Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-06-13
u suuds,

- ssS1s -
On this particular New Years
morning, after waking and observ-
ing, by the filtering of n few bright
sunbeams through The closely drawn
blinds, that it was broad daylight, he
stretched himself with n voluptuous
yawn and prepared TO relapse into the
sensuous enjoyment of that semi
somnolent state which succeeds a
night of calm and refreshing sleep.
just as he was settling himself
comfortably, however, he was startled
by knock ut the bedroom door.
Most men, under the circumstances.
would have betrayed some vexation
at being thus unceremoniously dis
turbed. But there was no suspicion
of annoyance in Sprague's CHEEKY
voice, as he exclaimed:
You cannot come in yet, Mrs.
O'Meagher I am asleep, and shall
be asleep for another hour at the
least. Surely you cannot have forgot
ten that to-day is holiday. Happy
New Year! You have time to go to
several masses before"
"Get up, old lazybones; and don't
keep man waiting Mt your door in
this inhospitable way, when he is in
hurry" interrupted voice whose
timbre was not that of the house
keeper, Mrs. O'Meagher.
ooh! is that you, Stursis?" laughed
the artist. Aren't you ashamed Of
yourself to come routing honest men
out of bed at this unseemly hour?
Wait minute, till put on my court
costume, that may receive you with
the honors and ceremonies due to
your rank and station"
A couple of minutes later the artist,
pituresquely attired in loose orr
entail dressing gown and fez, opened
the door to his friend, Ralph Sturgis.
Come in, old man." he said, cordial
ly extending his hand to the reporter;
you are welcome at any hour of the
day or night. What is it now? This is
not your digestion call, presume"
NO." replied Sturgis, 81 merely
dropped in to say that should be I'M
able to take our projected bicycle trip
this afternoon. l shall probably be
busy with the Knickerbocker bank
case all day. BY the way, if you would
like to come to the bank with me, I
shall be glad of your company. lam
on my way there now"
Il should like nothing better" said
Sprague, but I have made an ap-
pointment for this morning with ~
er-er-with sitter"
what, on New Years day, YOU
heathen!"
sturgis observed the artist closely,
and then added, quizzically:
Accept my congratulations, old
man."
"Your congratulations" inquired
sprague, coloring slightly.
YES; my congratulations and my
sendolenee. Ny congratulations on
We 1Ast tAAA shs - yexAs anA bsaas.
- cad possessed sf thosa qualities Of
mind and heart which-and SO on and
so forth. My coincidence because I
fear you are hit at last"
What do you mean?" stammered
the artist, sheepishly; do you know
her? What do you know about her?"
Nothing whatever" replied Sturgis,
laughing. except what you are tell
ing me by your hesitations, your rati-
cence and your confusion"
The artist spoke after q moment of
thoughtful silence.
Your inductions in this case are
premature, to say the least. Ny sitter
is young lady, SO much is undeniably
true. And there is no doubt in my
mind as to her possession of all the
qualities you jocularly attribute to
her; but my interest in her is only
that of an artist in beautiful and
charming woman.
"At any rate" he added, after mo-
ment's hesitation, II hope SO; for I
have heard that she is as good as be-
trothed to another man"
The reporters keen ear detected in
his friends tones touch of genuine
sadness of which the artist himself was
probably unconscious. Laying his
hand gently upon Sprague's shoulder,
he said gravely:
l hope SO, too, old man; for you are
one of those foolish men whose lives
can be ruined by an unhappy love af-
fair. suppose it's useless to preach
to you-more's the pity-but, in my
humble opinion, no woman's love is
worth the sacrifice OF good mans
life"
Eyes, know your opinion on that
subject, you old cynic," replied
6prague, ''but you need not worry on
my account; not yet, at all events.
am still safe; the portrait is almost
finished; and I should be fool to walk
into such scrape with my eyes wido
open"
"Humph!" calculated sturgis, skep-
tically, when man makes fool of
himself for woman, 1t matters little
whether his eyes be open or shut; the
result is the same"
Spraguelaughed somewhat uneasily;
and then, us If to change the subject:
Come and see the picture" he said.
II should like your opinion of it,"
The reporter consulted his watch.
II shall have to come back some
other time for that" he replied; II
must hurry of now to keep my ap-
pointment with Mr.. Dunlap"
BE started toward the door; but
suddenly facing sprague again, he
held out his hand to the artist, who
pressed it cordially.
Goodbye, old man." he said, af-
fectionately, "be as sensible as you
can, and don't wantonly play,with the
fire."
And before sprague could frame an
answer, the reporter was gone.
The artist remained thoughtfully
standing until hds friends footstsps
asA AsA sSsE n ths distance. Me-
he turned and walked slowly into enc
studio. Here, In the middle of the
room, stood an easel, upon which was
the portrait of beautiful young
girl.