Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-12-13
How Daffy Found
9 Her Talent.
CIT WISH I had a. gift" said Dafy
NTH q diSccnsolofe 81 oh
By Susan Hubbard Martha.
EVV"VVVVVVVVVVV

It was Monday, blue Monday, and
Daphne, commonly called Daffy. had
slipped over early to Kate's studio;
Cousin Kate, who with her magic
brush wrought such exquisite and
glowing little pictures.
Cousin Kate was mixing paints pre-,
paratory to a hard mornings work.
The canvas stood already ON the easel
I'm the best light ethe Slittle room af-
forded. Cousin Kate looked the true
artist that she was in heroplain. dress
and long white apron. She was tail
young woman, with clear eyes, alum
dant chestnut hair, and a firm. sweet
MOUTH
Daffy was unlike her as possible, be-
ing small and slight, with great dark
. eyes, and cheeks as full Of color as
ripe carnation.
IF I could paint as you do now"
went on Daffy soberly, 'I would be
happy; but I can't, and you know
how poorly have always played and
sung. love music, but can't make
It, any more than old Michael can
who cleans our yard. Then there's
: writing. I'd like nothing better than
to be able to write fine things, but
there's no useewishing that, for 1
never could compose even aopassable
letter.
Cousin Kate looked at the droop-
ing, discouraged face before She an
swered. It was no wonder for in
sspite of her sadness Daffyow was such a.
pretty. refreshing sight in her brown
suit and picturesque hat.
s..Daffy," she asked suddenly, "where
did you get that hat, my dear?"
''This?" answered Daffy Indifferent
. ~. "Out of my head" she added. ST
> make my own hats I always do, you
know. Why?" she questioned mo-
ment later. a.
Cousin Kate looked at the hat
again. oa
"Why," she repeated, "because it's
beautiful, dear. The very prettiest
hat I've seen this season, and you
made it. Yet here you are bemoaning
the hard fate that has bestowed upon
you no gift. My dear, it may be an
art to paint picture, or, write a
poem. 1 am not so sure that it is not
: as great asone to send out upon this
gray old world a little being like
yourself who can put together colors
SO daintitly and effectively, and create
q bonnet. Why don't you turn it to
account?"
Daffy laughed. "How can 1?"' she
answered. o"Here am, papa's only
chick and child, with more money
than need, and nothing to do but
} look happy. That's all the dear man
requires of me. He loves me as Ioam,
dear father,e and wouldn't exchange
me for the greatest literary and arts
q tic light ino existence. That'sS the
way with these dear fathers, they
give all and expect nothing. Bnto be-
8 cause am SO rich in his. love and
care is no reason that want to sit
down and be useless cuinberer of
the earth. There's no necessity for
earning moneys but would like to do
something to help somebody, just a
little" The girls voice broke and
.something very like tears rose in the
dark eyes.
.sDaffy," said Cousin Kate. slowly,
Ida you see old Mrs. Fiske at church
syesterday?"o
Daffy nodded
.Did youo notice Anything about
fher?" went on Cousin Kate. her head
bent ovr her palette9 %
Nothing except that she looked
older and shabbier than usual. poor
old soul. Yes, I dfdstoo. I noticed
that her old. bonnet had about given
out. How 1ongo has She worn tt,
Kate?''
'.Seven years." was the answer. 81
know, for I remepber. It looked
well enough once, but the wind and
snow and sleet of so many winters
have at last wrought Its ruins You
say, Daffy DEAR you don't need arpn-
ey. Here is chance to help some
one who can't give it Tor things. ]
csr paint . picture but conldn't