The Lamar register., 1896-10-31

ever, despite all Jacks Efforts 10 Ihe
contrary. this fascinating fairy was
undeniabiy Transforming herself into
a remarkable resemblance to dainty
Alice Holiey.
ri say. Jack. /" said Mnoriand. auak-
ening from his trance. why don't you
try for that 5000 prize at the inter
state art exhibit this yeargs
Il am thinking OF doing 50. Ashley
replied. as the awfnl thought OF the
cold cash which stood between him and
the realization OF his dreams dawned
upon him. Il was thinking OF it, he
repeated. 'bnt can't decide upon
proper subject"
induce Miss Hoiisy 10 sit for you
suggested Moorland. smiling and call
your picture The South That will
give you a pretext foF visiting Che lSdy
often Couple love and business. you
know. Old man Holley S worth cool
$4,000. and Alice is his only heir be
added. with a satanic ehucklc- Be
Sides" said Moorland. you've seen
that pretty little cottage hos building
over yonder on the hill-0id nAn Hai-
ley told me that vas for his son-in-
law" And MoGrland laughed outright.
The e1asperated Ashley Terminated
pinnging into bed and sinking unoere-
moniousiy to sleep.
Jack did not sec Miss HoIier for ass-
eral days. He even tried 70 avoid his
Jovial roommate as much Ea possible.
lie had made up hts mind TO show his
southern friends that he was no for
tune-hunter. However nov that be
had asked Miss Hoiley's permission 70
visit her ia her home. common coart-
esy demanded that he make ~ ieass one
eail-sor bis words sake He put on
his visit as long as possible, He even
announced his intention OF returning
10 the north. His health. he felt. was
fully restored. Meanwhile, however.
he had no, been idle. He had written
innnmerabie newspaper articles. done
all sorts OF artistic hack-wnrk and had
secretly sent to the ~Interstafe EN-
hihit-' what he considered the picture
Of his life II was called The Happy
American Peasant Il represented
twilight scene In tho famous Piedmont
district" OF North carolins The SIN
had set behind the hills. the skies
were purple and gold and the very hills
themselves were shadow outlines %
dusk and gold A little white towa lay
dreaming among the hilis and al thelr
feet ran a shallow stream beycnd
which. on either side of broad road
that sioped away and vanished 70 the
southward were visible bege and there
distant farm houses. DoWn the road
team OF oxen wandered slowly "af their
own sweet wiil.- and apon the dnapi-
dated cart which they drew lazy.
happy-go-lucky negro sa; singing and
playing the banjo to his hearts son.
tent There was not Light to ba seen
In the picture. Neither sun. moon nor
stars were shown. bot, despite the Een-
erai duskiness Of the scene everything
was distinctly shown aud every feature
Of the negro's face nonld be plainly
seen When the Interstate ExhibIt-
critics examined AshIey's rnasterfri
picture they awarded him the first
prize 81. .00o-and one o, the commit
teemen made him handsome offer for
something from his brush. All this
Jack told his friend Moorland but de-
manded that he keep strict silence In
the matter
Three days before his contemplated
return to the north Ashley visited
Miss Holloy. He found her entertain
ing and modest and perfectly natural
in her manner.
Ashley was Interested. he suddenly
discovered that Miss Hoiley was nm ex-