davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

have been told Of. who would give q sum
In four figures for that picture"
4 Will never rob you Of your picture.
Miss Rhoda. II ever I have any claim to
that picture 1t will be by your own free
gift"
Then you will never possess It," said
Rhoda. laughing once more. She felt hap
pier about the ownership OF her picture.
and the unusual little adventure, breaking
as 1t did the monotony Of her life, pleased
her.
Though Claude Maltravers was hard hit
that day. and Rhoda, after his departure.
began to think that the cavalier with
wings who was gazing on the lady in the
picture was rather like Claude. the end was
not to be yet. II ever. As he walked back to
the Manor House. thinking more of the
living picture he had seen at Orsett than
OF the painting, he felt almost as II he
Were bounding on air. so buoyant and light
hearted had this visit rendered him.. Like
a bolt from the blue sky. then. was the ap-
pearance Of a grim. unpleasant-looking
man seated in the hall when. whistling a
gay tune. he himself entered the house. OF
the two brothers he had expected to pre-
cede him In the property one was dead. the
other. a ~vaurien. had been disinherited.
This man was the vaurien brothers rep
resentative. There was to be q fight for
John Maltravers's broad acres. A will was
produced. purporting to have been made
subsequent to the testamentary paper that
allotted the patrimony to Claude.
But yesterday Claude would have said.
Poor devil-let him nave the property:
after all he is my senior and has. there
fore. a better right to It," and he would
have forthwith. gone abroad once more In
perfect happiness an content.
The claim, however. had been put in one
day too late-he had seen Rhoda, made up
his mind he would marry no one but Rhoda.
and so was determined to fight for the sue
cession to the bitter end. and II he were
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19
By JEAN
MIDDLEMAS

successful he would lay his fortune at the
feet Of the sweet girl who had held him
captive at hrst sight.
To carry out this programme he went at
once to London. nor said q word to the
lady Of the pictnre-how could he in honor.
since all in the future seemed 80 uncertain?
Rhoda felt agsrieved at his behavior, and.
though she repeatedly asked herself what
right she had to expect different conduct
from q mere stranger. yet. strive though
she did to obliterate 1t, the image Of the
man who had come so suddenly and pleas
antly into her life refused to leave her
mind.
A few weeks after this love-dawdlins-
for Rhoda was as thoroughly in love as
though she had known Claude M%altrayers
for months-one day real trouble came. A
heavy bill for stock was sent in with .
peremptory request for. payment. and the
excheQuer was empty.
She must 20 to Borthwick and seek an
interview with Sam Lucas; something must
be done at once
Her hat on. her head. ready to start. she
was standing before the picture taking q
last farewell Of the happy life Of which 1t
had taught her to dream. when a hand
was laid on her shoulder. she turned round
with q scream. fully believing for the mo-
ment that she was being arrested for the
debt she owed It was Claude Maltravers.
"My darling, you will not sell your pic
ture. l have come to. claim 1t, n with It
your own sweet self"
Rhoda was SO thoroughly taken aback by
this sudden storming Of the citadel that she
had no W to resent 1t. This was his
way. On the contrary. she tainted into
Claude Ma%ltravers's arms.
When she came to herself It was to turn
coyly away from him. annoyed hat he
should at once have discovered how she
loved him.
For Rhoda Love and T. was no longer .
dream; II had become q reality.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

WRITTEN FoR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
A picture was her most valued posses
ZION. Like q ray Of sunshine in . gloomy
pot It seemed to shine forth from Its
easel In her little ~sitting-room: and how
ever weary Rhoda might be when she
looked at II. she invariably experienced .
sense Of Joy.
A picture-it was only . picture.
Those aronnd her wondered why she
loved II %. Orsett Farm, of which Rhoda
Eas mistress. was = rough. tumble-down
old place. Hand work and frugal fare had
~ tradition ever existed within its walls.
hat with Rhoda,s inheritance 1t almost ap-
peared as II the old order Of things was
pa1sing away and . new era was commen-
chg.
occasionally only could Rhoda escape and
take a. few minutes'i rest in her pretty sit
fing-room. which the %neighbors condemned.
Then 1t was that the sight Of her picture
Game ass ray OF hope. Its coloring was
% vivid It iightened up the whole room. In
TIE foreground. among flowers and shrubs.
at q sWeet-faced woman. clad in q satin
gown, painted BY . master hand. She was
dreaming. dreaming Of happy future.
while ,gaxing at her. over shrubs in the
~backkround. vas . young cavalier. on
whose shoulders wings were family but
surely defined.
Love and I" Rhoda had named her pic
fure. n at times she almost fancied she
herself was the lady who was dreaming
there. and that one day she. too. might zee
cavalier With wings.
Her ledger in front Of her. the pen in her
hard. she wal sitting in her little room.
counting over the situation of affairs, when
Nn3gie put her head in at the door.
IT will be Master. Lucas from Berth.
wick. He's wanting to speak with ye: says
- wrote him q line"
IAN right. Massie. Ask him to come in"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19
LOVE AND l. A Story of an Artist and an Artists Picture

