Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-01-30

and Innocence, Of all good things in
life
At Twcnty~Two.
The curtain has gone down ON the
last stage picture, the Immense audi
ence has turned its back upon the
orchestra, which Is pouring out IN
stenortan tones the stirring strains Of
The Star Spangled Banner" Fashion
and beauty have been present to hear
Il star of unusual magnitude read one
OF Shakespeare wonderful characters
in the process Of play and they are
going out more than ever impressed
with the great bard's wonderful
knowledge of the natures aud man
ners and genius OF men.
In u right-hand box some ladies have
been sitting during the performance.
deeply interested until the next to tho
hnal act, when the principal character
leaves the stage, He has been the
guest Of the elderly woman NJ dinner,
for he is one OF societys tavoritcs
wherever he goes. With the box
party there is a dark girl in red
cloak, rich velvet rutlles close about
her throat, red flower in her lefty
hair, and few more are IN her hand,
This is Janet Townsend nj ~, the
clever artist whose work depicts many
scenes in books Of the day, whose pom
and-ink sketches are sought by pub
fishers everywhere.
The ladies are waiting for the crowd
to pass CW SO they NAY 80 comfort
ably TO their carriage. then the stage
door swings and the star Is standing
with them n man Of some 81, straight
and firm, eyes dark and touder az a
woman's, and hair that Is touched
with tint N sunshine He Is CON
spiCunus figure In the world of men,
yet there Is not q single trick of man
ncr nor Distinguishing feature or
whim to attract, brilliant, straight
forward, honest and sincere, n poet IN
nature he secs the beautiful Of life,
and recognizes II everywhere,
Tho ladies' shake hands with him
with words of praise and thanks FOR a
delightful evening. Janet Is the last
to offer her hand, and the others are
passing out toward the lobby as she
does So
They walk slowly up the short flight
of steps he still holding her fingers
as IL in assistance.
There Is something very peculiar
about this" he Is saying. Il have
never met you until today, and yet It
seems ms If | had known you all my
life" The full glare of the electric
light Is falling upcn her upliGted face,
A flush crccps mp to her cheeks, maxi
ing them almost the tint of the ruff
tes about her throat, She smilos
brightly,
"perhars we met In some other
world, she says.
Il am sure we have not; | should
me you have made some character
sketches from one OF my plaNa.'
~ made them from your photo
graphs Would you like to scc lhcm?"
May 10"
IF you care to come tomorrow
afternoon | shall be pleased to show
them to you.
lie puts her into the carriage with
her friends and then stands for II mo-
ment looking after the hroughnm
rolling down the white nsphalted
street.
What n glorious woman"
Janet Townsends studio is a simple
place whore artists may always be
sure of finding kindred souls on Fri
day afternoon, where newspaper mon
and publishers drop In and get ideas
for this or that. Pictures. drapcrics.
ported plants, portfolios and hundreds
OF sketches In black and white are all
about
Janet tx talking to n well known
publisher about a cover design when
the star enters She drops the piece
of cardboard and goes forward to
greet him.
II am glad you have come" The
welcome Is simple, but the flush on
her face speaks more than words.
She shows him the sketches, exquIs-
lie work from photographs IN charaC-
ter, and one by one, us the day Is
drawing to n close. the visitors DRIFT
out and they are left alone
A sort OF embarrassment crceps over
both.
You have had successful season.
Very"
And you Will come this way
again."
Il hope So He looks up quickly;
she raises her eyes He reaches out
his hand and takes one OF hers.
Shall | see you when come again.
may hope that you will look for
His voice has grown very tender and
he Ia spej king hastily Into her dark
eyes steals the old sweet wistfulness
they used to wear and her lips are
trembling. lie notes this no notes
all THIS, and the tight clasp on her
hand ligthens.
Il am glad met you. Miss Town.
send | shall always remember you"
He drops her hand "Adieu." She 10
looking at him now; he raises her