The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-11-30

and 50 ungruagingly spent"
These sittings have been a source
of so much pleasure to me-" continued
Sprague, thoughtfully, that have
sel6shly overlooked the fact that they
could only be an annoyance and "a bore
to you. I fear have needlessly pro-
longed Them
But, indeed. Mr.. Sprague, assure
you it has been anything but bore to
me to pose. am sure shall miss the
pleasant morning hours I have spent
here"
They have been the happiest hours
of my Gfe," said Sprague, earnestly, in
a low voice, land now they are nearly
gone-forever."
Agnes started slightly, blushea 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; cit is you
who are about to desert this studio,
which for a short time has been
frightened by your presence"
"Well," interrupted Agnes, "since
you are not going to leave New York,
I hope you will continue to call on
u.s."
81 suppose I 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 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"
''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 call on you
sometimes when the crowd is not
there?"
"We shall be happy to have you
call at any time, Mr.. Sprague."
Sprague thought he detected a
slight emphasis on the pronoun.
But it is not we I wish to call on.
It is you, Miss MURDOCH"
"Of course 1 shall be pleased to
have you call at any time, Mr..
Sprague," she said, after a brief in
slant.
What more could any sane man ex-
pect modest girl to say? 1t is not so
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 a knock sounded upon
the door.
It was the hall-boy with a letter.
Miss Murdock?" he inquired, glanc-
ing in the direction of the young
girl.
"For me?" exclaimed Agnes, sur
prised.
eyes, miss; 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
it contained.
At once 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
cessible position, the young girl
dropped the letter and it's envelope
into her lap and resumed the pose.
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 the floor,
he caught sight of something white |
"a sheet of paper-resting there. Me-
he pushed it to one side
with his foot.
The sunshine seemed to have gone |
with Agnes Murdoch. A gloom had
fallen upon the place and it's occu-
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