Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1904-11-22


III Copyright, 1904 By Ohio B. Segna Hi
Mrs. Gray" whispered Alec Bruce,
''where is Peace?"
.In the studio"
"AloneT'
"Alone.'
Where are the other girls?"
'They are all out somewhere. Kara
Isl
"Never mind. Just so they are not in
the house. Mrs. Gray, if 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, land to me, Peace!"
She feigned absorption in her work.
.'AIust | remove my shoes?" still
waiting at the door, holding rose in
his outstretched hand.
Come you from Persia?" she que
ried, smiling.
Surely, fair lady, and the rose-'tis
the Persian rose of beauty and of love
Ito you peace offering"
81 suppose you may come in"
grudglngly. Il really want the rose"
"'Tls yours, gentle maiden, likewise
the heart of the Persian
That's not funny" severely.
"Nay, but it's truth
"Ifs a beautiful morning for a
walk in mo trespassing" tone.
"Oh, delightful chilled, but tena-
ciously hopeful. Jack and have been
out looking at houses"
How interestingr
TELL me truly, Peace, what did you
think the other day when / actually
forced old Jack to show his hand, like
wise his hearth"
Il thought" vaguely. intuitively on
the defensive, Il thought you knew
what You were about"
II did," eagerly. Il feared he would
never propose to Edith unless he was
helped, and | was tired of waiting"
"Naiting:" with puzzled interest.
Eyes. You see, | was bound by sa-
cred promise, and l was growing des-
perate"
Il don't understand
1T was like this" pushing the Ro-
man seat nearer the easel and assum-,
ing a nonchalance he was far from
feellng-"you know, It's two years since
Jack and / began calling here at the
Octagon. Judge Graves introduced us
sort of vouched for our responsibility
you may remember
II remember putting fresh colors
on the palette.
"Well, in few weeks Jack discov
cred that he was IN love with Edith. !
knew long before that l was in
Kindly move little, Mr.. Bruce. /
may spatter paint Oh your clothing
coldly polite.
The Roman seat was moved back a
little very little
Thank you. | don't often spatter,
but accident, you know
"M-m, yes. Well, as was saying"
strenuously endeavoring to regain lost
ground, Jack and l '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 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
| 20 on firmly when / told Jack that
| / was In love he said that was all right
| for me- With my wealth / could pro-
| pose at once. and | could be married
within month If / 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, be has now, and | hope they
will be very happy" dismissing the
subject with fnality.
"Oh, they WILL" hurrledIy, "and /
4 told Intellectually made a VOW, in
fact that I'd never breathe a word
/ or
you kept the secret faithfully, Mr.
Bruce. There, don't you like that dra-
perry better:"
never breathe a word Of my at
tachment," doggedly persevering. "un-
til he was in a position to declare his.
And I've kept faith with Jack and
| strict guard over myself for two years.
Now" triumphantly, Il 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 Eyangeline. This Is
your commission. and any changes
Il wish you'd let me finish it." with
apparent surrender.
| Finish tile picture? Why, | didn't
know you could paint"
II 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.
II wish she didn't look so sad"
"You couldn't expect anything else
She cannot fiEd her Gabriel"
'.Sol2e Evapgelines won't look at Ga