The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-04-07
ONLY A LOAN.
BY A. E. Anderson.
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Nan Kendall held her pretty brown
head on one side and critically ex-
amined the picture which she had
just finished.
eyes" she said, with self-satis-
fed dimpling smile, Il think it will
pass muster, mother, dear. Confess,
now, that l managed those bits Of
sunlight and shade with the skill OF
an old master! And am not repre-
sented 'as large as life,'. only more
so?"
And what shall you call it, dear?"
asked Mrs. Kendall, fair, brown
haired widow, who looked very like
her daughter.
"sUnder the Lilacs,' think. It
doesn't look very modest, suppose,
to paint oneself, but, in the dearth of
models, was compelled to do So"
Gas if prettier model could be
desired!" exclaimed Mrs. Kendall,
with motherly pride.
II shall go to London with it my
SELF" said Nan, "and make-oh, ever
SO much money on it, mother dear!
Then we shall have new carpet. for
this one., though almost hidden by
rugs, is undeniably shabby. And l
shall get my piano tuned, and buy
those new waltzes Hetty spoke about
last week, and-and I'm sure don't
know what else"
Don't build too many air castles,
Nannette," said her mother, warning
ly, "for you may be disappointed.
after ALL
But brave little Nannette's hope
fulness was not dashed in the least;
she had worked so long on this pic
ture, and had been so painstaking.
Surely in the great city, ten miles
away, there must be someone who
would admire and buy it.
Not quite a week later Mr.. Curtis
Van Tassels sauntered listlessly into
one Of the West End cafes toward
dusk, and settled himself. with a dis
satisfied sigh, at one Of the numerous
small tables, covered with whitest,
softest damask, and glittering with
silver.
Business had been unutterably dull
during the past week, and Mr.. Van
Tassels' affairs had suffered more
than a little. Hence his unwonted
perturbation of mind.
So preoccupied was he that he did
not notice he had a vis-a-vis till cot
fee and rolls had been brought him.
The cloud lifted suddenly from his
handsome forehead, and he glanced
with deep interest at the girl opposite
him-Nannette Wendall herself. Cur
tbs thought 1t was one of the most
beautiful faces he had ever seen
exquisite. in it's modelling, perfect in
Its contour. Her eyes looked sad and
disappointed, as If ready to drop
tears.
Yes, Nan had met with great dis
appointment. She had been unable
70 dispose of the picture round which
her hopes had conferred so long, and
now she must return home even poor
er than before.
She had walked about London all
day, not quite despairing of success,
until the approach of evening. Then,
fearful lest her mother might be anx-
ious. she had left the picture at a
kindhearted print sellers, who had
promised to sell it for her, If possible.
She had decided to take the five
o'clock train; but she had missed 1t,
and now even her brave heart quailed
little at thought of riding home
alone at night.
Faint for lack of food. she had en-
tered the cafe, never dreaming she
was guilty of extravaganza unparal-
leled, as it was one of the most fash
ionable and expensive restaurants in
the West End.
Her repast finished Nan put her
hand into her pocket for her purse.
The next moment she uttered an ex-
clamation of terror and dismay.
Her purse and money were both
gone!
Her waiter stood beside her with
outstretched hand, faint smile OF
increduality on his smooth counte-
nance. People who could not find
their purses were by no means rare.
But | have lost it," faltered poor
Nan, pale and trembling with terror
and distress, cor else someone has
stolen it from me-my purse. with a
sovereign in it."
Curtis Van Tassels had heard every
word. He looked at Nan critically,
and at the same tine sympathetical-
ly.
A brilliant idea came to him.
STOPPING down. quick as thought he