The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-01-28


Somehow the picture grew but slow
ly. Maybe the painter was hypercritical
Certainly he would work only when the
light, his mood, everything suited
Oddly enough, Bertram's absence, in.
stead of throwing him more into COM
partnership with his model, put Curl
Gus constraint between the two. With
Major Lanier, though, he grew exceed
ingly friendly, read, talked to him by
the hour, or listened with wildly I'M
feigned interest to tales of march and
siege and battle, of hairbreadth escapes
and deeds of desperate daring-never
any, though, whereof the relator was
the hero. Clearly the daughters Office
ton to speak of herself was an heredi-
tary trait Thinking of it in contrast to
the manned wreck of battle, Tanning
told himself over and over again that
men of deeds are little given to words.
One mid October day fury Of work
fell upon him. Something was stirring
within, something undreamed of, in
credible. He drove himself hard, DASH
ing in sharp blurs of color, fine, faint
|
the WEAKNESS stealing over his model,
sharpening the lines of the thin face,
shadowing more deeply the patient eyes.
One big, empty front room had been set
apart for his use. Doors and windows
stood open. A warm, gray autumn light
filed every nook and corner. Darragh
stood facing the door that gave upon
the hall, her hair ripping over her
shoulders, one hand held hard about the
tattered battlefag's staff, the othe,
dropping nerveless and empty at mel
side.
A step-a shadow came through the
door. She started, gave little cry,
tottered, would have fallen, but the
newcomer caught and held her upright.
Joe! How you startled meW she
said, half reproachfully. 81 did moi
dream you were within hundred
miles.
things hereabout, but ye go an lay
down. Ye looked fit ter drap as come
ill.,"
Darragh looked half appealingly al
him, then said to Tanning, who stood
brush in hand, the picture of frownine
amazement: "Mr Tanning, this is my
cousin, Joe Reid, just home from Nash
vile. l am sure you will like to SET
some one from the world outside, so
shall leave him to entertain you while
rest a little"
Certainly. Delighted to know Mr..
Mr.. Reid. Excuse me for keeping yor
so long," Tanning muttered, daubinl
away at his canvas. As Darragh van
ished he became conscious that some
body was looking over his shoulder,
somebody who very shortly laid hand
on his arm, saying, with tinge Of
authority: Cant that wait minute,
Mr.. Tanning? l want to talk to you. "
About what?'
''Darragh Lanier.
"Why?"
Because, as she told you, I'm her
cousin-my mother was Lanier once
removed-an Darragh herself isis the
best woman, the poorest, the biggest
fool in the whole state of Tennessee.
Whats that to me?"
Don't ye want to marry herr"
why should I?''
Don't ye really known"
know what?"
"Why, about Darraghsmount-hel
history, the fortune she is worse thar
throwing away"
son my honor, no, though am sensi
BILE just now of lively inclination tt
thrash you for such inquisition into my
private affairs. -
Come outside if ye'd like to try il
on, " the other said. clinching sinewy
fist. But I'd rather ye didn't Oar,
ragh wouldn't like it. She's full of al
them old, high strung notions I'm the
new south, l am Ten yeas younger
she. | mayn't have so much polish, bu
when it comes to rustlin an gettin thai
| amt afraid to risk myself with tn,
best OF ye northerners.
Tanning looked slowly over the foo
: of wiry strength and said languidly
mo. / think from my experience yor
would let few things stand in your way
Now, if you are through with you
Questions, l should like to 60 on with
my work. l am anxious to finish it ant
| l.