The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-13
J Clint LOTlng'S NeIghbOr
ny JENNY WREN,


ing over his easel all day, and was
worn out in mind and body.
Painting for amusement and paint
ing to keep the wolf from the door he
found to be totally different matter.
In days gone by his studio had been
constantly thronged, not with buyers
the had no need to foster his geniuH,
but with friends and admirers--those
who smoked his cigars and drank his
wine, as they dilated on the merits of
his pictures.
He had neither the one nor the
other now to offer them, and the pic
lures seemed to have lost their charm.
Fortunately, there were few dealers
who cared more for art than the artist,
and so when Clint one morning
wakened to find himself practically
beggafed, he determined to make his
talents available, and so he quietly
moved away from the large and expen-
sive quarters he had so luxuriousiy
furnished to the plain upper room
where we now find him dreaming,
perhaps, of the past, when suddenly
A.womans voice, rich, sweet and clear,
breaks upon his reverie.
Ale starts, awakened in an instant,
and listens to the end.
II is in the very room next his own.
Nothing but thin partition divides
the two. Only last night a mans
tread, heavy and somewhat uncertain,
denoted its occupant. Tonight all
had been silence, until the pure notes
rang out upon the evening air.
Somehow they fingered in Clint
Loring's dreams that night, again with
IN echo of the dim past, when he had
stalls at the opera by the season, and
could crafty the very passion for
music which possessed him.
The room had had many tenants
since he had occupied his own; but,
with the next mornings dawning, his
first thoughts few to hts neighbor,
with regretful wonder whether she,
too. would be- fleeing like the rest.
It seemed not, for, as the days
merged into weeks, there were many
moments when Clint would forget his
palette and brush, and listen en-
tranced.
He grew to feel strange interest
In his unknown neighbor. Never yet
had he been able to catch glimpse of
her face. Sometimes light, quick
step would pass his door, but, let
him turn his head howsoever quickly,
it had disappeared.
| One night, returning home, rather
later than usual, he caught sight, just
ahead, entering the door, OF stylish,
girlish figure, which ran lightly and
swiftly ahead of him up the stairway.
} The figure was graceful, the dress
plain, but he had little time to observe
either as she hurried into her room
and closed the door.
! A sudden impulse caused him to re-
trace. his steps, and when next he ap-
peAred, he bore carefully in his arms
. rosebush full OF blossoms. He
neither paused nor hesitated until he
stood at his neighbor's threshold, when
he knocked, A moment later the door
opened, and the owner Of the room
stood revealed before him.
It wns face worthy the voice. A
little. worn. little pale, perhaps, for
beauty, but with its wondering blue
eyes and framework of Titan hair,
one could easily imagine how perfect
would be the picture, with here and
there an added dash of color.
Both stood in silence, she inquir-
ingly, he wondering how he should
begin, when he spoke:
''You will pardon my intrusion,
hope, but fear If leave these flowers
in my room they will fade and wither.
I have not much time to give attention
TO such things. May I leave them with
your"
''Oh, how lovely! Indeed, indeed
you mayi Thank you, very much,'
stopping to kiss one of the blossoms
Of the plant she held in her hands.
'.But how came You to think Of me, q
stranger?"
IL had heard you sing, and knew
yuu were woman, and oil women
love flowers. May come in and tell
yOu more about it? Ny name is Clin.
Loring, and l am your next-door
neighbor. If wait to be formally
presented, fear I shall never know
you."
For . minute she hesitated, then q
bright smile lit up her face, as she
locked into the honest eyes awaiting
IN answer to his question. Handsome
syes they were, too, which had found
tAoir way to many woman's heart
60 she answered:
eyes, you may come in. 1t seems
strange to receive visitors, but I bid
yoa welcome. am Mrs. Andrews .
Did his ears. deceive himp Wa
that young girl . wifee Perhaps .
widow, he thought, with Q glance al
~ black dress. since she seems alone
.an& desolate.
~ she was not alone; for, as hs
1Dnsned the threshold, he noticed ii
- eoFner an old woman knitting.
q y ny aunt. /" she explained
r1l|he n growing very old, but I dread
~ 1lne ~hnn 6he VII lesve No alona
g ~ e 4 1slea4 q miae, ~