The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-16

blandly AS he manufactured this weak
explanation.
"Your supper last night must have
been too much for you, though l
should have supposed you would have
slept off the effects. At any rate, as
this is fine morning, let us walk on
down town. I'd like to take you in to
see some water colors at Browns.
Speaking about water colors. what
are you going to do with that head?
You won't sell it, will you?"
"Will I? Won't /, if can find any
patron of art who appreciates it to the
tune of 500 or so? This art for arts
sake is all very poetical, but the time
is coming, my boy, when must earn
my living"
John looked at his brother in sur
prise, but Elliott continued:
"You know, I can't always expect
to live on your bounty, Jack. You
may be wishing TO marry some day
YOURSELF"
81 don't know about that. We are
all liable to succumb, but don't send
that head to Browns anyway. I want
1t, and if I take it you can show it at
the spring exhibition, and perhaps
gain glory, if not wealth. And Ill
supply the funds, old chap, till your
pictures bring your own price, which
will possibly be sooner than you
think, if you can make more ideal
heads like this last one."
The subject was settled in Johns
way, which was always the best way,
though Elliott really wondered a
little at Johns fancy for the ideal
head.
Tho mind of John Ainsworth was
full of but one subject all that week,
and street.car riding became steady
habit, his hope being to catch another
glimpse of the hazel eyes. But for
tune did not seem to favor him.
One morning he remembered the
golden cross and bethought himself
that some effort should be made to
find it's rightful owner, Suiting the
action to the word, he wrote descrip-
tion of it and inserted it in the adver-
tisement column of the morning pa
per. The following day brought an
answer, stating that the owner would
be very grateful if the finder would
return the cross to her home, giving
the very apartment house where John
lived. That evening John called at
No. 25 and asked for Miss Muriel Mari.
gold, waiting listlessly till the owner
of the cross should come in, but when
she did glide softly into the room she
glided also into his heart, for who
should it be but the possessor of the
hazel eyes!
1t was the sweet-faced girl who
spoke first.
ssThank you so much, Mr.. Aims
worth. for bringing my little cross.
It is an old keepsake and was given
to me when was child. 1 regretted
its loss exceedingly, but when 1 saw
you had it," she aided, mischievously,
II knew it was safe. Let me thank
you, warmly"
John was astonished to hear his
name from her lips and to have her
refer to the street car episode, but he
pulled himself together and replied:
cit is great pleasure for me to
have been of any service to you. 1
am only sorry that I should have ua.
Willingly kept it from you so long. "
'Oh, that is all right, Mr.. Aims
worth; I hope now that we have met
we may be friends. Your brother
and often meet in the elevator, and,
though we only nod and smile, 1 feel
that We are old acquaintances."
"Yes; let US be friends.
Two months later at the spring ex-
hibition of water colors three persons
stood before a painting which was
catalogued as an "Ideal Heal"
"It is very like yes, very like, /"
said the elder of the two young men.
''There is only one thing lacking-.-
the golden cross-for that, you know,
is what brought me my sweet"
"Hush, John, DEAR" whispered the
girl who looked so like the picture.
call right, old fellow, I'll put il
the cross; you always get everything
you want" the younger man said,
rather wistfully, as he moved on, ap-
parently much interested in a large
painting near by, leaving the other
two standing close together, seeing
more beautiful pictures IN each others
eyes than ever hung on any wall 80