Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-08-16
MisckllanenMs.
THE IDEAL HEAD.
Hello ! What's this z

Hello What 3 This
John Ainsworth stopped to pick up
a gold cross which was lying on the
sidewalk outside his office door. Being
intent on his morning duties, he put II
in his waistcoat pocket without further
thought, for he was busy man, tho
editor Of 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 aud pleasure his
busy life Afforded him. John Aims
worth was in every sense of the word a
man of culture aud refinement, with
very little fondness for society. la fact,
he had studiously avoided tho other
residents of the house, and. perhaps, it
was for that reason that no scornod the
elevator, preferring to bound up the
marble stairs to his cosy rooms on the
third floor. This habit greatly amused
his young brother. Elliott. who shared
his home aud any other comforts that
the gods of John provided Elliott was
a happy go-lucky artist, whose profess
sion had not as yet brought him an in
come.
When John entered the pretty sitting
room that evening, he found his brother
putting the finishing touches to what he
was pleased to call an "idoal head.
"1Iello Jack. I've been waiting
ages for you. Shall we dine at the Al.
bemarle tonight =
"Why, no. | am going to the Writer'S
Club, 80 you must look out for yourself
this evening
well, all right, only look at this n
moment before you dress. Don't you
think there is something sweet in the
expression I"
John walked TO the easel and glanced
carelessly at the sketch, rather bored to
be forced to spend time on one Of FL
liott's many daubs But for once his
attention was arrested, something in the
light brown eyes appealed to him, and
as he studied the face it seemed more
and more to beseech bis friendliness, at
least. The waving. chestnut hair, the
delicately moulded brow, the sweet, thin
lips, and the daintincss Of contour all
united in completing beautiful face.
"Elliott, you rascal, you have stolen
this BY Jove, it's the best you have
done !"
Elliott could not conceal his satisfac-
ton at his brothers honest praise, for
who was so dear to him rs sober old
John I
THANK you, Jack, and 10 tell you
the truth, It's face I've seen and
dreamed about, but painted entirely
from memory"
"Where did you soc her Z IF you
have really portrayed some living girl
she must indeed be beauty !"
Elliott seemed we'll pleased that an
answer was not expected. He put up
his paints and brushes and the editor
and bis friend prepared for the evening,
one going to his club aud the other saun-
tering Oh to a fayorite cafe 10 cat, smoke
and dream about the subject Of his
sketch.
The next morning when John put
his hand in his pocket for his car fare,
he ran against something unusual, and
pulling il out recognized the little golden
cross. He looked at il carefully and
saw the inscription "Muriel" upon it.
When be raised his head, he blushod to
see the light brown eyes Of Elliotts
sketch watching him demurely, even ap-
pealingly, it seemed tohim-yes, il must
be she, the same brow, the waving hair,
the dainty lips and best Of all, the won
derful eyes
For some reason be felt much discon-
certed aud hastily replaced the cross in
his pocket, sinking behind bis news
paper, though furtively glanoing across
the aisle only 10 find the hazel eyes still
fastened upon him.
Now, John Ainswortb had reached
the sober age Of thirty aud il any
one had told him that a pair Of hazel
eyes would set his heart to beating
like steam pump or cause crimson
hue ~ sufnse bis manly face he would
have secuted at the idea But that
was just what was going on this very
morning. and as the sensation was 30
J new and 50 alarming the Only idea that