The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-12-01

IN niddlin' 'arly SOS to git up 'arly an
Ipull my traps fore breakfast, an then
III take We out ishin'. The mackereps
bitin' good these days, an mebbe yell
enjoy it,
Aunt Lissy soon followed, and Albert
was left alone with Telly. 1t looked
intentional. For 4 few moments he
Watched her, still intent on her work.
Have you finished my sketches?' he
said finally.
Not quite" she replied. II had to
60 up. to the cove to work on one in or
der to satisfy myself, and good many
days it was too rough to row up there.
SO that hindered me. I have that one
finished, though, and the other almost"
Was it possible that this girl had
rowed four miles every day in order to
paint from the original scene of his
sketch?
May I see the finished one?" he
asked
She brought it. Not only was the
picture of herself sitting in the shade
Of low spruce reproduced, but the
fern decorated boat near by, the quiet
little cove in front and view of ocean
beyond.
1t was charming picture.
'"There is only one thing lacking"
she said shyly as he held it at an angle
so the freight would shine upon it,
"and didn't dare put that in without
your consent
II do not notice anything left out as
recall the spot.'
"But there isl she replied, land one
that should be there to make the pic
ture correct. Can't you guess?"
He looked at Telly's face. upon which
a roguish smile had come.
mo, 1 can't guess. Tell me what is
lacking?'
Yourself" she replied
"But do not want the picture to re-
mind me Of myself. I wanted it so I
could see you and recall the day we
were there" She made no reply, and
he laid it on the table and asked for
the other one. It was all done except
the finishing touches, but it did not
seem to be a reproduction of his origi-
nal sketch at the cove.
Il took the liberty of changing it a
little,'' she said as he was looking at
it, "and put in the background where
you said you first saw me-"
1T was nice Of you to think of max
ing the change" lie replied quickly,
land I am very glad you did 1 want
ed it to portray you as I first saw
you"
A faint flush came into her face. AS
she was watching the fire he studied
the sweet face turned half away. And
what charming profile it was, with
rounded chin, delicate patrician nose
and long eyelashes just touching the
cheek that bore telltale flush! Was
that faint color due to the fire or to
his words? Then they dropped into
pleasant chat about trifes, and the
oceans voice kept up it's rhythm, the
fire sparkled, and the small cottage
clock licked the happy moments away.
"How is Mrs. Leach?" he asked at
last. docs she pray as fervently at
every meetingw
Gust the same" replied Telly, land
always will as long as she has breath.
1t is, as father says, her only consola-
tion.''
Il have thought of that evening
many times SINCE" he continued, "and
the impression that poor old lady made
on me with her piteous supplication. I
wonder how it would affect a Boston
church congregation some evening to
have such an appearing figure, clad as
she was, rise and utter the prayer she
did. 1t would startle them, think
II do not think Mrs. Leach would
enter one of your city churches re-
sponded Telly, land certainly not clad,
as she has to be. She has a little pride
even if she is poor.''
"Oh, I meant no reflection, only the
scene was so impressive l wondered
how it would affect a fashionable
church gathering. think it would do
them good to listen to a real sincere
prayer that came from some ones
heart and was not manufactured for
the occasion. Those who wear fine
silks and brOadcloth and sit in cush-
Toned pews seldom hear such a prayer
as she uttered that night
|
sat in silence few moments mentally
contrasting the girl with those he had
met in Boston.
And what a contrast!
! This girl clad in gray dress severe
in it's simplicity and so ill fitting that it
really detracted from the beautiful out
lines of her form. Her luxuriant tress-
es were braided and coiled low on the
back of her head, and at her throat a
tiny bow of blue. Not an ornament Of
any nature, not even ring, only the
crown of her sunny hair, two little
rose leaves in her cheeks and the
queenlike majesty of throat and Shout
ders and bust, so classic that not one
woman in a hundred but would envy
her their possession
| And what contrast in speech, ex-
preston and ways-timid to the verge
Of bashfulness, utterly unaffected and