The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-04-04

She sat on the top rail of the ram
bling old fence and looked critically AT
the landscape before her. Her nat
was tipped from her white forehead
releasing a dozen tendril-like yello"
curls, slightly dampened by her walk
In the summer sun. Her short skirt
was a trile higher than her governess
the only mother she had ever KNOWN
would have sanctioned. revealing d
round and pretty ankle dressed IN
dainty black silk hose; and under one
arm she carried a box OF paints anu
brushes. In her lap a light camp stool
rested.
ut is pretty" she said, after a time
"and it is absurd for me to attempt 10
paint it: but what car one DO? we
must begin ambitious work sometime
or we will never be classed among the
immortals of art. Hitch your wagon
to a STAR or-Oh! OH"
The quotation was cut short by an
ominous cracking OF decayed rails n
the next moment the pretty girl with
the yellow curls and the high amol-
ton had sat down very hard and very
suddenly in a patch of clover on the
other side Of the fence.
you cannot hope to become FAM
ous," she added calmly enough,
though tears came to the blue eyes as
she spoke. Then. before she could re-
cover herself and her equilibrium q
calm voice back Of her asked, May l
help o up"
Dorothy Mann turned quickly. A
bearded man, with a much worn suit
Of corduroy, and carrying a 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. 81
THE fence is not very strong"
mo-" said he gravely. lit isn't. |
hope to get around to it this week,
however, and will repair it as well as
! can"
Dorothy took the camp stool he was
Offering her and looked at the man az
II 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--Ycs, Miss" he said, touch
ing his hat respectfully. The motion
was not awkward, and the hat seemed
inclined to come all the way OF 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
win be long enough. You can do 1t
easily. I I'm sure, and It would be half
q dollar extra for you. without work.
OF course Mr.. Van Dyke would lose
your time while l have 1t, but he is q
rich man. l understand, and he would
not know anything about It,"
UIlcA Billie uiCLcQ over the l0DOr-
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. MI. Van Dyke isn't any
friend OF mine. even il l do work for
him. and he wouldn't dare say any
thing II he found it out. Where.l I
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. .Ill
be ready in q moment. Just lean
against the fence and turn your head
the other way. Yes, hold the rake the
way you have 1t now. Don't look ut
me. but just think Of what you have
to do on the place tomorrow. There!"
And her small fingers began to fy over
the block Of water color paper AZ she
sketched in. with a hard pencil, the
rough outline Of the well knit figure
before her. III I can only get him az
no really H." she said to herself. ut