Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1896-06-12

" a
| this: The young lady who consented
70 sat for me for that picture d,d Sd
out OF her own sweet charity. She liz
| SO beautiful, and makes such fine
| study, ! fancied her face would bring
me orders, where ones less lovely, even
II admirable as likeness, would fail.
need not enumefate to you the reasons
| why II would be dishonorable for me
10 abuse her kindness
understand your reasons, Mr.
Brand and respect them. May give
you an order for life-sized pastel
from this Photographic"
lie 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 l 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
thousand times fairer than the
colored crayons had reproduced it.
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 bowed 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
1T is, indeed" he answered, bright
ly.
Well it is late. l must go. | just
ran in to see how you were getting on
He smothered in fit Of coughing
You have the carriage?"
No, l am on foot"
Il shall see you home, then" the
artist said, looking troubled. This is
not the best neighborhood in the world,
and it is growing dark"
The fierce cough shook him again.
''You shall do nothing of the kindn'
she said, peremptorily.
Harwood went forward, hat in hand.
will you do me the honor of per-
hitting me to accompany you? | am
sorry have not card. My name is
Frank Harwood."
She had been listening with a some
what naughty air. She smiled now
with sudden friendliness.
Il 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
childhood.
He is dying" she said, "It is hard
to help him; he is so proudw
The house before which she paused
was magnificent one.
Harwood mustered courage to ask if
he might call.
No" she said, gently; and then, as
if repenting, II shall be at Brands
studio on Friday"
She ran up the steps
Needless to say, Haryood was in
the painters room early on Friday
afternoon. The number of orders he
gave quite overwhelmed the artist She
came at last, her face like a rose over
her dark furs.
They met, not quite by chance, many
times, and still Frank did not learn
her name. He called her Miss Claire
One evening when he was leaving the
studio with her, he told Der the story
of how he had first happened to come
there.
Il fell in love with pastel por-
trait, he said 81 am to-day in love
with the original. But know SO little
of you it seems like being in love with
a spirit. Are you going to punish my
or reward my daring?"
She indicated her carriage that stood
at the curb.
Get in,' she said, smiling. 81
chance to be driving your way
The vehicle stopped at his aunt's
door.
do you know my aunt?" he began
Just then his aunt came towards
them.
claire, my dear~ she cried. Frank,
where did you meet Miss Fainsworth? ?"
"FainsworthH he repeated, blankly
'You"--he reproached Claire-"knew
me all the time!"
DO you think l would have let you
see me home that night if did not?"
she asked, archly.
What in the world are you children
talking about?' Franks aunt question
ed
They only laughed.
But there was that in the lovely
eyes raised to his which told him he
might plead again-and not in vain.
KATE nj. CLEARY.