The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-08-06

performances excited her interest and
onden He kuen OH the sand paiteu
nd moulded &c into a smooth surfecs.
and then with dexterity and a siJll
which came from long practice he cut
cat figure after figure on the prepared
ground AS he progressed with his
work he was encouraged by the ap-
plauss Of the onlookers His rude pic
turs in the sand were marvels OF art
and skill 10 them IN their likeness TO
the celebrities they portrayed. Hia
Limitation was soon reached however.
and he passed his hat to gather in 0
few shining pieces which were tile
meagre reward he expected from his ap-
preciative spectators He placed the
coins in his pocket, put on his hat,
and prepared to again exhibit his
cleverness when gentleman who had
Joined the group beckoned to him.
After a few moments Of excited con-
versatlon in Italian. punctuated by
gesticulation on the part Of the native
the stranger lmelt down in the place
lately occupied by Giuseppe. The new
conner seemed unabashed by the mock
ing derision OF the now widening
crowd. He removed all traces Of the
former artists toll, packed the sard
here and there, patted It carefully, and
soon before him lay a smooth, clear
surface The curiosity Of the crowd
was at fever heat when the man started
to work. Excitement, derision, and
scorn gave way to silence and wonder
extFavagant applause followed every
movement Of the masters hand. Lying
before them soon the face Of a beautiful
woman looked up. Il was alive, it SEEM
ed them; speaking almost and It even
Stirred the sordid hearts Of the vulgar
men who had taken the initiative in TIE
way Of scofflng criticism. One sharp
little fellow whom life on the streets
had trained ~ remarkable powers OF
observation. screamed out: Say, Billy,
that's a swell-lookin lady. Looks like
one Of them 1um tums' up to the
hotell"
The man worked on, Needless OF
their criticisms. The face in the sand
smiled at him. From the pavilion above
a woman looked down upon It, htartled
stupided! Did she know those great
dreamy eyes, the hair gently pushed
back, the brow the delicate ear, the
soft curls clinging lovingly to the
smooth temples? The master hand hal
made even the relu an. sand twist IT,
self and curl like the tendrils on her
browl The strokes Of genius hal
brought forth a living, breathless crea
ture from the sullen sands, and on the
dreary, desolate waste there lay the face
Of a beautiful woman! For a moment
the work stopped; he drew back little
to inspect his work. The crowd gave
way respectfully, and as they looked
with awe-strucll silence they noted the
hard bitter s,aile which played around
his lips, and weary look whiih marrei
his handsome features. He stopped
down to make some rhanges with his
penknife. He touched the lips; With
deliberation calm he altered the smi,-
ing features, The sof,ened expression
became scornful, mocking, proud, cold
Then he walked away and left the poor
er craftsman to reap the reward OF his
work.
Up above in the pavilion a woman's
face changed, not to a mocklng, scorn-
ful look, bst with a smile which mean,
for him the love and happiness he still
lonsed for That niei. tha moon shone
on the waters, the m sy waves push
ed up On the shore. a man and woman
walked slowly hand in hand down
along the edge of the Incoming tioe.
The face Of the woman in the sand was
there, untouched as yet by the merci-
less waves which devastated all before
them. The carved faca below gazed at
him. The features and expressions are
unatered, stern, plrlless. unlovlng, as
they lie IN the moonlight, yet happiness
Is in his heart, ana what matters about
tho woman at his feet. for the woman
al iila jl him -Phlladel-
phia Telegraph.