The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-10-07

her beautiful, Spanish. naughty best.
Some one had called it h por-
trait of a rose-leaf princess: II in
deed, her lovely face stood out. flower
like. from the warm SHADOW of velvets
and furs.
She often apoatrophized her portrait
&ngfatefully, you hateful thing" she
would cry. Il don't wan to be a rose
want 10 be loved
Just about this time. Perkins began
TO paint the portrait of Il very charms
ing Moman older than Castillo by some
Years. She had u mobile face, WONDER
full light eyes, changeful as The sea, and
masses of light hair; and she was very
Witty n fascinating. Castillo hated
her, especially when James Henry eX-
pressed his opinion that to paint her
portrait so as to do her justice was the
work of a lifetime; for she was variable
as the winds, m her wonderful play
of expression rnirrored every mood.
His artists soul was panied because
Castillo would not See her beauty.
"Beauty!" she scornfully exclaimed.
Il should hin her bones would make
holes in her dresses. poor %creature, and
salloW, faded complexion"
She became more more dissatis-
fed with her own portrait. Sometimes
she felt that she would like TO burn
it. Why had James Henry given her
that arrogant expression, which seemed
to say. Behold me! am an heiress!'
She Wished She hadn't a penny
one evening she strolled into the
dilnly-lit room, where her husband sat
dreaming before the fire. Resting one
c%uriously down upon him" He's think
ing Of that horrid creature was her
jealous fancy.
Tell me, James dear she said,
what is the best thing in the world ."
The best thing in the world ." he
said d%reSnlily. why, freedom. / sup
pose
That was enough. She turned n
left him. "Nou poor thing!" She said
TO her portrait as she passed it. You
poor thing" she repeated, meaning her
self.
why, Susie" said the p%aternal
friend. who had just been admitted, lin
the dark, and in tears? Is the worlu
hollow, and your doll stuffed with saw
dust p"
I'm e]rying,~ h aaid meehly; I
7 see. Shedding a few tears for
want of something better to do jest
ingly.
IN ten you why" she said desper-
ately; Il hate that portrait of myself
room with it,"
Send it to me then. Susie, he said
soothingly. Eli give it house room until
you want it again"
"Oh, for goodness sake, take 1t. will
you, really? It's SO cold, naughty and
%scornful."
The paternal friend thought he UNI
d~erstood. Il will send for 1T tonor-
row." he said. And remember, when
you wish for it, it is yours"
where is your portrait, CasSiIlia?"
said James Henry the next day.
Il didn't like it here" eplied Castillo.
Il took it down.
The artist grew a little pale and said
nothing.
Now. since his marriage with Cas-
tillia. he had became very chummy with
the Paternal Friend. so a day or two
after this conversation he called at
the house where the Paternal Friend
lived in solitary state. He was add
mitted on the supposition that the
master of the house was at home which
turned out TO be q mistake.
While waiting, James Henry looked
idly about him. Suddenly he staggered
backward against the wall. for there
hanging in the broad light, was his
portrait of his lovely. naughty Castillo.
Hastily leaving the house, he turned
mechanically homeward. As he neared
his own dwelling he lifted his moody
eyes to see the Paternal Friend walk
ing blithely away from the door. James
Henry strobe eloomily into the house;
in the hallway stood Castilia-a radiant
different Castilia.
oh James!' she cried joyously,
what do you think has ,happened"
Susan Ann" he said sternly and
With YOU portrait"
Susan Ann" The end of the world
has come. In the the days of his great
est Indifference he had never called her
Susan Ann.
And because she was a woman, and
very much in love, she-slightly pre-
varicated.
Yes" she said sweetly, "he has Just
been here to tell me that he is going
to be married to that horid woman
with the green eyes; and'-triumph-
antly: Il sent the picture to him as a
wedding present."
James Henry's face cleared. and then
clouded anew. He looked bewildered.
"But-but," he stammered, "he came
today to tell you of his Engagement
and you sent the picture to him three
days ago"
4 now I did"-despairingly-1
hate it so, and / cried and said I
couldn't stay in the same house with
1t, and he offered to keep it until I
wanted it again"
You hated your beautiful portrait
the best thing | ever did," said James
Henry in establishment. "Ah | seel
1t was because | painted 1t, and you
had ceased to love me or to take any
interest in my work.
Mo- she cried, mot that; never
ceased-to take an Interest in your
work. thames Henry. it was you
who ceased to love me-"
"Castilia!" he exclaimed in amaze
ment. Il never loved anybody in this
wide world but YOU"
MOT even the Paternal Friends
financee?"
What nonsense! My lovely, darling
Castillo, she is excellent for purposes
of study; her grace and odd coloring
are so marked; but you are you-and
all is said"
The Strategy of a Weasel.
Louisville Courier-Journal: "A
weasel is a wizard as we'll as a fighter.