Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-08-31

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that our sittings are almost over?"
why. no, Mr.. Sprague,' replied Ag-
mes; 81 did not mean that. OF course
shall be glad when the portrait is
finished, because wish to have it home
and to let my friends see it. But 1
should be indeed ungrateful If be-
grudged my poor little time and trou-
BILE, when yours have been SO lavishly
and so ungrudgingly spent"
"These sittings have been source
of SO much pleasure to me-" continued
Sprague, thoughtfully, that l havs
selfishly overlooked the fact that they
could Only be an annoyance and bore
to you. l fear have needlessly pro-
longed Them
But, indeed, Mr.. Sprague, assure
you it has been anything but bore to
me to pose. 1 am sure shall miss the
pleasant morning hours l have spent
here"
"They have been the happies. 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.. sprague2" she
asked, softly; "do you think Of leav-
ing New York;"
NO." he replied quickly; ut is you
who are about to desert this studio,
which for short time has been
frightened by your presence"
"Well," interrupted Agnes, "since
you are not going to leave New York,
l hope you will continue to call on
u.s."
Il suppose 1 shall continue to call
on your reception days, If that is
what you mean," said Sprague, some.
what disconsolately.
"Now that" laughed Agnes, sis not
in line with the polite things you have
been saying"
Il did not mean to 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 glimpse Of you,
much less to speak with you"
1--WE are always glad to see our
friends at other times than on our
reception days"
$40 you really mean itP" asked the
artist eagerly. May I call on you
sometimes when the crowd Ia not
there?"
I'VE shall be happy to have you
call ct any time. Mr.. sprague."
sprague thought he detected Q
slight emphasis on the pronoun.
But 1t is not we I 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 u scarcely perceptible fut-
ter beneath the lace which lay upon
her white throat.
The artist sat with intent eyes
fixed upon her.
"Of course I shall be pleased to
have you call at any time, Mr..
Sprague," she said, after brief in
slant.
What more could any sane man ex-
pect modest girl to say? 1t is not 30
much the words spoken as the manner
OF their utterance that conveys mean
Ing. But it is truism that lover
is not sane man. sprague was not
yet satisfied. He was about to speak
again, when knock sounded upon
the door.
1t was the hall-boy with letter.
Miss Murdock?" he inquired, glane-
ing in the direction of the young
girl.
For me?" exclaimed Agnes, sur
prised.
ayes, miss; a gentleman left it
for YOU"
Agnes took the letter. inspected it
curiously for an instant; then, ex-
cusing herself, she tore open the en-
velope and unfolded the note which
1t contained.
At once q deep flush suffused her
face, and an expression of annoyance
passed over her features. She glanced
up hastily at Sprague, who was ap-
parently hard at work upon the back
ground of the picture.
The hall-boy was waiting expect
antly
There is no answer" said Agnes
quietly.
And as the stern mandates of;fash-
ion either forbid woman to wear
pocket, or else decree that it shall
be located in some particularly mac
cessible position, the young girl
dropped the letter and its envelope
into her lap and resumed the pose.
Sprague tried to renew the CONVEX
sation where it had been interrupt
ed; but his efforts Were in vain. Both
he and Agnes We're preoccnpied dur
ing the balance Of the sitting.
When at last the time came for
Miss Murdoch to leave Sprague ac-
companied her to her carriage. After
watching it until it disappeared
around the corner, he returned, mood
lily to the studio.
AS he entered the room, his eyes
fixed in vacant stare upon theSfoor,
he caught sight Of something white
"a sheet of paper-resting there. Me-
chanically he pushed 1t to one side
with his foot.
The sunshine seemed to, havo gone
with Agnes Murdoch. A gloom had
fallen upon the place aud Its ocou.
pant. The artist tried to worta but
he was restless and depressed. Az
length he threw down his brushesi
md r.isinnr from fha anssnl In mt IN