Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-29
THE MISSING NILLAIs.


A dull li0nuOn dltcrhoV" was i""e
wav into a murky twilight. One by
)one The la mps lighted up in the streets.
and the gloom gathered in the garret
IN which Jack Chatteris sat painting
presently that gentleman threw down
brushes and palette with sigh.
THANK goodness. that's six finished!
TN run them down to Old Broadbean
before he shuts up >hap. Then | caa
buy new pair of boots for tomor-
row.
He laughed rather bitterly and
strobe across to the window to look
out upon the chimneypots Of Camden
Town.
The prospect was not eyhilaratlng,
hut it exercised weird fascination
upon Jack (hatteris as he stood at
the window of his garnet and ratified
swo half-pennes against latchkey
that was A week behind in its rent.
A CLEAN Of gold shore in the Western
sky behind .he forest Of chimneypofs'
"That is the gold of her hair,
Thought Jack.
A very dirty chimney stack wrthed
hideously in the foreground.
"That's me- thought Jack sadly,
"aald she's as far away from me as
the sunset"
And, after all. "she" was only as
far away as Park Lane.
Jack was painting her portrait,
which. when finished. was to be SUB.
mitted to the hanging committee OF
the Royal Academy.
IF they don't hang me ! shall have
to hang myself Jack used to think
in his more Responding moments.
Her father was soap-bolllng MIL
1ionaire
Jack was re son of pot-boiling ar
fist. Therein lay the cause of his
despondency, for in painting the lady's
portrait upon his canvas he had like
wise painted it upon his heart and, to
make matters worse, the canvas was
nearly finished.
can go on painting in high lights
and putting them out again for many
more weeks" he unused sadly, "and the
old lady is already beginning to slls-
pect me of working with dry brush
This surmse was more correct than
even Jack himself dared to think.
Lady Silverton did suspect the young
artist Of secret hankering after her
fair daughter. MoreoveE she had no
ticed certain wistful look in her
daughters eyes of late.
"Never mind about the portrait be-
ing finished, John. Its fashionable
to leave em smudgy nowadays Lady
Silverton had remarked to her hus-
band "Pay the young man his money
and let him 60. | believe our Mays
getting soft ON him, and Pm sure he's
in love with her.
'Bosh! mother Sir John had re-
piled. MAY knows better. She only
looks lpensive-like because she's hav-
ing her portrait painted"
Mailing his pot-boilers together, Jack
Sailed forth to sell them to Broad
bean, the dealer, at starvation prices
The next day came the final sitting
He was ushered into Lady Silverton's
morning-room.
Hardly had the servant left 4
room when the door opened and Miss
Silverton herself approached him.
She was pale, but outwardly com
posed.
IL wish, Mr. Chatteris," she begar
with a slight catch in her throat, "tc
thank you for the pains and care yor
have bestowed upon my portrait, am
hope you will accept this as a mem
DRY of these pleasant hours
She slipped small paint box iNd
his hand.
No words passed between them, but
each understood the thought thai
possessed the Others mind.
At length Jack spoke.
as it possible" said he, half in in
terrogation.
Miss Silverton nodded. Then came
Sob
This was too much for Jack. He
took her unresisting in his arms.
Forgive me, dear I have been a
wicked fool to fall in love with you
You must forgive me-"
Miss Silverton shook her head.
81 can't-I-I WON'T" she sobbed
81 told mamma so this morning."
: Mr.. Chatteris whistled under his
\ breath.
\ 1.-THE old dragon!' he murmured.
\ Mamma is not a dragon" corrected
Miss Silverton, "She is quite right;
y Rt-but--"
f0f course replied Jack. whose
! Of a sudden became uplifted with
snighty Joy; "but I'll work like a
ger-I'll become a royal acade-
fian-T'll-"
cThat's just what | told mamma.
e.nfposed Miss Slverton, with di,
w smile.
" this moment there came a sound
Footsteps in the passage. In sec
miss Silvertown's handkerchief was
her pocket, while the voice of Jack
fhatteris was raised in favorable
criticism of the most hopeful of spur.
fous old masters.
Lady Silverton entered the room,
tcleared up for action" as Jack after.
ward APPLY summed up her appear
lance.
Armed with the knowledge that