abuse
her kindness
II understand your reasons, Mr..
Brand, and respect them, May give
you an order for life sized pastel from
this photograph n
He had fortunately remembered hav-
ing in his pocket the picture of nephew
that morning received. Tho commission
would help the poor artist out.
A light tap came to the door
"May | come in, Vincent2" called
sweet voice 40 aa5...
The door opened. Frank Harwood
turned to look into the face that had
haunted him waking and sleeping, but Il
Thousand times fairer than the colored
crayons had reproduced it.
She half drew back at sight Of tho
stranger, but Brand called to her.
Come in, Claire p And then, with
youthful candor: "rhis gentleman was
just asking about your portrait"
She bowed slightly. She was all in
rich furs and deep. glowing velvet. =
The elegance of her attire puzzled Frank
HARDWOOD.
81 hope the picture is bringing you
orders, Vincent"
at is, indeed" he answered, bright
ly.
"Well, it is late. must 60 just
ran in to sec how you were getting on"
He smothered fit Of coughing.
1.-THE basket of delicacios came this
morning. Thank you so much. You
have the carriage?'
"No, | am on foot"
81 shall sec you home then" the art
list said, looking troubled "rhis is not
the best neighborhood in the world, and
it is growing dark
The fierce cough shook him again
"You shall do nothing of the kind"
she said peremptorily.
Harwood went forward, hat 10 hand.
"Will you do me the honor Of per-
hitting me to be your escort p he asked.
II am lawyer residing in the city.
am sorry | have not card. My name
is Frank IIarwood."
She had been listening with some
what naughty air. She smiled now with
sudden friendliness.
II shall be glad if you will come
with me-" she said simply
On their way she told bin about
Brand, whom she had known from child
hood in England.
''He is dying" she said. at is hard
to help him; he is SO proud"
Tho house before which she paused
was u magnificent one.
if he might call
"No." she said gently, and then, ~
if repenting 81 shall be at Brands
studio on Friday"
She ran up the steps.
Needless to say Harwood was 10 the
painters room early Friday afternoon
The number of orders he gave quite
overw belmed the artist.
She came ut last, her face like rose
over her dark furs.
They met, not quite by chance, many
times, and still Frank did not learn her
name. He called her Miss Claire.
One evening, when he was leaving
the studio with her, he told her the story
of how he had first happened to come
there.
II fell in love with pastel portrait"
he said. II am to day in love with the
original But | know 30 little of you,
it seems like being in love with spirit.
Are you going to punish my presump-
ton, or reward my daring?"
She indicated her carriage that stood
at the curb.
"Get inl" she said, smiling. III
chance to be driving your way"
The vehicle stopped at his aunt's door.
He remembered there was 10 be a small
dinner party there that evening.
She alighted and went up the stops
with him. They we're admitted.
''Do you know my aunt p he began.
Just then his aunt came toward them.
"Claire, my dcar!" she cried.-
Frank, where did you meet Miss
Fainsworth 2"
"Fainsworth," he replied, blankly.
"You"-he reproached Caire-"knew
nc all the time !"
''Do you think would have let you
see me home that night If | did not Z"
she asked arcbly.
What in the world arc you children
talking about p Franks aunt aues-
toned.
They only laughed.
But there was that 10 the lovely eyes
raised to his which told him he might
plead again---and no. in vain.-,Satur-
day Night.