Gilpin observer., 1902-02-13

She sat on the top rail of the ram
bling old fence and looked critically at
the landscape before her. Her hat
was tipped from her white forehead.
releasing a dozen tendril-like yellow
curls, slightly dampened by her walk
In the summer sun. Her short skirt
was trifle higher than her governess
the only mother she had ever known
would have sanctioned, revealing
round and pretty ankle dressed in
dainty black silk hose; and under one
arm she carried a box Of paints and
brushes. In her lap light camp stool
rested
''It is pretty" she said, after time,
and it is absurd for me to attempt to
paint it; but what can one do? We
must begin ambitious work sometime,
or we will never be classed among the
to a star, or-Oh! OH"
The quotation was cut short oy an
ominous cracking of decayed rails and
the next moment the pretty girl with
the, yellow curls and the high ambi-
ton had sat down very hard and very
suddenly in patch of clover on the
other side of the fence
you cannot hope to become fam
ous." she added calmly enough.
thodgh tears came to the blue eyes as
she spoke. Then, before she could re-
cover herself and her equilibrium a
calm voice back of her asked, May /
help you up?"
Dorothy Mann turned quickly.
bearded man, with a much worn suit
of corduroy, and carrying heavy
rake, was holding out a helping hand
to her. mo, thank you," she an
swered, getting to her feet with all the
dignity at her command, while her
cheeks grew becomingly red. d
1.-The fence is not very strong"
NO" said he gravely. 'it isn't.
hope to get around to it this week,
however, and will repair it as well as
l can"
Dorothy took the camp stool he was
offering her and looked at the man as
If she had expected the interruption to
her noble resolve.
II suppose you are one of Mr.. Van
Dykes workmen?" she said. His
sang-froid. with the evident common
ness of attire seemed strangely incon-
gruous to her.
Il am-Yes, Miss" he said. touch
ing his hat respectfully. The motion
was not awkward, and the hat seemed
inclined to come all the way off in
place Of being merely disturbed mo-
mentarily by his hand. A throb Of ar
tistic fervor made itself felt in the lit
tie artists breast. The newcomer was
good looking, and she made a quick
resolve.
Are you busy now?" she asked, in
her most business-like tone. "If you
are not l would like to have you pose
for me to paint you. Half an hour
will be long enough. You can do 1t |
easily, l am sure, and it would be half |
a dollar extra for you, without work |
OF course Mr.. Van Dyke would lose
your time while l have 1t. but he is
rich man. l understand, and he would
not know anything about it."
A brief smile fitted over the labor
er's tired face, and Dorothy wondered
quickly II she had been guilty of any
high crime in suggesting the matter
to him. Then the man spoke. THANK
you, MISS" he said. "Ill be glad to
pose for you. Mr.. Van Dyke isn't any
friend OF mine. even IL do work for
him, and he wouldn't dare say any
thing II he found it out. Where'n l
stand?"
Right there by the fence" said
Dorothy, breathing easier now that
she saw the man was inclined to be
respectful and glad Of the opportunity
she found for a figure" study. I'll
be ready in a moment. Just lean
against the fence and turn your head
the other way. Yes. hold the rake the
way you have it now. Don't look at
me. but just think of what you have
to do on the place tomorrow. There"
And her small fingers began to fly over
the block of water color paper as she
sketched in, with hard pencil. the
rough outline of the well knit figure
before her. IF can only get him as
he really is" she said to herself. 1T