Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-10-15

and wife, who followed the fashion.
She was fluffy little blond, who wore
smart teagowns. She took great
fancy to Mary, because, she told her:
you're different from the rest of us.
Now | couldn't live in the room with
that Madonna She'd be a standing re-
proach to me, but she's your twin sis
ter. You don't belong in New York.
You never will"
She grew to love the woman VINO was
so unlike herself, and for Mary's sake
she developed IA great deal of unselfish-
ness. Occasionally, she gave up her
bon-bons that she might send Mary
some flowers to remind her of the coun-
try. She and her husband sometimes
insisted that Mr.. and Mrs. Fenton spend
the evening with them, and then wine
was brought out, and there was much
hearty, commonplace talk from the city
editor and his gay wife. But Mary WIS
happier when she was alone with Paul.
In the spring new hope had come
into her life. Paul coming home one
night, found her standing before the
Madonna and child in absorbed silence.
were parted. She did not hear the step
until he was close behind her.
"What is it, dearest?" he said. What
are you thinIing?"
She started, and then turned a softly
flushed, happy face to his.
"Ah, dear, | have not told you. |
prayed. God has answered. want our
little child to look like the Christ-chid
| there"
Paul put his arms about her, and
drew her to him in silence.
"When our boy comes, I'll paint you
with him in your arms-cal it the
mother and child"
''It couldn't be Madonna, dear. I'm
not good enough"
Good enough! You wait ard see
what a picture I'll make of you with
Paul. junior, against your breast II
will do for an altar piece. But don't
get morbid over the fancy. Talk baby
'othes with the little lady downstairs.
It's better than gazing too much at that
white-faced Virgin"
tive been looking at dozens of them
.o-day. | was at SMELLS, and because
hey know you, they let me look through
whole portfolios of religious pictures
There was a Christ-child of Raphael's-
oh, so beautifully"
81 didn't get that order expected"
Paul said suddenly.
That means we mustn't go to the
shore in August"
"You must go, Mary"
And leave you'll"
The summer in the city stole the color
from Mary's cheeks, and Paul was doub-
Y anxious. His work did not sell. and
no new orders were given for portraits;
but he was hopeful that with the au-
jumn would come changes for the bet
ter.
October famed itself away, and with
The cray November days came more dis
appointments. Real poverty entered the
little studio. The table d'hote dinners
were given up. Mary cooked the even
ing meal herself, and Paul pretended
that he liked the new arrangement
much better. 1t is more cozy, more
home!ihe. The wife of the city editor
OWNED how things stood with the chill
,lren,' as she called Paul and his wife.
and she grew more tactful; did less for
Mary, but watched her more, and was
careful that she was not left too long
alone. For the brooding, far-away look
aame into her fair, Madonna face. often
r than the wife of the city editor
lhought was good, either ior herself or
the child. y hush of Npectationrseemed
to fall uron the little household, as the
time drew near. The tiny garments
were all made and laid away in rose
caves and lavender. Mary would sit
by the hour now with her hands folded.
while Paul worked in silence; now and
then looking up to smile at her and nod
his head as if to say
"1ts all right sweetheart"
In the evening when he could not
work, he would read to her, while she
sat at his feet, with her head against
his knee.
One morning, a few days before Christ
mas, a letter came to Paul. that brought
the color to his face and the light to his
eyes.
81 knew things would turn" he said,
2aily, to Mary, who was looking over
his shoulder at the letter.
"The Boston Institute of Science
wants a portrait of its founder, John
Eggleston-you've heard of him-you
remember his picture, queer old fell
low with very printable head-deep
lines. rugged Heaturcs-al that sort of
thing. The baby shall have a silver mug
now, and what you call 'em rattles, and
everything an orthodox youngster
ought to have, and you shall have a
pink tea gown-well, all | can say is.
the city EDITORS wife won't be in it,"
Mary laughed.
And you shall have new overcoat,
and well 20 TO the Iiotel Martin for din
ner, and invite those dear, kind people
downstairs to go with us-wont we,
dear?"
"oh. e@erything! German opera, later
no standingroom tickets-rea two
dollar seats in the family circle"
But who'll mind the baby?" Mary
asked and then they both laughed and
said they hadn't thnuuht nf tbot