Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-09-07

portrait. Wllle the ARTIST CfllltdllN ar
ranged Der draperies and adjusted the
shades and screens.
The maid had remained in the dress
ing-room.
And so these are positively the last
final touches. are they, Mr.. Sprague?"
asked the young girl, mischievously,
after few minutes. you artists seem
10 be quite as uncertain about your
farewell appearances as any famous ac-
tress or singer"
The artist looked up quickly as the
girl spoke. An expression Of pain
crossed his features.
"Yes, Miss Murdoch" he &c.. wered,
gravely. Il shall not have to trouble
you to pose again."
Miss Murdock's attention was at
tracted by the melancholy note in his
voice. She observed him from the cor
ner of her eyes in kindly curiosity.
The artist fell into a moody silence.
For awhile he worked with feverish ac-
tivity at the portrait; and then, grad
ually falling into a fit of melancholy
abstraction. he sat, with poised brush,
gazing intently at the beautiful girl
before MIN. His task forgotten, he
was apparently unconscious that he
was taking advantage of his privileged
position TO stare at his fair subject. Ag
mes felt his burning glance and was en-
barrassed by it; but, womanlike, she
retained control of herself. outwardly,
at all events, as she uttered some COM
monplace remark. which broke the
spell and brought the artist to his
senses with a sharp consciousness of
his rudeness. He replied to the young
girls question in a low, changed voice,
and then relapsed into gloomy silence.
After an awkward interval he asked,
suddenly:
Are you so very glad. Miss Murdoch,
that our sittings are almost over"
"Why. no, Mr.. Sprague," replied Ag-
mes: 81 did not mean that. OF course
I shall be glad when the portrait is
finished, because | wish TO have ii home
and TO let my friends see it. But l
should be indeed ungrateful If | be-
grudged my poor little time and trou-
BILE, when yours have been so layishly
and so ungrudgingly spent"
These sittings have been a source
of so much pleasure 10 me-" continued
Sprague, thoughtfully, that l have
selfshly overlooked the fact that they
could Only be an annoyance and bore
10 you. | fear have needlessly pro-
longed them.
But. indeed, Mr.. Sprague, l assure
YOU il has been ANYTHING but bore TO
me TO pose i AIN Sure 1 snall miss the
pleasant morning hours hare spent
here"
They have been the happiest hours
of my life" said Sprague, earnestly. in
low voice, and now they are nearly
gone-forever."
Agnes started slightly, blushed and
riveted her gaze upon the dainty white
hands which lay clasped together in
her lap. Her bosom rose and fell in
quickened fluctuations.
why forever, Mr.. Sprague?" she
asked, softly; do you think Of leav-
ing New York;"
No." he replied quickly; at is you
who are about to desert this studio,
which for a short time has been
frightened by your presence"
We'll" interrupted Agnes. "since
you are not going 10 leave New York,
l hope you will continue to call on
us"
II suppose l shall continue to call
on your reception days, if that is
what you mean" said Sprague, some
what disconsolately.
Now that" laughed Agnes, lis not
in line with the polite things you have
been saying"
II did not mean 10 say anything
rude, Miss Murdoch, but a call on
your reception day is call on your
guests. Surrounded as you are on
such occasions. one has barely
chance TO catch a glimpse of you,
much less TO speak with you"
I'VE are always glad TO see our
friends at other times than on our
reception days"
do you really mean il? ?" asked the
artist eagerly. MAY | call on you
sometimes when the crowd is not
there
1--WE shall be happy TO have you
call at any time, Mr.. Sprague."
Sprague thought he detected
slight emphasis on the pronoun.
But ii is not we wish to call on.
1t is you, Miss Murdoch"
Once more the young girls express
i've eyes fixed their gaze upon the del
icate hands in her lap, and once more
there was a scarcely perceptible fut-
ter beneath the lace which lay upon
her white throat.
The artist sat with intent eyes
fixed upon her.
"Of course l shall be pleased 10
have you call at any time, Mr..
Sprague," she said, after a brief in
slant.
What more could any sane man ex.
pect a modest girl to say? 1t is not SO
much the words spoken as the manner
of their utterance that conveys mean
ing. But il is truism that a lover