Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-06-18

written in his hollow eyes, on his blue
yelned hands, bowed assent.
II came" said Harwood, declining
the solitary chair which was proifereC
him, about the picture exhibited IL
MERGERS window. 1t is not for salo?'
mo, sir"
mot at large figure"
The artist did not az once answer
He was III and very poor.
Not at any price," he said.
You could not make me a copy?"
mo, sir, The truth Of the matter |.
this; The young lady who consented
to sit for me for that picture did SO
oHt OF her own sweet charity. She lf
so beautiful, and makes such a fine
study, | fancied her face would bring
me orders, where ones less lovely even
II admirable as likeness, would fail.
need not enumerate to you the reasons
why 1t would be dlshonorable for me
to abuse her Kindness"
Il understand your reasons, Mr..
Brand, and respect them. May l give
you an order for a llfe-sized pastel
from this Photographic
He had fortunately remembered hav-
ing In his pocket the picture of a
nephew that morning received, The
commission would help the poor art
list.
A light tap came to the door.
MAY | come in, Vincent?" called a
sweet voice.
The door opened. Frank Harwood
turned to look into the face that had
haunted him waking and sleeping, but
a thousand times fairer than the
colored crayons had reproduced 1t.
She half drew back at the sight Of the
stranger but Brand called to her:
Come in Claire" And then, with
youthful candor; This gentleman was
just asking about your portrait"
She boTcd slightly. She was all in
rich furs and deep glowing velvet The
elegance Of her attire puzzled Frank
Harwood.
Il hope the picture Is bringing you
orders, Vincent"
ut is, indeed" he answered, bright
".
well, 1t is late. l must go. I Just
AN in to see how you were getting on"
He smothered in fit Of coughing.
You have the carriage?"
mo, | am on foot"
81 shall see you home, then" the
lrtist said, looking troubled This is
lot the best neghborhoo1 in the world
IND 1t is growing dark"
The fierce cough shook him again.
"You shall do nothing of the kind!
he said peremptorily.
Harwood went forward, hat in hand.
"Will you do me the honor of per-
hitting me to accompany you? l am
orry l have not card. My name is
frank Harwood"
She had been listening with a some
What naughty air. She smiled now
With sudden friendliness.
81 shall be glad if you will come
With me-" she said, simply.
On their way she told him about
Brand, whom she had known from
hildhood.
HE is dying" she said 1T is hard
0 help him; he is so proudw
The house before which she paused
yas a magnificent one.
Harwood mustered courage to ask il
e might call.
NO" she sad, gently; and then, as
re9enting 81 shall be at Brands
tudio on Friday"
She ran up the steps.
Needless to say, Harvood was in
he painters room early on Friday
fternoon. The number of orders he
ave quite overwhelmed the artist. She
anne at last, her face like a rose over
,er dark furs.
They met, not quite by chance, many
ines, and still Frank did not learn
er name. He called her Miss Claire.
One evening when he was leaving the
tudio with her, he told her the story
f how he had first happened to come
here.
81 fell in love with pastel por-
raft" he said. q am to-day in love
nth the original. But I know so little
( you it seems like being in love with
spirit. Are you going to punish my
resumption, or reward my darlng?"
She indicated her carriage that stood
t the curb.
Get in," she said, smiling. Il
nance to be driving your way"
The vehicle stopped at his aunts
DOR.
do you know my aunt" he began. |
Just then his aunt came towards
hem.
claire, my dear" she cried. Frank, !
here did you meet Miss Fainsworth?"
"Fainsworth" he repeated, blanllly. |
You"-he reproached Claire-"knew !
lie all the time"
do you think l would have let you
ee me home that night If did not?"
he asked, archly.
What in the world are you children
llking about?" Franks aunt question
d.
They only laughed
Dut there was that in the lovely |
- ~. - l.. u L-n1 l..