Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-11-24
For Sake Of
Peace
BY OHIO y. SEGNA
Copyright, 1901, by Otho b. Ss0na

AlOLc.
Where are the other girls?'
"They are all out somewhere. Kara
is
Never mind. Just SO they are not in
the house. Mrs. Gray, IL you have any
mercy in your makeup keep everybody
away from that studio for just one
half hour I've waited two years for
this chance"
He hurried noiselessly up the stairs
to the top floor Of the Octagon, home
of bachelor maids. The studio door
was open, and Peace sat by the easel
facing an unfinished painting OF Evan
geline."
Peace be unto this house." was his
salutation as he salaamed oriental
fashion, "and to me, Peacev'
She feigned absorption in her work.
Must / remove my shoes?" still
waiting at the door, holding a rose in
his outstretched hand.
Come you from Persian she que
ried, smiling.
Surely, fair lady, and the rose-'tis
the Persian rose of beauty and Of love
to you a peace Offering"
II suppose you may come in,"
grudgingly. II really want the rose"
"'Tis yours, gentle maiden, likewise
the heart of the Persian
That's not funny" severely.
"Nay, but It's truth"
ITS q beautiful morning for a
walk" in mo trespassing' tone.
''Oh, delightfulr' chilled, but tena-
ciously hopeful. Jack and have been
out looking at houses"
How Interestingly
''Tell me truly, Peace, what did you
think the other day when l actually
forced old Jack to show his hand, like
wise his hearth
81 thought" vaguely, intuitively on
the defensive, II thought you knew
what you were about"
II did," eagerly. II feared he would
never propose to Edith unless he was
helped, and was tired Of waiting"
"WaitingY with puzzled interest.
"Yes. You see, was bound by a sa-
cred promise, and was growing des-
perate."
81 don't understand
"It was like this" pushing the Ro-
man scat nearer the easel and assum-
ing a nonchalance he was far from
feeling-"you know, it's two years since
Jack and l began calling here at the
Octagon. Judge Graves introduced us
sort of vouched for our respectabillty
you may remember
II remember" putting fresh colors
on the palette
"Well, in a few weeks Jack discov-
cred that he was In love with Edith. !
knew long before that / was in"-
KINDLY move a little, Mr.. Bruce. I
may spatter paint on your clothing"
coldly polite
The Roman seat was moved back
little-a very little.
THANK you. / don't often spatter,
but accident, you know
"M-m, yes. Well, as i was saying"
strenuously endeavoring to regain lost
ground, Jack and 'fessed to one an
other one night, and Jack was dread
fully gloomy over It," pausing, expect
ing question.
The artist was intensely interested in
adjusting with the brush a fold of
Evangeline's gown.
"M-m, over his prospects, mean.
And when ! told him that 1 was
"Please hand me that rag, Mr.. Bruce;
no, not that one, the oily one on the
floor beside your seat. Thank you. /
never before had so much trouble with
drapery."
"You don't know what the word
trouble means, Peace Gray. Now, I'll
go on" firmly. when l told Jack that
/ was In love he said that was all right
for me. With my wealth I could pro-
pose at once, and ! could be married
within month II / wanted to. while
he. with his uncertain future. must
wait an indefinite time before he could
even let the girl know he cared for
her"
"Well. he has now, and l hope they
will be very happy" dismissing the
subject with flnality.
"Oh, they WILL" hurriedly, "and !
told Jack-actually made a vow, In
fact-that I'd never breathe a word
Of
"You kept the secret faithfully. Mr..
Bruce. There. don't you like that dra-
perry better?"
never breathe word Of my at
tachment." doggedly persevering. "un-
I'll he was In position to declare his.
And I've kept faith with Jack and
strict guard over myself for two years.
Now" trlumphantly, II am free to
speak,
do you care to have the cross In
the picture. Mr.. Bruce? Many artists
show a cross. half concealed In the
shadowy suggestion OF trees, just back
OF the figure OF Evangeline. This is
your commission. and any changes
IL wish you'd let me finish It." with
apparent surrender.
"Finlsh the picture? Why, i didn't
know you cod paint"
IL can't, nor draw, but can finish
this picture TO suit me. Peace. do you
know she looks like your
$50 the girls say" following his lead
with evident relief.
81 wish she didn't look so sad"
"You couldn't expect anything else.
She cannot find her Gabriel"
"Sofne Evangelines won't look at Ga
. slel when he comes to them." gloom.
Iy.
I'm curious to know how you would
anish the picture" on guard again.
"oh, I'd improve on Longfellow. I'd
have Gabriel come and surprise her
while she IN sitting here. I'd have her
seem glad 10 see him, and-and very
glad TO him, you know. I'd have him
put his arms around her and kiss her
well. nine times. sure. And then I'd
have them marry and live happy ever
after as the old fashioned fairy tales |
always did"
"If l weren't afraid you'd spoil the
picture" temptingly.
"Oh, no, l won't; ! won't hurt II |
bit." eagerly. n daring thought fasci- |
mating him with Its possibilities. You |
get me big apron: mustn't spoil my |
clothes"
Her absence was brief, but sufficient |
FOR his purpose. When she returned he |
waved his hand triumphantly toward |
the easel
There. Evangellne; your Gabriel has
come and awaits your greeting"
She stepped nearer 10 the picture--a