Middletown transcript., 1901-06-01

When they were both students in the
Art League in New York, some years
ago, she and Jack Harwood were great
chums. As Marion vainly tried to sleep
that night she had an attack of memory
and lived those days over again. 1t had
been terrible thing to put by all the
dreams and aspirations of that time. See
ing Jack once more brought back the old
pain which the dull routine of her present
occupation had alMCst eitacvd.
The next day was Saturday, with its
extra toll, for they had to stay at the
store until ten o'clock. She slept from
pure exhaustion that night. Sunday
afternoon about four o'clock Jack called.
Couldn't you find anything but this
numbering shop-work?" he asked, think
ing Marion looked uncommonly well in
that soft brown thing with the big lace
ruffies.
''No. can't even teach; tried it at
home The work isn't so bad when
you're used to it.
He shook his head in disapproval.
Marion went on nervously:
Really funny things happen, some
times. The other day man and woman
came to see about buying shawl. She
couldn't make up her mind which one
she liked best, SO she decided to go home
and think it over. When they went
away asked them to come to me if they
came back again, and the old man said,
Guess we'll know you,-you look just
like our Bridget Then a Bohemian
woman came in last night to buy coat.
She brought her husband along, and when
he objected to the price she just took
hold of his nose and pulled it till he gave
in"
Jack smiled and changed the subject
by saying, "Don't you want to show me
what you did that last year? You went
to DarnelI after you left the League,
didn't you?"
Marion brought her canvases and laid
them before him silently. Jack exam
ined the studies one by one.
''Same power, same touch; but, by Jove!
how you've improved! That boys head
is fine! Darnell was the man for you.
Remember how we differed about that
Academy picture of his? What thun-
dering shame about your eyes! Have
you seen the best oculists?
"Pretty good ones. They all say the
same thing; it will take time to recover
from the strain. l did ever so much
extra work, you know,-dinner cards,
Christmas cards, all that kind of stuff
Electricity would do my eyes good, but
it is too expensive" She tried to speak
lightly, but felt her attempt was not a
success.
sit is tough, and no mistake" Jack
said, emphatically. They talked little
longer, then he rose to go. "Cone around
to the studio and see what have DONE"
he said; and she promised she would do
so soon.
Christmas was now but three days dis
tant. They were miserable days to Mar
ion, for the revival of old ambitions made
the sordid life at the store unbearable. It
seemed wrong, unjust, that for the want
of little money she must give up forever
all it was in her to become. She spent
the little she had saved consulting another
oculist, who told her the same thing:
electrical treatment was all that could
help her.
Christmas morning dawned clear and
bright. Her Cousins little girls were
exulting over the treasures Santa Claus
brought, and although Marion received
her share of pretty remembrances, her
heart was heavy as lead. When the post
man came, among other things for Mar
ion was a letter addressed in unfamiliar
writing. She hastily tore the envelope
open and took out check for fifty dol |
lars. It was endorsed,
''Pay to the order of Marion Hayes.
81. HAYWOOD"
A note was enclosed which read, ssPlease !