The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-06-02

The painter raised his head, having
overheard the remarks, and there Was
a little smile of appreciation on his
clear-cut lips. M
''rhe carpenters made It dfsagreeable
for you. did they?" There was . quiet
reserve in his manner that convinced
me Immediately that he was gentle
man. Otherwise should not have en-
couraged him to continue, ON the girls
account, though was burning with m
old mans curiosity to know what kind
Of sign it was to be.
looked at the girl, and thanked
heaven that he was q gentleman, for
saw in her face the dawn Of q
healthy interest in the proposed adver-
tisement. I did not at the time imagine
for moment that the interest ex-
tended to the painter, and still do not
think SO, though realize only too we'll
that I am old and that love moves with
unrelenting swiftness in these days. At
least she was we1l-bred miss and
not fifrtatiously inclined.
Eyes, the carpenters were q noisy
lot" I admitted, after mature refiec-
ton. Then launched out to satisfy
my-perhaps should say our-crav-
ing for knowledge. What is the sign
to be-" I queried, endeavoring to sup
press any suspicion Of rudeness in my
tone. The question had the double e.
feet Of securing the somewhat unin-
ivnR ~ 1Ak<
the painter forever into our good
graces. You see ]. have adopted the
plural now without excuse, and the
girls wide-eyed interest and seeming
dependence on my good Judgment was
beginning to. justify 1t.
"A cigar sign," he announced pleas
antly, pausing in his preparations and
glancing upward, as If to see how the
intelligence was received. flatter my
self that have now reached IN age
when l can assume a st0ical cast of
countenance under stress of deep and
lasting disappointment. 1t wasNnot so
with the girl, however. Her face not
only gave evidence of displeasure. but
she voiced the feeling in words. The
words were:
Glow perfectly horrid!"
:. The painter laughed immoderately.
was certain now that he was no boor,
for 1t takes a; brave and courageous
man to stand a woman's scorn Of his
work. He was not without reason for
his courage, though, and I must not
over-rate his good nature.
But this is not going to be horrid
sign" he said. cts going to be hand
some and attractive" Here's young
American assurance. thought.
81 am commissioned by the manu.
features of the Dorothy cigar he
continued, "to illumine this sign with
the head of charming woman. She
must be beautiful and alluring in the
extreme. If I succeed my future is
assured, and my fortune also. "%
"And do you feel certain that you
will be able to paint such a face?'
asked she.
He looked at her intently for mo-
ment. II was. somewhat doubtful Of
it when took the contract he said,
"but am beginning to feel that possibly
may be able to accomplish something
that will help to sell the Dorothy
cigar"
That ended our first conversation.
Of course we could not see the work he
was doing, as the sign-board was I'M
mediately below us and against the
building. was, moreover, unable to
go down stairs that evening, being con-
fined to my room by a painful attack
of rheumatism, although was haunted
by q strange suspicion, and was more
than anxious to have a glance at the
rough outline on the sign-board Nor
was able to move about much the
following day.
The painter arrived bright and early,
and was awakened by combination
of harmonious melody, which emanated
from a masculine whistle below and
q. girls voice from the next room. The
three of us exchanged salutations and
discussed weather conditions without
variance. Presently I found intent
watching from the window more pain
full than pleasant, and sank back from
sight into my rocker. Then it was /
became an unwilling, and at first I'M
willing eavesdropper. The first re.
mark that reached my ear was the fol-
lowing from the girl:
SIS this beautiful woman you are
painting to be a blonde or a-bru-
nette?" She hesitated slightly on the
last word.
(Which do you consider advisable?''
The slap of his brush had ceased, and
I knew he was losing valuable time.
could also guess that his eyes were
elsewhere than on his work. NJ
'Why blonde, Of course. Every
body thinks blondes are more attract
i've than brunettes." The girl spoke
in a manner that brought to my mind
number Of Impressions, chief among
them being that she did not mean
what she. said. Realizing that she was
probably conscious, or should be-. of her
own dark beauty, could not bring
myself to censure her.
"a blonde it will be, then" was his
quick reDly. &fF& a9S sE54