The morning times., 1895-08-07
|. One Cent Hsap R5a
No advertisement less than 1O,.
The Prize Picture.
Continued from yesterdays Evening Time,
BY a. w. MITCHELL.

| Continued from yesterdays Evening Times.
1t seemed in the weeks following that
| Sunday morning that Paula must have
| found some magic cloak, so mysterious
| and complete were her disappearances
| She found the lessons with lightning speed
| and vanished through the chancel door be
| Tore Mr.. X adcliffe could get out of his seat
Z or Mr.. Oglethorpe turn around In the vestry.
| If one found her at all when one called 1t
| waswith muddy boots and scratched nose
| fresh from an excursion into the woods
! Mr.. Radcliffe surmised that Paula was
not alone In these excursions bat could get
no nearer the truth Mr.. Oglethorpe, hope
iessly nonplussed, sought inadequate con
| ISOLATION with Miss Sprig, Miss Martin and
Miss Hagginbothan.
The Sunday school authorities had voted
as usual 10 hold their annual picnic on the
18th of July at Merwie's Point Miss
Paula Pryor must, OF course, attend, TO look
after her Infants, and minister and la wyer
each made up his mind that among those
picturesque rocks which just front the
Point into the Sound, he would mangae
to keep his tantalzi0g lady fixed, q least
long enough to learn his fate. Nothing
less than desperation woIfld have induced
the lawyer 10 dare the trials OF a Sunday.
school picnic; but he felt the possibilities
or IN established father lula w ana a COM
fortablefortune were daily growing DINNER
on his horizon A sudden move might
revive them.
Mr. Oglethrope feared some overdue pru.
dence on his part had been misunderstood
as an Intentional slight 10y Miss Pryor
He wished TO seize the first opportunity
TO reaSsuTe her.
The rector was Obliged to forego the
pleasure Of driving out with Paula in the
carryall, being accorded a seat OF honor
in the HaGgiubotham barouche, which be
dared not decline.
Mr. Radcliffe smiled triumphantly as he
was invited into the larger vehicle. but
was disillu sioniZed when he found himself
wedged III between Teddy TraverS and
several other similar Infant s. with
Miss Pryor far in front. Teddy wa eating
bread aud butter. having begun early 10
lose no chance OF consumption Mr.. Rad
cliffe, dreariIy conscious of noise, dust,
iolting aud heat, mentally denounced
Miss Pryor for Turing him into such environ
nIent. Ii was irritating 10 watch her afar
OIL the front seat cool and fresh in her
pale blue gown, with unruffled hair and
quiet eyes.
Paula devotion TO her class that morning
was most absorbing. She played games
with them, took them about the grove, fed
Teddy TraverS' unbOunded appetite, and
when luncheon was served lowered over
them like a Madonna keeping off the hor-
Ilt'tS anu preventing an uISttLliN StIuEEhe
for Mrs BarSJOwe's Jelly cake. Mt Rad
cIiffe spent his time in rescuing various
too yentureSDmc spirits from watery graves,
running his patent feathers with salt water
and bruising his knees against the sharp
rocks.
When the children had finished eating
the Older people sat down. II happened
| that Paula was placed between Mr.. Rad
| Cliffe and Mr OgleJhorpe.
said 1ifTlP
! rector, leaning over the watermelon. II
must insist upon your taking rest this aft
| ernoon. You are veTwOrking yourself
| The others can amuse the children.
Yes" cut in Mr.. Radcliffe. putting
! down his biscuit, yes was about to make
the same remark myself. You viii bring
| on a severe headache rushing about in this
sun. You should sit down somewhere in
the cool ssade-somew here out on the
rocks"
Mr.. OgIethOrpe redeemed nervoHsly. II
brought a volume OF Keats on purpose to
! read few stanzas to YOU, be Interrupt
ed in a raised tone, unheeding the angry
glare OF the lawyer. Il know a most
charming grotto around the bend OF the
bay, and l. you viii permit me, after luuch-
con | VIII carry some shawls and pillows
over there"
You won't find any grotto when you
get there" broke in Mr. FadvHffe. wita a
malicious sneer That fills up when the
tide comes in. I know place under the
pine trees where the breeze takes away
all the mosquitoes and
Paula ratified her cup slightly. Thank
you both very Hsuch for wanting to take
care OF me-" she said. glanciug gratefully
first at the rector and then at the lawyer
In that glance both gentlemen recognized
that hint of laughter and became silent
After things are put away here IN the
-. . =rN-E m
find .ome pleasant place TO sit for an hour
or two -
When luncheon was over, the lawyer
ostertatiouSly secured Miss PryOr's shawl
aud sat down on a bench to wait for her,
while the rector stationed himself on q
stone and turned the pages Of Keats
with unnecessary display. Paula gath
cred up the dishes and moved back ard
forth between the wagons daintily. Sud-
denly Mr. Radcliffe observed that among
the busy matrons she was 10 longer
visible.
Where is Miss Pryor" he called 10
Miss Sprig, remembering that Sunday
school incident with sinking heart
why. she said she was going to take
little rest" answered Miss Sprig.
Mr. Radcliffe threw down his shawl
with q murInuring which, fortunately,
Miss Sprig did not understand. AT the
same moment Mr.. Oglethorpe put down
Keats and realized the situation. With n
common purpose, ne and Mr.. Radcliffe
started off, but in different directions.
Heated and weary, they met an hour later
behind the pine trees on the little point
where MIR. Radcliffe had wished TO euter-
tain Miss Pryor. Evidently both had
Sought vainly.
They nodded silently and turned to-
ward the shade to rest. As they neared
the point murmur of voices reached
them Then pale blue gown CLEANED
through the trees. Both gentlemen stop
ped abruptly "Oh, Tom. the wind has
carried off the picture!' cried a familiar
voice.
Never mind. darling; 1t has won the
prize" answered eXultant manly tones.
A piece of paper fluttered to the law
yers feet He picked it up. Mr.. Oglc-
thorpe leaned over his arm curioGsly.
Swinging on a mammoth fishing hook in
the water was drawn the graceful form
of Paula Pryor. Br0ad-brimmed Sunday
hat and ruffles, there was no mistaking
her.