, 1900-09-08
!

uolA5. 1NCh laLd pShl " ooh ~
the medallion over which his sisters
tiny camel's hair brush vas suspended.
"Jove! what a beauty! A portrait
really? Who is she?"
Miss Silverton of Evanston. This is
to be a gift to her fiance from one of
his friends-a wedding gift. She is in
the secret. l worked from a photo
graph until last week, when she gave
me a sitting. She is to be here for an
other today"
Annie Hazard, a little, slender, elf
locked sprite, enveloped in a big paint
ing apron, with a palette on thumb,
looked up to read approval in the eyes
of the gigantic young brother who tow
cred over her. He had taken the me-
dallion up in his palm, and was look
ing down upon it with something
%brooding in his gaze-a glance of ten
der prophecy.
You think it good?"
"Stunningly good. l didn't think 1t
was in you, Mani"
A flash of pleasure irradiated her
small, dark face. Il did" she said.
He laughed, putting his left hand
caressingly on the wavy, blue-black
head.
81 know dear. We guyed you dread
fully about your determination to be-
come a miniature painter more than
the others. But you're proving your
detractors in the wrong. It's quite a
triumph to do that-isn't it,"
"a u1orio,,g tri,p,rht In fanrv I
already see you b%espeaking a smile
from the foremost miniature artist OF
the coming century, and Dragging OF
your friendship! Give that back, sir,
l must complete that gown before the
original comes in"
rs she really as lovely as this, Nan?'
He made no attempt to return the pic
ture in his palm. What a nobility OF
brow! And those eyes are serene and
pellucid as a mountain lake. Black
eyebrows-but the hair is reddish gold
Is"-a sudden doubt striking him-"the
shade-natural?"
Natural" His sister picked up a
mahl stick and assumed a b%elligerent
attitude. Trust a woman" she said,
" cCOSulL DltdChSu Hail.
Still he held the miniature. his eyes
bent full upon it. The mistress Of the
studio heaved a ponderous sigh.
IF you don't mind" she suggested
meekly, Il should like that back before
the night cometh wherein no man may
work, or woman, either"
Young Hazard lifted his head with
an awakening gesture, laughed, hand.
ed her the oval piece Of ivory.
IF you hadn't dashed my hopes al
birth, Man." he said, I'D have staid
to make the acquaintance of the orig.
to be a bride he struck a tragic
pose. Farewell, sweet dreams!" he
cried.
Farewell, dear brother!" returned
the artist. Il love to have you come
in when Coke and Blackstone-or do
lawyers still read those eminently re-
spected authorities ?-when they will
let you" She picked up a new brush
and moistened its tip between her
sensitive lips. Your new spring suits
becoming"
Thanks, awfully. But didn't
come in to be told that. The Percy
boys have a box at the Auditorium to.
night. They want us to join them
They're to have a chafing-dish supper
at their quarters later. You'll come
won't you?"
Can't" The small head swayed in
decided negation. Haven't a decent
pair of gloves to my name, nor time tc
buy them"
20, if that is all. I'll get them fol-
you. What shade do you wish-what
is you NUMBER"
Shade. light heliotrope. Size, five
and a half. Six buttons"
Explicit, at least" He took up his
hat. Jolly little den you've got here
Nan. Do you mean to say you've done
all these things?" The comprehensive
sweep Of his hand included many pic.
lures, from the rapt countenance OF
Tennyson's st. Agnes to a sketch OF
one dropping hand holding a perfect
rose.
Not although I am responsible
for all. My pupils have done some.''
Pupils! Phew-we are in earnest
Honestly, Nan, I'm glad I induced dad
to let you have your way. We thought
1t vas all a fad. you know"
Eyes, I know" She smiled-a con-
scious little smile. I'VE didn't call II
a fad when you wished to study for
the bar. And see how you've vindi-
Gated yourself! ! was SO proud this
morning when 7 read what tho nonor