The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-08-10

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mes; II did not mean that. OF course
/ shall be glad when the portrait is
finished, because wish to have 1t home
and to let my friends see 1t. But
should be indeed unRrateful II be-
grudged my poor little time and trou-
BILE, when yours have been so lavishly
and 80 ungrudgingly spent"
"These sittings have been a source
Of so much pleasure to me-" continued
Sprague, thoughtfully, that l have
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, I assure
you It has been anything but bore to
me TO pose. | am sure shall miss the
pleasant morning hours have spent
here"
"They have been the happiest hours
of my life" said Sprague, earnestly, in
low voice, land 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 undulations.
"Why forever, Mr.. Sprague?" she
asked, softly; "do you think of leav-
ing New York;"
NO" he replied quickly; 'it is you
who are about to desert this studio,
which for Il short time has been
frightened by your presence"
"Wen,' interrupted Agnes, "since
you are not going TO leave New York,
l hope you will continue to call on
us"
81 suppose | shall continue to call
on your reception days, if that is
what you mean," said Sprague, some
what discouso.ately
Nov that" laughed Agnes, sis not
in line with the polite things you have
been SAYING"
81 G.U 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 q
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"
do you really mean it?" asked the
artist eagerly. MAY 1 call on you
sometimes when the crowd is not
there?"
eve shall be happy to have you
call at any time, Mr., Sprague."
T.. d,
slight emphasis on the pronoun.
But 1t is not we 1 wish to call on.
1t is you, Miss MURDOCH
Once more the young girls express
i've eyes axed their gaze upon the del
icate hands in her lap, and once more
there was scarcely perceptible fut-
ter beneath the lace which lay upon
her white throat.
The artist sat with intent eyes
hxed upon her.
"Of course / shall be pleased to
have you call at any time, Mr.
Sprague," she said, after q brief in
slant.
What more could any sane man ex.
pect modest girl TO say? 1t is not sc
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of their utterance that conveys mean.
ing. But II is a truism that a lover
is not a sane man. Sprague was not
yet satisfied. He was about to speak
again, when a knock sounded upon
the door.
1t was the hall-boy with letter
Miss Murdock?" he inquired, glanc-
| ipCr in "a 1iraatiav, pe Al
girl
For me?" exclaimed Agnes, sur
prised
"Yes, miss; gentleman left it
for you"
Agnes took the letter, inspected IL
cuIiously for an instant; then, ex.
cusing herself, she tore open the en-
yelope and unfolded the note which
it contained.
At once a 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 a woman to wear
a pocket, or else decree that it shall
be located in some particularly mac
cessihe position, the young Cir
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 were preoccupied dur
ing the baIaice of the sitting
when at -ast the time came 70,
Miss Murdoch to leave, Sprague &C
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
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