The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-14
An Artists Dilemma.

just returned nome from ueiASnUio4
summer in the country. where she had
made many pleasant acquaintances Mrs.
Jennings, beautiful old lady. had shown
her so much kindness that she decorated
a quantity shaped cup and saucer ana
sent il 10 her as a token Of remembrance
Mrs. Jennings was so pleased with the
dainty gift that she replied saying she
priced it more than any piece OF emma
she possessed.
Among Mil6red's acquaintance only one
man bore the distinction of being called
a friend.
Jerome Graham, the successful portrait
painter, a fine looking. athletic young
man, was her ideal. He had met Mildred
Vaughn in the studios and admired her
exceedingly. Having completed some flne
portraits, he gave private view TO some
friends. TO which Mildred received an in
vitatfon.
The momentous evening arrived, and,
6onning a simple black gown OF fiimsy,
cinging material. with a cluster OF beau
tiful jacqueminot roses al her belt. she
Looked charming
Mildred had paused before the picture
of a beautiful woman, when she saw her
hest approaching. Standing as she did.
beside the portrait, the proud, statuesque
beauty in the painting made an admirable
foil for her, which the artistic eye Of
Jerome was not slow to appreciate. Her
simple. girlish manner completely fascin-
ated him, and he longed TO gather her
UP in his arms and tell her ne loved her.
Being an informal gathering, he escort
ed Mildred 10 a quiet corner and gave
himself up to the enjoyment of her so
Getty, the art which they had in common
drawing them together. even If Cupid
had nothing to do with 1t.
Suddenly remembering his duties as host
he asked Mildred if she would honor
him by presiding at the tea urn, which she
did with a dainty grace Of manner many
an older matron might envy. Meanwhile,
Jerome, who seemed TO his older friends
more like gay schoolboy than the sedate
man of the world they were accumtomed
TO see. passed the simple luncheon TO his
guests.
Mildred was thoroughly enjoying her
self when. glaneing at the tray before
her, she noticed a tiny cup and saucer
which seemed strangely familiar. At that
moment one of the other ladies came to
her prOfering her assistance, which she
gladly welcomed at the same time say
ing she would take the cup of tea.
Selecting the cup and saucer which had
caught her eye, she was about to sat
isfy herself as TO its identity, when Je-
rome came up and escorted her 10 a seat.
other than the little gift she had sent 70
Mrs Jennings.
She could not help sudden feeling Of
repulsion for the handsome young man
before her, who was showing in such a
marked way what a fancy he had taken
10 damure little Mildred Vaughn. She
tried to talk, but her mind was full Of
suspicion. ''How did ii get here?" she
asked herself. Noticing her distressed
She family answered, YES" adding that
i he would speak to her chaperon she
would go, as she was tired. Bidding him
good night, she ended what had been, for
a few short hours, the happiest time of
her life. but feeling herself to be, at that
moment. the most miserable woman in all
the world.
Mildred had decided views as to right
and wrong, and she did not sympathize
with those souvenir hunters who, without
the knowledge of their host. take any lit
tie article which may please their fancy.
It was simply theft; no other name could
be applied TO it.
The fact of Jerome Graham having that
cup and saucer in his possession proved
him TO be, in her mind, one of that class.
The next day, before finally judging
him, however, she decided to write Mrs.
Jennings. briefly stating the facts, with
out mentioning Jerome's name, TO see il
Fhe could give her any information on
the subject.
Having finished her letter, she started
to leave the room, when she stood face
to face with Jerome Graham. who had
called to inquire for her welfare after her
sudden indisposition the evening before.
AS he came forward to greet her the let
ter fell at his feet, and he stopped to pick
it up. He could not fail to read the adj
dress as he did So and Mildred saw his
face change color as he handed it back.
"A guilty conscience" she thought. us
Mrs. Jennings a friend of yours, Mr..
Graham?" she inquired.
Mrs. Jennings is my aunt, Miss
Vaughn, and to her I own all the sue
cess have ever achieved"
With a SUDDEN impulse Mildred tore
open the letter, saying; Perhaps. then,
you can explain this letter better than
she"
Quickly glancing through it. the clouds
cleared from his vision. Miss Vaughn,
I beg your forgiveness. Some weeks ago,
while visiting Aunt May. I induced her
to send her collection of rare china to
a loan exhibition. In the cabinet was
tiny cup and saucer, which she asked
me to be especially careful of. saying it
was a gift from the sweetest little wO
man she had ever met I promised, and
instead Of sending it with the rest to the
exhibition, I left it in my studio, where
1 thought it would he safer. l was about
to tell you what 1 knew of its history
when you suddenly fell H.
As Jerome concluded Mildred. looking
into his manly face. humbly murmured
an apology. Her face in its mute agony
showed him so plainly how she had suf-
fered, and clasping her TO his breast he
exclaimed: Now if you viii consent, we
will write to Aunt May together, and I
shall say that the sweetest little woman
in all the world has promised to be my
wife. Viii you. Mildred ?"-Boston Post.