Are you very fond Of this picture?' he
asked after a short pause.
II love 1t better than anything I possess
In the whole world"
Il am glad you love 1t, fol-. 1t Is very
beautiful. So like. too"
Lik whom?'
Yourself. Of course"
Rhoda smiled and looked affectionately
at the picture. in which she too saw the
likeness. Suddenly. however, she seemed
to awake to a sense Of the %strangeness OF
the interview.
why should this mar be here? Who was
he? A gentleman, no bore. and yet he had
intruded unlimited on her privacy" and
once more the resolution Of Sam Lucas's
client rose in her mind. She was about to
put a pointed. perhaps a rude. question
when Maggie came into the room with the
home-brewed.
She very nearly let the tray she was car
rying fall out Of her hands when she saw
the visitor.
Master Claude!" she cried. 1.-THE bonnie
yeungster-and to think you've come back
at last!'
Maggie! Good gracious! I did not know
you were living here and he scarcely
looked delighted at the meeting.
You know this gentleman. Maggie?"
asked Rhoda. a little sternly.
Know him-why, It's Master Claude NAL
travers. as owns the Manor House over the
hill. Didn't I live with his good mother
when he was q bit ladder"
You live at the Mano House, n you
lost your way coming to orsett Farm?
What an imposter!'
II did lose my way. and I am no impos-
ter" he said. bravely. Nevertheless. he
looked a little bit sheepish while he spoke.
Il anne, as I believed to a farmhouse. but
] found a Peri and a picture"
(Which you would like to rob me. Of"
she said. once more remembering Sam Luz
cas-. for l believe you are the customer l
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

We admired the magnificent view, which
was.a severer type than We had been &C.
customed to Of .late-the vegetation. val
spsrser n OF . harder growth, n there
were even patches Of snow here and there
on h mountain side. Far down below "
could see the Hospice that afforded rough
accommodation for travellers en- route for
Spain or France. AZ the case might be:
above us the mountain rose precipitously;
from where We sat It seemed impossible for
anything to fnd foothold- on ita rocky front.
After : while Mrs. Rees got up and said
she would just have q look to zee Il the
path were a. bAd as It had been.
she came back presently for one Of the
Mis- Kennedys. saying. she had something
TO show her.
"..Ae too!' said her husband lastly. but
she only laughed n told him that he
wasn't wanted.
" Here she said, giving him her psrasoI.
take care Of this-and remember. John
impressiveiy. It II my fAvofite one. and
don't drop lighted matches an over II.
The nuttefinS skirts disappearsd round
the corner Of the rock. and We went on
talking.
Presently Rees began TO ndgst. ! AZ
fected not to notice.
Don't let vs. detain you, I said politely
At length. for no one likes to afr ones
views on matters political to perfectly In
attentive listeners.
~ think III just have.a look to zee
what those girls are up to. he said, rising
with afacr1ty: At that moment he discov-
ered his Pipe had gone out. He tried to
light; n, but the wind had strengthened 20.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

