Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-06-05

ticularly occupied him, and which he
hoped to finish in time for the Royal
Academy; after that he might have a
request to make of me. Had l ever
been told by artists that my profile
was a study?
All, he meant, then, to ask me to
paint my picture What a triumph
over that horrid Williamson girl, who
had said that one day, not far off, my
nose and chin would meet! Evidently
she did not uIN 9rstand true art
l have such a trick of blushing.
never can get over it. l blushed now,
and murmured that any request Mr.
Vernon might make l was sure
would be but too glad to comply with.
Then he rose to go, but before doing
so he placed one-pound note in my
hand.
Invariably in advance, Miss Lor-
ing" he said. almost apologetically
1T is rule from which l never devi-
ate"
The next day he came. He brought
| with him nothing but the picture on
which he was at work, his paints and
easels, and one or two wooden models
| OF course | never intruded upon him
at his work, but he grew into the hab-
it, as he passed the open door of the
sitting room, to drop in and talk with
me.
| One afternoon, when he had fingered
over his painting longer than his wont,
and seemed more tired, asked him to
stay and take cup of tea with me.
| | could not but see how gladly he
consented. Of course did my guest all
honor. With my own hands | drew the
old heirlooms from their covers and
| placed them ON the table. With par
donable pride | ushered him into the
| room.
Are you not afraid to live alone
Miss Loring,' he asked, with so much
valuable silver?"
"Oh, no." l answered; II keep it in
a safe built in the wall, and sleep with
the key under my pillow. No one
would think of looking for 1t there"
And then l went on to explain to
him my horror of banks, and now
much of my worldly goods l preferred
to have under my personal supervi-
sion.
"It is not safe,' he insisted. II wish
| had the right to refuse to allow you
to run such risk"
With what tenderness he uttered the
last sentence! To what was it the
prelude? 1t must not come upon me
too suddenly. | could not bear the
fullness of its ecstacy. but l no longer
doubted what for long had suspected
-Algernon's heart was mine.
AS he bade me good night he held
and pressed my hand. l fear my head
in spite of the injury to my cap, fell
one brief instant ON his manly
shoulder. l heard something like a
sigh; then he tore himself away.
was again alone.
The next day | did not see him on
his way to the studio. Two men were
with him, so he could not stop. They
were rather rough-looking men-evi-
IDENTITY models. Shortly after one IF
them passed down the stairs and went
out Then Algernon came.
Where is your visitor?"I asked.
They have both gone" he said.
| thought it strange l had not seen
the other man pass, but soon Alger-
mons presence made me forget all
| else; only he seemed distrait and ill at
! ease.
Perhaps l had been too cold, too dis
tant, and so had wounded his noble
| heart. | silently swore to throw off
| the mask of maiden modesty, and
show him more of the true heart which
beat but for him. Before, however, |
had gotten. my courage to the point,
he had gone.
| l sat alone for two, perhaps three
| hours, until the twilight fell Then n
| sudden desire assailed me to go up and
| look at the progress of his work.
had not seen the picture since the day
it came. and he had been with me
fortnight.
Softly | opened the door. The pic
ture was on it's easel, covered with a
cloth. The cloth l gently raised, but
| | could discover on the canvas no
change. Doubtless, lost in thought of
ne, Algernon had striven in vain to
pursue his art.
| sank into chair and gave myself
up to sweet reverie, when suddenly
started. A loud. and violent sneeze
sounded close beside me. | sprang to
my feet aud looked about the room. 1t
was empty, save for the two wooden
models and myself.
| One of these models Algernon had
evidently been copying, since he had
dressed it in the brigand hat and coat
he kept for that purpose, and which
ne once had shown me.
great terror assailed me;
searched every corner of the room. In
yain-i could discover nothing.
At last | went out but taking the
key from the door l locked it behind
me. On my way down stairs l caught
a glimpse of Jenny's (my maid of all
work. young man, escaping through
the back door.
l did not approve OF followers, but