The Monitor-register., 1897-06-11
"Nopsense!" answered the mother; SIT

they pay and are admitted. The girl is
thoughtful, and hopes to become an art
teacher by and by, she told me, and I
am sure it is much nicer to have a girl
with artistic tendencies. She dusts and
arranges the parlors with exquisite taste
every caller notices it, and thinks you
girls do it for me; and she handles the
choicest bric-a-brac so carfully. l really
never had 30 faithful a girl"
So Lisbeth continued to attend the class
es, and worked in the early morning in her
attic bedroom, as soon as daylight came
in, and if her pictures were "skyed," it
mattered but little for 40 mt saw them
but herself and the glimpses of the early
sunlight, the first glow in the east that
she watched in those working moods,
formed a picture that always remained in
her memory as long as life lasted.
Lisbeth won the hearts of her fellow
sevants by many little acts of kindness,
till Kitty, the parlor maid, told her in
confidence that she was tryin to study
arithmetic and bookkeeping so as to take
a situation in a store some day as sales
woman.
"Could you make more money and be
as comfortable?" Lisbetb ventured to
ask.
"No," answered Kitty. sturdily,l shut
| shall be treated as a human being in
the house where l board, and be indie
pendent. l don't mind the ~work-that's
easy; but it's having Miss Maude look
at me as if l was a post and talk to other
girls about the servants az if we were
not of the same flesh and blood. She
doesn't aver wait until our backs are
turned, but treats US like the dirt under
our feet" and Kitty's little democratic
head gave a toss of scorn as she spoke.
Lisbeth often saw the young ladies
busy with their desultory drawing, but
they never seemed to consider her as a
human being, with thoughts and feelings,
or capable of observing. Her training in
early life and at the art school fitted her
to be their companion in everything but
money. Yet there was a great gulf
between them socially, because one had
to earn her daily bread by the labor of her
hands.
Professor PontelIe was much interested
in his quiet scholar; her grave, pensive
face, the deep thoughtfulness of her pure
gray eyes reminded him of the wife of his
early manhood, who was taken from him
during the first year of their married life.
1t was ten years ago that she died, and he
had never seen a woman on whom he cared
to bestow a second glance; they were SO
frivolous, many of them had studied art
only for fashions sake, forsooth, but this
young girl seemed to enter into his
methods and understand his moods. He
watched her closely; saw how lonely
she appeared, and apart from the rest;
even penetrated the feeling that was to
be seen among his fashionable pupils,
who seemed not to care about making
any social advances toward her. Was
she not their equal in position? he curled
his lip up in scorn. His own father had
been a blacksmith and a peasant before
they left Europe; he was alone. and
could snap his fingers at the world if this
girl would only consent to be his wife.
And all the while Lisbeth labored on in
silence, serene, ambitious and hopeful,
determined to master the art of teaching
as we'll as the teaching of art, and fit
herself for more oongenialemployment.
The closing of the summer term came
in June, and a reception was given to
the pupils and their friends. The rooms
were crowded; fashion smiled on anything
aristocratic and delighted to honor the
handsome professor who presided over
the school.
Foremost among the gay were Maude
and Mignon Lyster, who enjoyed such
gatherings, but wished particularly to
see and cnisseise Lisbeth's work. After
some music, 1t was announced that an
essay would as usual be read by one of
the pupils, and when Lisbeth appeared in
her simple white dress, with no ornaments
but a bunch of pale roses a. her throat
and belt, the audience listened atteD-
lively to her words. Calmly, and in her
rich deep tones, she spoke of "Simplicity
of Art" and when the last eloquent
words we're said, was greeted with
rapturous but wellbred applause. AS she
stood alone the pleased professor gave
her his arm and escorted her down the
long room, stopping now and then to
introduce her to some gentlemen who
wished to congratulate the fair essayist.
A few minutes passed in pleasant con-
versation, when suddenly there fell upon
her ears the voice of Mauds Lyster, sharp
and clear. Didn't you know, Mr.
Wilburn? Why she is housemsid. Mamma
indulgeDtly allows her time to attend
evening school, but l think there ought
to be rules to exclude that class"
The young man addressed was a dandy
OF the first water, and put up his eye
glass to stare at Lisbeth's pale face, but
the professor had heard the words, too,
and he hurried her to a quiet corner, and
procuring q cup of tea, gave it into her
trembling hand as he commenced an
argument on the taste and culture of the
age with a rival professor who stood near.
II wish to see you home" said the
professor, with a sudden, impetuous
manner, when she spoke of leaving, and
she folded her hands in her lap and
quietly awaited the leave.taking of the
rest. 1t wcs over at last, and he stood in
the hall as she came out of the cloak
room. The moon shoue brightly and the
scent of the roses was strong in the little
park they had TO cross to reach Mrs.
Lyster's.
"It shall not happen again. Miss" said
Lisbeth, as she made her way for the last
time to her attic studio.
"Child, l want to know your history
he said when he started, and in a few
sentences she told him all, and he in turn
talked of his lonely home, his dead Anna
and all his past.
81 have been loving you for a long
time, my Lisbeth. but only tonight
found courage to speak"
But" she said, shivering in the warm,
sweet air, ''you cannot marry mel am
only a 'bousemaid.'"