The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-22

she and her husband we're enjoying
their honeymoon. This birthday was
to be a banner day" and they had
decided to visit famous art gallery.
do look at that poor old man. Cor
don; he has been sitting there ever
since We came in. I'm sure there must
be something the matter with him.
said Mabel. She had noticed the man
some time before, and something in his
attitude seemed to demand her SYM
pathy.
why. he is sitting in front OF one OK
the most noted pictures in the gallery.
IL has created quite furor among art
critics. Probably the old fellow Is an
unsuccessful artist and is saying 10
himself that he could have done as well
as that IL he had only thought of the
subject" said Gordon. jokingly; but.as
he turned toward Mabel he dropped his
bantering tone. She was gazing fixedly
at the picture over the old mans head,
her eyes filled with tears.
'Oh. II ! could only give them 20
her!" she murmured under her
breath.
What Is the matter, ,sweethearty You
seem TO be more distressed than the
old man." said Gordon. then he added:
1T Is a beautiful picture. but why does
IL move you so?'
Look, Gordon, II is my Indian girl"
were close TO the .old man now. and as
Mabel spoke he looked up quickly.
Did you know her? he asked eager
ly. ,.s
Moo" stammered Mabel.
II thought heard you call her your
Indian gir:' but she Is mine. found
her; she was littl beauty. and no
one ever claimed ner."
Where you find her?' asked
Gordon,
''Out on the bad lands OF Dakota.
There was n party Of us returning 10
the fort after a hunting trip. and
picked her up; the poor little thing
had lost her moccasins, and she griev-
ed for a long time. supposed that she
had strayed from some encampment.
and we tried for some hours 10 find IL.
but were unsuccessful. Some OF the
fellows wanted me TO leave her there
They said she was sure To be found.
did leave her: but her big, black eyes
haunted me until I turned my pony
around and rode back 10 get her. had
some trouble IN finding her. but /
heard her singing and followed the
sounds. Young as she was, she had
wonderful voice"
What do you call hcr?' questioned
Mabel.
she called herself Mona. and I al
ways called her that. | grew 10 love
nef very dearly. ana u Hiss Osf Sadly
but I'm sure she is happier now"
lis this picture for sale?"
mo no; that Is one i had painted
two years ago for myself: IA was .
characteristic pose. She would stand
that way for hours. unconscious OF
her surroundings: one hand lifted 20
her brow, her body bent slightly for
ward and intense longing In her eyes.
They asked me TO exhibit II this year,
but IL is hard--I can't leave IT," The
home is so desolste without H." Ths
old mans voice sounded choked and
sad.
did she go back to her own peo-
ple?"
The old man looked at her for an In
stant. and then with decp-drawn
breath he answered.
" She has gone TO her happy hunting
grounds she died year ago today"
He buried his face in his hands. aud
Gordon and Mabel walked away. And
the happiness OF these two young peo-
pie was made sweeter by this touch OK
infinits sadness that had come 20 them.
A little package came 10 the art gal
lery few days later addressed TO the
owner OF the picture OF the Indian gffl.
II was taken TO the old mans home.
and when he opened " he found little
pair ~ nioccssins With the inscription.
'Nonas noccasins. New Orleans
Times Democrat.