Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-19

THE POOR ARTIST.

! Mr.. Rutherford, the face of the he
rome. of your picture is that of my
cousin, Clarissa."
Yes, Miss Haywood; l took the un
pardonable liberty of placing Miss Ire
ton on canvass in the guise of my ia
vorlte, Scottish Mary. l couldn't hell
1t. We painters are queer mortals
you know. Once in lifetime WI
come across a face, idealize it, and for
ever more it is the basis OF all oul
productions and Hugh Rutherford
gazed with something more than O
painters admiration on the face of his
Scottish Mary.
Two red spots burned on Lucette
Heywood's cheeks, and her pale blue
eyes snapped fire as she gazed at the
handsome artist.
Birds of feather flock together
/ am positive now that this poor ar
fist and my penniless cousin love each
other. And |, heiress of Haywood,
have patronized-li onzed him in vain"
We're the, thoughts that passed rapidly
through Miss Heywood's mind.
And Lucette Haywood was right.
Hugh Rutherford came to spend cou-
pie of months among the New Hamp-
shire hills. A poor artist everybody
thought him and it pleased him to let
everybody think so, but the aristocrat-
ic Heywoods took notion to patron
ize him-they took him up, and the
artist found himself the lion Of the
place.
Miss Lucette Haywood was the most
patronizing of this very aristocratic
family, and she did all in her power
to show the artist how condescending
she could be. The truth of the matter
was, Lucette was in love with the
handsome artist, and she was deter
mined her cousin shouldn't have him.
Dear Clarissa," said Lucette, sigh
ing softly, II shall miss her very much
when she goes away"
"ls Miss lreton going away?" and
the artist looked up quickly.
"Oh! yes; after her marriage with
Mr.. Squres she goes to Europe
The painter dropped his brush; Lu-
cette, his picture and everything in
the room danced around him in ring,
For the past two months he had
been living like man in beautiful
dream, and this terrible awakening
was too much for him.
He caught sight of Lucette's pale
blue eyes bent upon him pityingly.
There was something in her glane
that stung him to the quick, and he
recovered his composure instantly.
"Strange, ! never heard anything of
the approaching marriage" said the
artist, quietly. 81 say strange because
/ thought in a small place like this,
affairs of that kind were freely dis.
cussed."
$50 they are, Mr.. Rutherford; but
you know Mr.. Squires is quite an old
gentleman, and when May and De-
cember marry, people-well, we
thought it best for Clarissa's sake to
keep it secret. You are the first I
have mentioned it to outside her own
family"
Mr.. Rutherford bowed in acknowl.
edgment Of the compliment.
"You will not fail us this evening,
Mr.. Rutherford?' said Lucette, NOV
ing toward the door.
THANK you, Miss Haywood, will
put in an appearance, if possible;"
and the artist held the door open for
Lucette who left the cottage fully sat
SIZED with her mornings work.
Hugh rutherford returned to his
unfinished picture and lifting it from
The easel, he set il with its face to
he WILL, saying:
"May God forgive you, Clarissa Ire.
on, for this summers work. | sat
you up for an ideal--a being as per-
ect as mortal could be, but | find you
n reality n woman, full of woman's
weakness. Well, it's a lesson most OF
is have to learn some time, and ! sup
'ose the sooner it is here and over the
letter"
"Clarissa, you look as If you had
uried all your friends. Really, 1t
lakes me nervous to watch YOU"
aid Lucette Haywood, as she noticed
he cloud resting on the perfectly
face of her cousin.
"Then don't watch me, Lucette,"
Clarissa.
"But can't help watching you.
What aiIs you, Clarissa?'
sob. Lucette ! feel miserable"
"Why, you silly girl, how can you
~ SO? And Mr., Squires about to Of.
r You bis hand and fortune"
81 cannot accep, Mr.. Squires. | do
ot love him.
"The love part Of the business can
E dispensed with, Clarissa. Papa says
Du must marry him."
my uncle dare not force me into
lch a marriage.' Clarissa was stand. {
e now, her graceful figure drawn to
$ full height. "But | will be burden {
him no longer. You remember when
Gorge Harvey was here last winter, Q
: said my voice would command q |
rod position at any time. lie Is &C. \
iainted with all the musical leaders )
town and | know he will be only
o glad to do something for my faith.
Is daughter"
what nonsense! Papa would lock
~ in your room II he thought you
ntemplated such a step. Now, Clar n
sa, the whole trouble is, you have
ken fancy to that poor artist q
ltherford, and, take my word for 1t I
cares nothing for you. And II he +,
!. IA l