Gilpin observer., 1902-02-13

"Just lean against the fence"
own workmen-as subjects for art. not
as lovers"
AT the end of a silent half hour
for Dorothy was eminently business
like when she chose to be-she said,
That will do. l hope you are not
tired. And here is the money" AS
she handed it to him, the laborer
turned his head quickly away for a
moment, and she thought he was GO
ing to burst into tears his shoulders
shook so. But she did not say any
thing more, although she resolved to
have him pose again for her. Il have
no doubt that little money came as
God-send to him and his little family"
she wrote that hight. He told me
himself, just before he went to work
again, that Mr.. Van Dyke was the
worst enemy he had. Strange, isn't it.
how men of wealth do oppress those
under them?"
But though several sittings followed
this. and Dorothy, in the goodness Of
her sympathetic little heart, endeav-
ored to secure the poor fellows conf
dence with a view to helping him
further. he always avoided telling her
much about himself.
When Ida McCane ran down to
spend week with Dorothy, who was
stopping with n aunt in the tiny
country town, she found Dorothy's in
terest in her model still on the in
crease. HE is really lovely model.
Ida" she said, ''and wears such pic
turesque corduroys. He doesn't talk
much. but he looks at me in such a
strange way at times that wonder
If he isn't going to tell me the story
OF his life! l hope not, for | don't
like such elaborate narratives. Yes
terday he did say that Mr.. Van Dyke
is not as bad as some people think.
though he often says things that he
does not mean. l want you to come
with me tomorrow and tell me what
you think of him-the model He GER
tainly has not always been la5orer.
for he shows evidences of gentle blood
and good breeding every day
What paragon you have found"
laughed Ida as she kissed Dorothy
again. 81 really think | will have to
warn Mr.. Van Dyke that you are
thinking of kidnapping his star labor
er. or. at least. trying to make him
dissatisfied with his work"
"Oh, but l am not" said Dorothy.
And, besides, he seems to work only
when he pleases. Did | tell you that
he has asked me for a picture of HIM
self-to give to his wife for Christmas.
I suppose. He hinted as much.'
The following day Ida accompan-
led Dorothy to the meadow which ad-
joined that of the Van Dykes. and
not long after they had settled them
selves the model appeared. AS he
took off his cap to acknowledge the
presence of the newcomer and the in
PRODUCTION, Miss McCane bit her lip
sharply. Then she discovered she had
left her best brushes at the house and
insisted on going after them herself
She did not return.
After lunch Ida put one arm about
Dorothy as they walked through the
little orchard. II wish you would let
me ask Mr.. Van Dyke to call. Dolly.
dear" she said. He is really very
nice. and as his laborer says he does
not mean to say unpleasant things.
You know | used to know him quite
we'll. May | not?"
Perhaps. some day." answered Dor
othy. but you must never tell him
about my model. / want him to dis
cover that next spring"
Ida smiled slightly. Then she
stopped and. turning Dorothy about
till she faced her, she said: II think
he knows about that now. Dolly. He's
pretty clever even IL he does do &C.
centric things-like wearing old
clothes and working about his estate,
just for the love of manual labor"
Dorothy gave little gasp. What
do you mean?" she cried. turning red
and white by turns. while her blue
eyes grew big with frightened surprise.
Nothing. except that for the past
month or so you have been industri-
ously painting pictures OF gentle
rustic named Robert Van Dyke" said