The daily Alaskan., 1905-07-12
AURORA'S MODEL

net stood near one of the windows, and quaint brasses, candlesticks, lenders and copper kettles were everywhere. There were orderly disorder and rest ful chaos.
 Under the wide north light sat AurO- ra before an easel her hair bristling with an imposing array of scalpelS and brushes. On the canvas before her an autumn landscape was slowly com ins Into being. The landscape was not developing satisfactorily, and the seal pels were being pressed into service quite as much as were the brushes.
 The door opened. and Paul Radford entered. He stood apOlogetically by the door, smiling blandly at the girl before the easel
 Hello, Aurora~ said he with a meekness becoming an intruder.
 Come In and shut the door" said Aurora. "Nou must sit down and be very quiet. This is my busy day"
 Radford tossed his coat and hat upou-a divan, thrust his hands into his pockets and strode over to the easel
 "Jove, Aurora. that's a stunning ma rine!" he observed
 Its not a marine" Sah she tcStily; tits landscape, autumn"
 "Ohr' said he. Isn't that water in the foregromdy'
 That" said Aurora, scraping an overiOne cloud zealouSly, will be a COW when it's finished"
 "I beg the cows pardon, I'm sure !" said RadTord. "I hope it's to be a rcd COW, Aurora. I'm very partial to red COWS"
 Please sit down" she snapped im- patiently, "Youu find some maga- zines somewhere about" she ended vaguely
 Sorry, but I haven't time to look for them" he said. "BcSidcs, | came here this afternoon to offer myself as a model"
 "A model for whaty" she asked. "Indolencey"
 "A model Of sorrow" said he.
 "You don't look your part particu- larly," she remarked.
 I'm consumed with it." he declared gloOmny.
 How sady' she said mccklngly,
 Radford retired to a divan in the corner and settled comfortably on a pile of cushions.
 If you could transfer my sorrow to canvas, your name would be made, |" he said.
 Since when has this afIlictioR de scended upon youy" she asked
 since Tuesday afternoon at 4.S0.'
 "Pshawv' said Aurora, her eyes fixed on the landscape,
 "It's no pshawing' matter with me ,'' said he. Your sixth refusal has filled me with gloom"
 Perhaps a seventh might hearten you a bit" she suggested mahciously.
 ''There'n probably be seventh be fore l leave" he returned Respondent g.
 Aurora laughed; then she turned about in her chair and regarded him gravely.
 Paul why on earth can't you be sensibley' she asked. "Why can't you be good friends with me without-Oh, spelling 1t ally
 "NIy dear Aurora" he explained sol emnly, If Providence had intended men to be sensible in your presence, he would never have given you that chin and those lips and"-
 "Boshr' said Aurora, colOring a bit Radford deserted the divan and came over to the easel He stood for time looking down at the girl thOughtfully.
 "Tn make a compact with you" he said at length. Tell me for the sev- enth time that you won't marry me, and I'll sec to it that it is the last"
 And we'll be friends ever afterY she said lightly.
 'No, we won't be friends" be said, except in name"
 She shrugged her shoulders, but said nothing.
 Listen, Aurora. Just say No once more. and Tn take myself of. l won't trouble you after that. I'll leave you to your landscapes eS-and-and-the fel- low who is luckier than l.
 She looked up. His face was very grave. It was unlike him to be seri- ous. She felt a trifle alarmed
 "Now, Aurora" he said quietly, tell me for the seventh time, and Tn go"
 Aurora made a pretenSe of retouch- lng the cloud.
 "I am waiting" he said patiently.
 Stin she said nothing, Radford pick cd up his hat and coat, Then he again took hls stand by the easel.
 "Are you gOingyn she said weakly.
 "As soon as you tell me" said he.
 Aurora arose deliberately from the easel She went over to the window and began to clean her palette with scalpeL Radford watched her, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.