The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-14

and faded out as the moon went down
behind the pasture, and hare came
limping home across the road. Then
the dawn wind washed through the
upland grasses and brought GOODNESS
with it, and the cattle lowed by the
drought shrunk river. Maisie,s head
fell forward on the window sill, and
the tangle of black hair covered the
arms.
''Maisie, wake up. You'll catch a
chilli
'Yes, dear; yes, dear" She staggered
to her bed like wearied child, and as
she buried her face in the pillows she
muttered: 81 think-I think But he
ought to have written"
Day brought the routine of the stu
do, the smell of paint and turpentine
and the monotonous wisdom of Kami,
who was a leaden artist, but golden
teacher if the pupil were only in SYM
pathy with him. Maisie was not in
sympathy that day, and she waited
impatiently for the end Of the work.
She knew when it was coming, for
coat into a bunch behind him and, with
faded blue eyes that saw neither pu-
pills nor canvas, look back into the past
to recall the history of one Binat.
you have all done not so badly" he
would say. But you shall remember
that il is not enough to have the meth
cd and the art and the power, nor even
that which is touch, but you shall have
also the conviction that nails the work
to the wall OF the so many / have
taught''-here the stu(Hnts would be-
gin to unfiX drawing pins or get their
tubes together-"the very so many that
4 nave taught, the best was Binat ALI
that comes of the study and the work,
and the knowledge was to him even
when he came. After he left me he
should have done all that could be done
with the color, the form and the knowl-
edge. Only he had not the conviction.
So today l hear no more of Binat, the
best of my pupils, and that is long ago.
So today, too, you will be glad to hear
no more of me. ContinueZ, meSde
moiselles, and, above all, with convic-
ton
He went into the garden to smoke
and mourn over the lost Binat as the
pupils dispersed to their several cot
tages or loitered in the studio to make
plans for the cool of the afternoon.
Maisie looked at her very unhappy
Melancolia, restrained desire to
grimace before it and was hurrying
across the road to write q letter to
Dick when she was aware of a large
man on a white troop horse. How
Torpenhow had managed in the course
of twenty hours to find his way to the
hearts of the cavalry officers in quar-
tiers at Vitry- Marine, to discuss with
them the certainty of glorious re-
vanche for France, to reduce the colo
mel to tears of pure affability and to
borrow the best horse in the squadron
for the journey to Kamis studio is
mystery that only special correspond
ents can unravel.
II beg your pardon" said he. 1T
seems an absurd question to ask, but
the fact is that don't know her by
any other name. Is there any young
lady here that is called Maisie?"
81 am Maisie," was the answer from
the depths of great sun hat.
Il ought to introduce myself" he
said as the horse capered in the blind
ing white dust. "AIy name is Torpen-
how. Dick Heldar is my best friend,
and-and-the fact is that he has gone
blind
"Blindp' said Maisie stupidity. HE
can't be blind"
HE has been stone blind for nearly
two MONTHS
Maisie lifted up her face and it was
pearly white. NO! No! Not blind.
won't have him blindr'
Would you care to see for yourself?"
said TOrpenhow.
'Now-at onceY
"Oh, no! The Paris train doesn't go
through this place till tonight. There
will be ample time.'
did Mr.. Heldar send.you to me-"
Certainly not. Dick wouldn't do that
sort of thing. He's sitting in his studio
turning over some letters that he can't
read because he's blind"
There was sound Of choking from
the sun hat Maisie bowed her head
and went into the cottage, where the
red haired girl was on a sofa complain
ing of a headache.
Dicks blind" said Maisie. taking
her breath quickly as she steadied her
On CT oh -,
blindr'
"Wbat?" The girl was on the sofa no
longer.
"a man has come from England to
tell me- He hasn't written to me for
six weeks
"Are you going to him?"
81 must think"
''Think! / should go back to London
and see him. and should kiss his eyes
and kiss them and kiss them until they
got well again. If you don't go | shall.
Oh, what am l talking about? You
wicked little idiot! Go to him at once
Co..
Torpenhow's neck was blistering, but
he preserved a smile of infinite pa
thence as Maisie appeared bareheaded
in the sunshine.
81 am coming" said she, her eyes on
the ground.
"You will be at Vitry station. then, at
z this evening"" This was an order de-
livered by one who was used to being
obeyed. Aaisie said nothing, but she
felt grateful that there was no chance
of disputing with this big man who
took everything for granted and man.
aged a squealing horse with one hand.
She returned to the red haired girl. who