The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-02-26

.
: and strictly avoiding the village heard
none of The speculative gossip con-
I ctnns old Gorky and Silvia. OF whom
nobody knew anything. for all the long
7 years they had lived their secluded
\ lives among the mountainous popula-
/ tion OF the Blue Ridge
Gorky had reluctantly consented TO
| Silyia's going To prim little Miss Hen
Gricks school in Boone but her inter-
course with the other children ended
/ with the school hours. She and Gorky
lived aloof and alone
She had grown up tall and splendid
~ developed, with a wealth OF reddish
brown hair. great hazel eyes. a sweet
\ laughing mouth. and a skin whose daz-
/ zling fairness no exposure to the winds
and sunshine OF Blowing Rocl. could
tan or impair
David Henderson sat lazily in a big
arm chair and smoked. for was he not
in the mountains for rest? and watched
Silvia as she sketched and drew with
bold and successful strokes or painted
with strange fidelity fair landscape
scenes Of the country around.
AT first they had chatted and talked
in good comradeship. Silvia Of her
strange studies, and peaceful joys. and
David of his rushing, turbulent life be-
You'd the mountains. But OF late David
was content TO sit silent.
You are a wonderfully accomplished
young mountain maid. You speak for
eign languages. and If you keep on
working very hard youll be a toler-
ably good artist some day. David said
smilingly from the depths OF his easy
chair
"Win l. really? That is what
want more than anything in the world
To be an artist Silvia said with en-
thusiasm. TOO absorbed in trying 10 re-
produce the htful LIGHTS and shades on
the distant lake, visible through the
open door. 10 do more than glance
around ar her instructor. who had be-
come fast friend during the long
summer months Of constant inter-
course between them since that June
afternoon when David had reluctantly
consented TO give Silvia a few lessons
Is that your ambition? You think
painting an art above all things be-
cause YOU are still a child. Your wom-
ans heart is asleep. lou know naught
\ Of the vanitcs and triumphs of life. OF
\ IT'S pomps and pleasures Wait until
, on have made acquaintance with the
I worlds homage. and your power; YOU
I are not made 10 be an artist" II was
the first time David had spoken in this
strain. and the conclusion he had
reached concerning his strange and
fascinating pupil surprised even him
self
Silvia paused Ia her painting Of a
light cloud on EagIe mountain. and
turning looked anxously az David.
'no Won know I'm awfully afraid Of
the time when / must 60 away from
our dear old home in these mountains.
Gorky IS always telling me. and read
about the gay life people lead in biz
cities. but | don't understand II. I'm
afraid Of 3D. Just look al me- I'm
abominably dressed. know How
would | look and feel in fine clothes
and jewels? Oh I'm horribly afraid"
Silvia was not aware that her words
implied the right 10 admission in a
world lar removed from the solitary
life which had always been hers.
David gazed al her fxedly. his keen
artist eye picturing accessories more
fitting "a her extreme loveliness and OF
which she seemed SO innocently uncon-
scious, as also OF the power she would
certainly WELD some day.
\ sudden strange pang shot through
Dayid's heart.
Yes he realized fully that she would
be called away 10 take part in a dii-
ferent life. When? he wondered
You need have no fears" he said
musinsly. Wherever YOU are and
however CARRIED you will tower over all
other women"
Silvia flushed and laughed gayly
Indeed I'll do no such thing. I'm
ignorant and fearfully awkward. and
DO you know who I'll be more afraid
OF than any one else on earth?"
"Who?" David asked in asionish-
mcnt. for he had seen Silvia drive a
utNsflbNr ltdil With IftNlt,N tpIilfb
su-e over a dangerous road. and on a
certain occasion confront and drive on
threatening bun without tremor OF
fear who in the world would you
be afraid of?"
"My maid" Silvia an. wered in a
stage whisper. "Pauicula' y ii she is
French. DO you know have been
practicing giving orders? Julie
Gonnez mes giants. and all sorts of
sharp orders. 10 try 10 get used TO the
idea. told GOrky ! positively will
not have maid But he says must;
that il wouldn't do al all 10 refuse TO
have one. III grow used TO seeing the
horrid thing around lie says III have
20 have her sleeping in the room next
to mine. Fancy. II will be awful.
do hope IN be allowed 10 stay here
with Gorky just US two. for at leas;
ten more years. And if you'l como
back next summer. why IN be perfect
~ happy. III take your version OF the
beau monde and be content TO keep
out of II. Are all the women beautiful,
and is 81 just as the novels say?
Heavens. it's almost time for Gorky