Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-09-14

nearly All MS HE, ana MS great dream
was that he was an artist. he couldn t
draw haystack, and certainly could
not have colored IL correctely even II
! by chance he had drawn it. But he
artist, and he fancied that his land
| transformed to the canvas the scenes
which he attempted TO paint, and he
was not unhappy. His wife had died
when Leslie was a mite OF thing. and
hod he had managed to get on until
Leslie grew old enough to take care OF
him can never be surmised. But she
began to play the mother. the guardian
and protector to this visionary father
Of hers at an extremely early age She
managed everything, almost fed and
clothed him, and kept him from all
those petty ills and worries which
make life such a burden for most peo-
pie. They had no setued home, but
wandered about, sometimes on the con
tinent, but usually in England; and
| Francis Leslie had hundreds or
sketches which were like nothing un.
der heaven, but were supposed to 20
ideas" for larger pictures of places
they had visited,
They had been at Portmaris a couple
of months when we find them, and
though Francis Lisle was just begin
ming to get tired of 1t, and restlessly
anxious to be on the move again, Les
lie was loath to leave. She had
grown fond Of the golden sands, the
strip of pretty beach, the narrow
street broken by its wind-twisted trees,
the green lanes leading to the coun-
try beyond, and still more fond of the
supplemented fisher-folk, who always
welcomed her with a smile and had
already learned to call her Miss Les,
lie."
Indeed, Miss Leslie was a danger
Gus young woman, and the hearts of
Young and old, gentle and simple, went
down before a glance Of the gray-blue
eyes, smile from the mobile lips, a
word from the voice which thrilled
with a melody none could resist.
Francis Isle went on daubing, his
head on one side, a rapt, concentrated
look on his pale, aristocratic face.
Yes this is going to be one OF my
best efforts" he said, with pleased
complacency. Go and sing something,
Leslie. can always work better
while you are singing. Music and
painting are twin sisters. adore
them both"
Leslie went back TO the piano with
that peculiarly graceful motion OF hers,
and touched a note or two.
Were there no letters is morn,
ing, dear" she asked.
Letters ?'-Lisle put his hand to his
forehead as II rudely called back to the
earth from the letters?
Moves. forgot. There was one; 1t
was from Ralph"
Leslie turned her head slightly, ana
the rather thick brows, which uelped
the eyes In all their unconscious mis-
chief, Strengthened.
From Ralph? What does he say?"
Il don't know" replied Isle blank
ly. 4 can never read Ralph's letters,
he writes so terribly plain hand Its
hardness jars upon me. have 1t
somewhere" He searched his peck.
cts. mo- | mUst have lost it. Does
1t matter very much?"
Leslie laughed softly.
Il don't know; but one generally
likes to know what Is in a letter"
We'll, then, wish could find 1t.
! told the postman when he gave it to
me that | should probably lose 1t, and
that he had better bring 1t on to the
house; but-well, don't think he Urn.
derstood me. | often think that we
speak an unknown language to these
country people"
Perhaps he did not hear you, Some
times, you know, dear, you think you
have SPOKEN when you have not ut
tered word, but only thought"
Il dare say. Now | come to think of
It. ! fancy Ralph said he was coming
down here"
The slender white hands, which .lao
been touching the keys carelessly,
stopped.
Coming here, papa?"
yes, think so: | am not sure.
Now, what could have done with
that letter."
He made another search, failed to
find It, shook his head as If Diminishing
the subject, and resumed his work"
Leslie struck chord and opened her
lips to sing, when the sound of wheels
belonging to the one fly in the place
came down the uneven street She
paused to listen, then leaned sideways
ana looked through the window.
THE station fly" she said and it
has stopped ut Marine villa. Papa, 1t
must be another visitor. Fancy two
visitors ut the same time in Portmaris,
II will go wild with excitement"
The cranky vehicle had pulled up at
the opposite cottage, and Leslie, with
mild-very mild-curiosity, got up
from the piano and went To the win