Saloanne listened to these facts Of his
daily life, once 30 absorbing to her, like
one In a dream.
David" she said at last, while he was
stfn talking-excitement had made him un-
usually communicative. i've got some
business to tend to. I want you to 60 get
your supper now; an come back IN bout an
hour to spend the evenin' with me. I've
got somethin' to tell you. Will you?"
Course I will. Saloame. I dunno - !
could have made myself come to this awful.
distractin' place II you wasn't here" He
kissed her good-by tenderly.
When he had gone saloame new to her
own room. h paced the noor back and
forth.
I've got to decide now. I've got to tell
David tonight. ! can't never put him on
another year. II I marry him I've got to
give up all my art. There amt no use
thinkin' Of 1t when I marry him. There'n
be the cookin'. an the washin:, m the
maxim butter. an all that, besides waitin'
on old Mrs. Compton. and mendin' for IA
vid and her. won't get no time. an III
b too wore out II I do. I'll Jest live a. I
ulster. never seein' nothin' nor nobody, nor
KNOWN what's In the world. II I 70 with
the Grifiths I'll live the life I Jest love. 1
can't give It up. Oh, I can'ti It'Il break
David's heart II I 90. and It'll. break mine
II I stay. Oh. dear! Oh, dear! Oh, It's all
Jest miserabie!"
But he loved her! And. yes. how she loved
She started to her feet. That's It!
That's It! He loves me an I love him.
There amt nothin' else like that! Fame
an paintin' an all, what are they long
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

ime He took II on n held II in his
hand. shielding somewhat the lower part
OF his face. The evening sunlight Uttered
through the leaves above and rested ON his
uncovered gray head and troubled eyes.
We waited patiently.
He sighed heavily: "Where was I.-ah. 1
remember!
There WAS . stlence-if one can call Il
70 With the wind through the pines making
. noise the rushing Of a dozen cata--
raets-thsn-then her head dropped forward
z little. :Johnr I heard her say softiy.
eomsone-t was young K~ennedy-savs .
sort Of breathiesg sob. simultaneously I felt
rather than saw my wife move towards her
too lats!-for with . quick little rush and
cuestretcAed hands fun of the flowers she
had come TO snow him. shs-had followed"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

Inc plCtuTeS were mostly tnOSe severe
anatomical heads and figures which the I'M
taught regard with such outward exclama-
hons Of pleasure and such inward con-
tempt. David admired them all unreserved-
Iy, calling them handsome, ELEGANT
and real pretty; the adjectives varied,
not with the merit OF the picture. but in
accordance with his own ideas OF diversity.
Say. dearie. when's that godd day a.
comin - he asked. after a minute. 9TH
18th o. July's my birthday; wouldn't 1t he
kinder nice to celebrate round bout tina,
time?"
Would you feel awful bad IL we was to
put of the weddin. a little ionger?"
For how long do you mean?" he said,
slowly.
It'll next June. I know I'm \ wicked.
selfish woman" p~assionately, but l do
want Just one year more. Seems a. II I
didn't never live till 1 got down there
aspaintin'. 1 amt been like other girls.
you. know. David. / amt never had nothin.
in my whole life 'cept Jest scrimpin. an
savin' an workin.. Maybe. IL I'd had a
chance to kinder take my ,lot easy while I
was a-rrowin' up 1 wouldn't feel N 1 do
bout 1t, all kinder bound up In II. II 1
could have Jest one year more / won't never
say nothin' even bout It again." she ended
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

| write often to David. but she found little
time. With the spring came a great tri-
umph: the academy accepted one Of her
pictures. 1t was an unpretentious bit, and
1t was put in rather q dark corner. 1t eas
Saloame's first success, however. and hence
dearer to her than any other greater onea
that might follow. She sat smiling to her
self In the spring twilight the day she re-
ceived the news. when the maid announced
a visitor. A little. picturesquely-dressed
woman entered and threw her arms aroun
Saloame.
you dear. clever girl! We've just heard
and we're so happy"
Saloame blushed with pleasure. Thank
you. Mrs. Grifhths." she said, trying to be
calm.
i've onfy~a minute. but I want to tell
you our beautiful plan. Mr.. Grifiths and I
are going to Paris this summer for two
years to study and We want you to come,
too. You must! Parts-and Paris teachers
lis just what you need. It won't be ex-
pensive. for we're going to do II all just
as economically as possible. Don't say q
word till you think 1t over. I'm coming
again tomorrow" and the visitor glided
away almost as quickly as she had entered.
saloame was too astounded TO move. Oh.
the joyful possibilities OF It. All the artistic
nature in her throbbed responsive to the
idea. What would Achah say? and Fell?
and David? At the last name her heart
contracted. painful thoughts rushed upon
her. sh looked straight before her with
terrified eyes. Had the mere thought Of
him brought him bodily to her? For there
he stood. and more. he was speaking.
She shrieked and sank on the sofa.
why. saloame. dear girl, I must have
scared you dreadful I thought you heard
the lady that let me. in say who I was.
There! there! there!"-he kissed her sooth-
ingly and stroked her hair. Saloame was
very pale. She did not. heed his caresses.
Don't seem to me you look. very peart.
saloame, I guess you've been a-workin' too
hard an overdoin'..
II am tired. q little. How's everything
at homer"
Pretty good. pretty good" David was
still smoothing. her hair. II never see so
forard a spring. my plantin' all done. I've
bought that meadow over by Judson Posts
the one I've wanted 30 long. Got my
kitchen all painted up. too: 1t looks real
slick. Gram. she amt quite 10 we'll; seems
kind O. pernicety bout her food an the
like o that. but shes real patient"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

