The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-07-18

skins the water and leaps Mt the wide
winged fly that hovers over. No
feather fly and spoon hook have ever
swept that water.
1t was all about her, but the girl
did not know it--Bohemia, land OF
childhood and innocence, OF all good
things in life.
AT TWENTY-FIVE.
The curtain has gone down on the
last stage picture, the immense
audience has turned its back upon the
orchestra, which is pouring out in
stentorian tones the stirring strains Of
"The Star Spangled Banner" Fashion
and beauty have been present to hear
star OF unusual magnitude read one
of Shakespeare's wonderful characters
in the process of a play, and they are
going out more than ever impressed
with the great bard's wonderful
knowledge OF the natures and man.
ners and genius of men.
In n right hand box some ladies
have been sitting during the perform
ance, deeply interested until the next
to the final act, when the principal
character leaves the stage. He has
been the guest of the elderly woman
at dinner, for he is one OF society's
favorites wherever he goes. With
the box party there is dark girl in
red cloak, rich velvet rufiles close
about her throat, red flower in her
jetty hair and a few moro are in her
hand. This is Janet Townsend at
twenty-five, the clever artist whose
work depicts many scenes in books OF
the day, whose pen and ink sketches
are sought by publishers everywhere.
The ladies are waiting for the crowd
to pass out, so they may go comfort
ably to their carriage, then the stage
door swings and the star is standing
with them-a man of some thirty
seven, straight and firm, eyes dark and
tender as woman's, and hair that is
touched with tint of sunshine. He
is conspicuous figure in the world OF
men, yet there is not n single trick OF
manner or distinguished feature or
whim to attract. Brilliant, straight
forward, honest and sincere, poet in
nature, he sees the beautiful of life
and recognizes it everywhere.
Tho ladies shake hands with him,
with words and praise OF thanks for IA
delightful evening. Janet is the last
to offer her hand, and the others are
passing out toward the lobby rs she
does so.
They walk slowly mp the short flight
of steps, he still holding her fingers as
if in assistance.
"There is something very peculiar
about this" he is saying. 81 have
never met you until to-day, and yet il
seems as if had known you all my
life" The full glare of the electric
light is falling upon her uplifted face.
A flush creeps up to her cheeks, max
ing them almest the tint of the ruflles
about her throat. She smiles brightly.
Perhaps we met in some other
world" she says. s..
I NT am sure we have not; Ishould
have remembered. Mrs. Allyn tells
me you have made some character
sketches from one OF my plays"
'I made them from your photo
graphs? Would you like to see
them?"
"May I?'
"If you care to como tomorrow Of
ternoon l shall be pleased to show
them you"
He puts her into the carriage with
her friends, and then stands for a mo-
ment looking after the brougharn roll
ing down the white asphalted street.
"What glorious woman !"
Janet Townsend's studio is a simple
place where artists may always be sure
of finding kindred souls on Friday af
ternoon, where newspaper men anC
publishers drop in and get ideas foi
this or that. Pictures, draperies, pot
ted plants, portfolios, and hundred
of sketches in black and white are al
about.
Janet is talking to q we!l-knowr
publisher about cover design wheI
the star enters. She drops the piec,
of card AMI goes forward to gree
him.
az am so glad You have come.
The welcome is simple, but the flusl
ON her face speaks more than words.
She shows him the sketches, exduis
ite work from photographs IN charac
ter, and one by one, as the day i
drawing to close, the visitors drift
out, and they are left alone.
A sort OF embarrassment creep
over both.
"You have had a successful season !
every"
"And you will come this wa
again?"
81 hope so." He looks up quickly
She raises her eyes. He reaches on
his hands and takes one of hers
"Shall see you when l come again
May hope that you will look for pr
His voice has grown very tender an
/, he is speaking hastily. Into her darl
eyes steals the old sweet wistfulnes
they used to wear and her lips ar
trembling. He notes all this, aud tn
tight clasp on her hand lightens.
His voice is changed when he speak