The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-07-12
miscellaneous.
THE IDEAL HEAD.


sidewalk outside his office door. Be
ing intent on his morning duties, he
put it in his waistcoat pocket without
further thought, for he was a busy
man, the editor or great daily paper
The small portions of his time which
was not spent in the sanctum of his
office was devoted to his snug rooms
in large apartment house it was
there that he gained what little rest
and pleasure his busy life afforded
him. John Ainsworth was i'll every
sense of the word a man of culture
and refinement, with very little fond
ness for society. In fact, he had stu
diously avoided the other residents of
the house, and, perhaps, it was for
that reason that he scorned the eleva-
tor, preferring to bound up the mar
BILE stairs to his cosy rooms on the
third floor. This habit greatly anus
ed his young brother, Elliott, who
shared mis- home and any other com
forts that the gods of John provided.
Elliott was a happy go-lucky artist,
whose profession had not as yet
brought him an income.
When John entered the pretty sit
ting room that evening, he found his
brother putting the finishing touches
to what he was pleased to call an
ideal head"
Hello. Jack. Eve been waiting
ages for you. Shall we dine at the
Albemarle tonight -
Why, no. | am going to the Wri-
tiers Club, SO you must look out for
yourself this evening.
WELL all right, only look at this a
moment before you dress. Don't you
think there is something sweet in the
expression p
john walked to the easel and CLAN
ced carelessIy at the sketch, rather
bored to be forced to spend time on
one of Elliott's many daubs. But tor
once his attention was arrested, some
thing in the light brown eyes appeal
ed to him. and as he studied the face
it seemed more and more to beseech
his friendliness, at least. The way
ing, chestnut hair, the delicately
moulded brow, the sweet, thin lips,
and the daintiness of contour all unit
ed in completing IL beautiful face.
Elliott, you rascal, you have stolen
this By Jove, it's the best you have
done ~
Elliott could not conceal his salts
faction at his brothers honest praise,
for who was so dear to him as sober
old John?
"Thank you, Jack, and to tell you
the truth, it's IL face I've seen and
dreamed about, but painted entirely
from memory
Where did you see her? If you
have really portrayed some living girl
she must indeed be a beauty -
Elliott seemed well pleased that an
at IL N inf ~
his paints and brushes and the editor
and his friend prepared for the even
ing. one going to his club and the
other sauntering off to Il favorte cafe
to eat. smoke and dream about the
subject of his sketch.
The next morning when John put
| his hand i'll his pocket for his car fare,
| he ran against something unusual, and
pulling it out recognized the little
golden-cross. He looked at it carfully
and saw the inscription "Muriel
upon it, When he raised his head,
| he blushed to see the light brown eyes
of Elliott's sketch watching him de,
murely, even appealingly, it seemed
to him--yes. it must be she, the same
brow, the waving hair, the dainty lips
and best of all, the wonderful eyes!
For some reason he felt much dis
| concerted and hastily replaced the
cross in his pocket, sinking behind his
newspaper, though furtively glancins
across the aisle only to find the haze
eyes still fastened upon him.
| Now, John Ainsworth had reached
the sober age of thirty-tive and if any
one had told him that a pair of hazel
| ewes would set his heart to beating
| like a steam pump or cause crimson
| hue to suffuse his manly face he would
have secuted at the idea. But that
was just what was going Oh this very
| morning, and as the sensation was sc
new and so alarming the only idea that
came to him was flight. So taking
one more look at the girlish figure, he
made his way to the door of the cal
and dropped off, only to regret it, as
| in IL moment he was overcome to dis
| cover that ne had voluntarily giveI
up the only chance of finding out who
she was or where she was going, foI
he was suddenly aware of an intense
interest in her whereabouts. Follow
ing his first impulse, he started at &
lively pace to pursue the car, but
stopped shortly when he heard IA
miliar voice calling
Hold on there, Jack, old man
What's the rush ? Is there fire OF
are you after scoop p
"Well, you here managed to gel
off at the wrong corner and thought
to regain the car" John smiled
blandly as he manufactured this weak
explanation.
"Your supper last night must have
been too much for you, though
should have supposed you woulo
have slept off the effects. At any
rate, as this is fine morning, let u:
walk on down town. I'd like to take
you in to see some water colors a
Browns
Speaking about water colors, wha
are you going to do with that head
You won't sell it, will your
"Will l? Won't |, if | can find any
patron of art who appreciates it to thu
tune of 500 or so? This art for arts
sake is all very poetical, but the time
is coming, my boy, when | must carr
my living"
John looked at his brother in sur
prise, but Elliott continued
You know, l can't always expect
to live on your bounty, Jack. IoI
may be wishing to marry some da.
yourself"
81 don't know about that. We ar
all liable to succumb, but don't sen'
fhof hao1 70 Rroupis onuwav