The Dickinson press., 1897-02-06


But she was obdurate to all his ap-
peals.
Don't argue with me or try to
change my views" she said. This is
no mere whim. On the contrary, it is
a serious matter. decided upon these
conditions years ago. II you cannot
do as l have suggested we are not fit-
ted for each other"
1t was the most difficult problem
which Clarence Hays practical mind
had ever been called upon to solve.
There were times when he had serious
doubts Of Miss Pearson's sanity, and
had she been less attractive woman
he would have abandoned all hope Of
winning her and left her to find some-
body else to do her illustrating. But
whenever he began to consider that
course of action the valves Of his
heart contracted with q sudden spasm
of desolation, and he would once more
begin cudgeling his brain for a possi-
BILE clew to the theme Of her story. He
hunted up every old magazine and
newspaper in which she had ever had
anything published and read her work
carefully, in the hope of thereby gain
ing some idea of what might natural
ly be expected of her. But she had
written in many veins and he might
as we'll have tried to read a solution
in the stars as in the printed pages
whereon she mirrored the state of her
mind in the days gone by. Besides, in
none of them was there visible a trace
of the belief in the supernatural that
had characterized their last conversa-
tion, and the theories then expressed
left him more mystified as to her prob
able subject than anything else could
have done.
She had stipulated that at the end
of month he should have come to her
with his drawings. Then they were
to read her story and examine the pic
lures together. II each was the COM
plement of the other she would marry
him as soon as he wished. Three
weeks Of the allotted time had passed
away and Clarence Hay had fretted
duu 1uuCO ulMoCAA InlO d "ClC 0nduOW
of his former robust self, but with all
his worrying and speculating no wan
dering- shaft from her high train of
thought had pierced his obtuse brain.
He studied out plot every night in
his dreams, but they were all differ
ent. and when it came to selecting one
from such a heterogeneous mass of
fancies his predicament was as woeful
as though his slumber had been vision
less He was about to go to her and
explain that as mind-reading was not
his forte his was hopeless case, and
that in the name of justice she ought
to be lenient and rescind her unreason-
able decree.
But just at that time he received an
inspiration.
On the last day of the month he pre-
sented himself before Miss Pearson
with five drawings which were, he fiat
tered himself, the best he had ever
made during his career as an artist.
She read her story. 1t was graphic
description of Syrian life in the slums
of large city and was unique and
strong in conception and execution.
Then he showed his pictures. They
also illustrated Syrian life in the slums
of large city.
She looked at him admiringly.
Never BEFORE" she said, "have
had an article furnished with such ap-
propriate illustrations. You are the
man whom Providence intends me to
marry"
Her admiration and affection were
very sweet, but there was large dose
of gall and wormwood mixed with
Clarence Hays draught Of honey.
Miss Pearson" he said, as he was
getting ready to 60. II haven't been
honest with you. love you too much
to impose upon you. There was no
telepathic correspondence between
your mind and mine to prove that am
your affinity. I came by knowledge in
very material way. Read this let
ter which / received week ago."
He handed her a square sheet of
white paper and she read aloud:
"Mr. Hay: Miss Pearson has finished
her story. 1t is a description of Sy-
rian life in the slums of large city.
Interior of room given in detail Cllus-
trate), Characters are mother and
three little girls illustrate i'll group.)
Youngest child dies with American
doctor at bedside (illustrate) Woman
is we'll educated and superior to aver
age Syrian woman, but very poor Cl-
lustrate as she appears in the street.)
Doctor loves her, but she will not
marry because she believes it to be her
duty to her race to live among them
and elevate them illustrate 'rejection).
"a WELL-WISHER."
"Hold minute. Don't say anything
till tell you ALL" he said, as she
commenced to speak. Il couldn't have
thought Of this from now till the crack
of doom. l didn't know who sent the
letter, whether a mutual friend who
had fathomed your secret or rival to
whom you had confided all, and who
wrote this merely to lead me astray.
But concluded that false scent was
better than none at all, SO went to
work. I spent two days in the Syrian
colony. You see the result. There,
am truthful, even though may be too
practical to suit your TASTE"
He waited for her to say something,
but she only stared at him in surprise.
IF you want to retract your decision
all right" he said, dejectedly, 'but l
think I've earned you"
Still she did not speak. He bowed
himself out of the room and had reach
ed the outer door when she called him
back.
Clarence" she said, standing close
beside him. "you have been honest. ]
haven't. didn't think you would tell
me about that-that-letter. Clarence,
| IT,"
"Well, what?" he asked, as she paus.
ed, timidly.