on the morrow to fetch away the objects
he had bought, and. having given Rhoda a
check for the amount agreed on. he de-
parted.
She naturally thought that her treasure
was to be left in peace. whereas the tur-
moil that SO frequently gathers around
Love and I" was only Just beginning.
Coming home from an outlying part OF
her estate. where some broken palings had
been taking her attention, she was sur
prised to see = stranger In the porch. With
excusable woman's vanity she tossed of a
sunbonnet which. though perhaps pictur-
esque. was scarcely becoming, and went to-
ward him. He lifted his soft hat and stood
with It in his hand.
IT'S this Orsett Farm, he asked. with
scarcely the amour of assurance he usual
ly displayed. since. Rhoda looked very un-
like 4 farmer's daughter. and he thought
ut was somewhat trying to a fellow to sx-
pect a milkmaid and meet a Princess"
81 hould like a rest. Though you do not
believe 1t, 1 am very weary with walking"
She could not take this gentlemanlike
stranger Into the kitchen. and the dining
room was In disorder owing to the recent
furniture sale. 80 there was nothing to be
done but to invite him into the little sit
tins-room. Al she opened the door she
called to Maggie to bring q glass of home
brewed to q gentleman who had lost his
way.
"Ah!'
1t wa not Rhoda's words that called
forth the exclamation: 1t was the sight Of
the picture before which he stood in a
rhapsody.
ut Il I: gem-perfectly and absolutely
beautiful-human affection transcendental-
ly handled-love and you!"
He turned and looked at her suddenly.
She crimsoned deeply. Was 1t the daring
Of the last three words that won her. or
was 1t the near approach to her own feel
ings?
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

A little. old man. with q rugged, deeply
furrowed face, on which, however. kindness
and good nature beamed. hobbled into the
room.
What can I do for you ms child!' he
asked. mo trouble. I hope"
mo. no. no. I want to sell some of tho
superfiuous furniture we have In the house.
A. few rooms shut up could be we'll spared.
"Superfiuous furniture-of course-that 10
my line" and he looked around. His eye
fell on the picture. .By Jove. there you
have gem. Sell that. and 1t will keep the
wolf from the door for many q long day.
Rhoda % energetically cried. '.No, no; I
shall never part with that" that Mr.. Luz
cas-. who had got up from his seat and was
standing gazing at the picture, turned and
looked at her in Amusement,
80. 30, but that is foolish, child. Money
comes before sentiment. In this practical
world"
Mr.. Lucas" said Rhoda, by her manner
showing that she wished the subject Of the
picture set one side. would you mind, COM
ing into the dining-room and seeing soms
of the furniture I wish to sell?'
He could. not refuse to follow her. but
he did not on that account feel any the
more decided that he would not again refer
to the picture. The client to whom he had
alluded woul rejoice In becoming the Dos.
SCISSOR Of such a gem. and. Of course, the
commission he. would himself obtain from
the sale was by no means to be despised.
He knew Rhoda's disposition. however,
knew that she was determined and, a. he
fApNno6 tt halH nntrln.>A>A ~ -. -
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

nOtn1n' that's dtSreSDoCtful to yOUr fathers
memory. But we've. waited n sight q, veau
an, he approved our marriage. Don't Won
think 1t might be some time this .fall-say,
Thankseiyin.. >"
saloame caught Dayid.s hands in hers.
1--WE mt tn .av some,b,n. ~ yor ZEN
hurt you, dear David. but I must. What l
want to do Is this: / want To 20 10 New
York an take lessons. You know I'm a
rich woman now" with an innocent i'm.
portance, IAN father said We could do AZ
we liked with the property. I'm a-soin. 10,
That Is. IL you're xi,lin.. oh. David !,
don't-seem N II I could he hapny even in
heaven III don't take them lessons" She
pressed his hands tight; her eyes were like
stars.
David wa. a little pale and his kind face
4ouiyered for ~ INFINITE n.-.red
gently.
III that's the vay You feel. sa,o.me.
staere amt notkIn, 70 do but jestsso. 1ve
waited considerable long. an 7 .ues. . fev
months more won't make much. difference"
And David smiled Maternity.
salosnna.. nnen.r.t,on. "a. ~. sd
A week later saw her atandinr nm the Mat
form at saybrook Junction. waiting for her
first ride in a train. David was with her.
The misery of the separation oyercame
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

