The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1899-08-03
Observation-Disclosures S8'o25o5gs15OcCSss
! 4 LETTER OF REFUSAL. =
9 '''':'''''''' 6!
Observation-Disclosures SS9s3ss8SaSs92sSS5sss


And she doesn't mind my having a
studio, if I'll nix one up at home, but
she doesn't think II looks we'll for me
TO have one in this building and run in
aud out OF here all the time-and 50
I've got TO move tomorrow"
This time she forgot to dry the tear.
aud il ran forlornly down her cheek
aud fell with a splash on a study of the
head Of john the Baptist that lay on
the door.
For moment there was silence, then
John suddenly pushed back his easel
and pull a writing table toward him.
We'll. II you can't come tomorrow,
| suppose I'll have 10 help you write
your letter to-day" he said. but there
was an unnatural sound In his voice
and Jean looked up hastily through her
tears.
Johns face was grimly set, however,
and told her nothing.
Let me sect was Hinsdale,
think you said'-he went on, still with
that grating sound In his voice.
Yes" she replied. miserably, agaln
having recourse 10 the crumpled sash
And think we told him, in our last,
that we'd be sister TO him. he pro
ceeded. nibbling the end OF his pen.
something OF that sort" And she
flushed warmly. clear up TO the curly
waves OF dark hair on her temples.
Evidently the sister racket won't
go down with Hinsdale.' he said, re
nectively. You might offer TO be his
maiden aunt, you know
There. knew you'd be horrid.
she exclaimed, Indignantly.
Its delicate job" he went on, re
dectlvely. Are You quite sure you
mean TO refuse him this timer
"Of course | am" she burst out in
dignantly. "You don't suppose could
care for boy like him, do yonT
HE has IA nice eye for color" pro
ceeeded John, drawing faces ON the
margin of the paper-faces that had
big, soft eyes and pouting lips, strange
ly like the girl on the hassock, and
his drawings are wonderfully strong.
He's gifted fellow, Is Hinsdale-the
best pupil | have"
Yes, he's gifted enough" she as
scented.
I've often wondered why he faneied
you" said John.
"Oh, indeedr' she exclaimed. flush
ing once more.
Yes He's a dreamer you know
an idealist-and 1t seems 10 me some
angelic creature little too pure and
good for human natures daily food,
aud that sort OF thing, would be more
In his line than little human bundle
OF naughtiness like YOU" went ON
John, cheerfully. You'd make fell
low like Hnsdale unutterably misera-
BILE. you know"
You're very kind" exclaimed Jean,
crimson with yexatlon. But | shall
not make Mr.. Hinsdale miserable. |
have not the slightest intention of ever
doing So
All" replied John. eOolly. Then
the sooner we write this letter the bet
ter. Now-what do you want to sag to
himT
oh" she cried, struggling with her
anger. You are so disagreeable,
hate you-but I've got to have some
body TO help me- with that letter"
"of course. And you really want to
refuse him-for good and aIl?"
Certainly l do. / want him to I'M
derstand definitely that there is absO-
lutely no hope OF my ever caring for
him in-in the way be means"-and
once more she broke down, blushlng
but defiant.
There's only one way to make a
man understand that" said John medl-
tatively.
"Anything-so long as he under
stands and leaves on belng-belng sill
| w." she cried impatientIy.
John made no reply to this, but after
moments deep thought commenced
to write rapidly.
Five minutes passed, during which
Johns pen scratched lndustriously
over the paper and Jean sat bolt up
right on her hassock, staring ut the
| picture on the canvas. 1t was n pale
watery sunset that shed green CLEANS
of light Oh wide, lonesome landscape,
In the center OF which a woman stood
alone, gazing with desolate, hopeless
eyes at the retreating figure of man
on horseback. II was painted with In
imitable skill and strange wild power
that had made John Steele the most
famous Of the younger school of paint
ers. What an artist he was and what
a friend he had been to her. And now
she must go away and perhaps never
see him again, except In the class
with the others. All those hours OF
merry comradeship were oyer-neyer
to come again; all the sweet work aud
play together A great sob came up ia
her throat. but just then John threw
down his pen aud she choked down the
sob aud rising, reached out her hand
for the letter.
But he did not give 1t to her as she
expected.
1T is a difficult thing to do he said.
ITO make man understand that no
matter how much he cares for you, you
can never care for him.
Yes, | suppose 1t is" she assented
But you have done it. I'm sure"
Indeed. | may say there's only one
way TO convince a fellow OF such III
unpleasant fact he went OH.
But you employed it?' she asked
eagerly.
Yes. You may think II an extreme
| M "A . -.
And lie read aloud: