The Grit-advocate., 1904-01-22

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was determined, but nervous.
He, somehow. found it difficult to
deal on! the truth TO Kitty. She was
bew.trhing in simple little gown of
Gau:y gray. with a girdle and wide
collar of violet. such as only her clear.
pretty complexion could bear. Her
costumes We're artistic. II she was not,
Mr.. Archer observed to himself.
She felt his half-unconscious scru-
tiny. and her small ears were very
pink. Notwithstanding the shadow of
her curls.
Some way. he couldn't just remcm-
her what it was he had decided to say
to ler. until she had her palette set
and was placin. her easel for re-
newed effort at Il still life.
Kitty herself was chatting away.
meanwhile wondering at Miss Grey's
absence.
1T isn't nice for her to leave me hero
unchaperOned," she said. Though real
lX don't mind about those petty con-
vcntionaiities." and Kitty looked up
and laughed. assidously palette knitting
the while.
Then Mr.. Archer's conscience smote
him afresh. and he said: There's
something 1 ought TO speak TO you
about. Miss Kitty
kitty turned about with the knife
in midair, surprised nj his deeply scri
ous tone
What is it:' she asked. waiting.
NO" Mr.. Archer hcSitatcd: that is
it can wait till your lesson is over.
Don't interrup yourself now
An effort toward adjusting her can
vas served TO 10 away with his con
fusion
After nearly an hour. of dcsuItory
dabs mt the defensclcss canvas Kitty
gathered mp her brushes. turned about
and asked: What is it, Mr.. Archer
Tell me, please. Is ii about my work -
Mr.. Archer walked up to her chair
ana lail fatherly sort of hand on
her curiS.
ITS just this. Miss Kitty" he said
you'll never be an artist. You can
| paint flower bits. or do plaques or dec
ora,c screens for your parlor. but l
cant let YOU 90 on expecting to paint.
lit wouldn't be honest
He waited Il moment. then turned
| about and walked to the farther end
of the studio.
Kitty sat there. IT seemed incred-
ihlc TO her that it had been for moth
ing all those months she had worked.
| trying to see the mysterious quality
that lurlied in Il tin pan, dish of
apples, or a group of books thrown
down at random.
| She sat here-despcratcly.
You will pardon me Miss Kitty:''
| Mr. Archer asked. coming back and
| holding out his hand to her.
| For Il moment she was irreSolutc:
| then. feeling an overwhelming impulse
To cry. s!" arose. took her hat hastily.
saying, .'Good-bye, Mr.. Archer" and
rushed from the ROOM her cheeks
afamo.
After an hour she came back. her
| cheeks still aflamc but all the resOlu-
| tion Of plymouth Rock on her pretty
| face.
I've come for. my colors. Mr.. Ar
cher" she said. There was nothing
| unpleasant about her manner; she
Semcd hurt. but intense withal
She was so funny frying to be heroic
with that stubborn look in her eyes.
| that Mr.. Archer wanted to laugh. and
yet he was conscious of n desire to
comfort and carcSs her round, troubled
| face.
While she was ricking up her colors
pened-but going up to his injured dis
ciple he took her righ; in his arms.
"kittcn.' he found himself saying.
'if | can't teach You to paint. can't
l teach YOU to love me? You might do
that hetter-much better" and he
would have kissed her. but she buried
| her face tight against his shoulder
| lie waited II hliSsful little while.
when suddenly kitty pushed away
| from him quite out of reach. and said:
no. Mr.. Archcr-you mustn't can't.
| ! will paint. Im--on@ to Paris, ~
she concluded precipi,ato,y, sat down.
| aud was crying into her handkerchief.
Mr.. Archer never for Il moment
| doubted his ability TO console her He
took her hands down from her face.
| and for a while reasoned some very
pretty reasoning.
| But he WIS surprised and puzzled
to find that Kitty refused to listen to
him. It took II long time. but finally
| he understood that she was determined
+" 20 on with her work.
I'd teach YOU all could. Kitten
1 he urged. You're wrong about this.
| Won ought to marry me. You could
paint all you chose-you dear child"
But kitty was so firm-even to the
point OF more toIrs-that he gave up
trying to convince her of the folly of
not loving him. He even Went farther
than that.
Il want You to believe in me-" Kitty
: hn,