".Whaf does he sayf she. asked curiousIy,
oh. the usual thing. I answered. long
life and. every blessing
He went on talking. however-syen the
drivers turned TO listen. n then glanced
back At N. I spoke to one. and. gathered
the drift Of the mans remarks.
He has . bit Of reputation for second
sight - far ~ I can make out I said,
lausninsiy. and does not want u to TO-
cannot bear us out OF his sight In fact
then coming round to the door OF her icar-
rage Joking apart. are you really very
anxious about Il: Do not let US make Il
. duty-after all We are not bound TO 70.
ArA Rees settled herself back Ia her
seat and laughed. why she said, do you
think ! would turn back now-lt was the
tdee Of setting UP 10 early that held ter
surS for al Of W; now We are fairly on the
way where are the dtfacultiesf Gone, ned.
ltks mist before the I'M. Get In, Colonel
.Chsventx. OF you VIII b left behind.
very soons however. Q halt was called.
and our picturesqusly-attirsd driver EXPLAIN
sd.:smihnsiy. that We could e NO further on
wheel.. - the road ended here. We
'tunhled out with Z great chatter Of tongues
and hustle. and siving Instructions to the
man. to await our return. resumed our
journey on foot. =
For the nrst half hour or 20 II was Easy
enough. b ascent being only gradual.
. the rocks .sheitering US from the glare
Of b sun. The path ascended In one long
:wind against the sfds Of the rock, and ~
We scfmbed hishsr We began to 1ess .
besese.
Then he real dlasculsy Of the ascsn,
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-05-19

Ethelbert was running toward her. He
was an older edition Of his younger sister,
without her fire. With q swift goodnight
to David, Saioame hurried after her
brother.
"Achah. Fell. saloame. where are your
The three crept nearer.
My will is In my secretary he said.
family. 'Tve given each Of you an equal
share. Spend It as o please."
Then. after q pause.
Where's David Compton? You needn't
look SO scared. I'm Of sound mind. sa.
ioame. run fetch him..
In a few minutes Saloame reappeared
with David. both GREATNESS from running.
The Judge held out his hands feebly. .Da-
vid and Saloame each put one Of theirs in
his,
There. David" he. said, with . last
flicker Of his bitter humor. ..saioame amt
quite the girl she was when you courted
her; twelve years does make q girl q little
older. but IL you want her, she's yours"
Then he fell back. dead.
A month later Saloame was seated on
the wall by the Cove. The day was Sun
day. one Of those mild. hasy October days
when summer seems to have stolen back
for a last look at the world. Saloame was
bent over her lap. her cheeks on IRE. her
eyes sparkling with excitement. Beside her
were a few crayons. some worn brushes
and a handful Of twisted tubes. Surely
never had artist a more meager outfit. For
Saloame was an artist: ever since she
had been able to hold a slate pencil her
great happiness had been to draw what
ever she saw or imagined. She laid down
her brush and looked at her picture criti-
cally. It was horribly crude in coloring and
drawing. yet 1t had the feeling Of tranquil
p~en.iyeness. of quiet dreaminess. that be-
longed to the radiant summer day. David's
slow step sounded on the path. II was the
most marked sign Of the Judges DEATH, the
freedom with which David came and went.
saloame scrambled together her work with
a guilty blush. then said. bravely:
II guess you'll think I'm. 1~rofanin' the
Sabbath paintin' like this. /. Jest had q
feelin' I must paint the water an the sky
the way 1t looks to-day. 1 couldn't make
myself wait till to-morrer."
David smiled sympa thetically. II his lAdy
love had danced a JIG ON the stairs Of the
church pulpit. he would have considered It
highly At and becoming. For him 'ths
king can do no wrong"
"ealoame.. dear. va don't want to DO