River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-03-30
A Sepia Sketch
By GEORGIA BEAGLE


n
II Miss sastwick's cloak fell to
the floor, and bending forward in her
shimmering satin gown she kissed the
pictured face before her.
1t was a ceremony gone through
every night, as it had been for the last
ten years. la the early days, with
silent tears, in layender-scented attic;
now electric liga was switched on inthe
big studio in Washington, where Har-
ry Lawtons picture hung in its silver
frame to inspire the pasteis and dainty
miniatures which had brought Isobel
Eastwick fame
Ten years ago young Lawton had
sailed for South America, vowing, as
soon as he had a home to Offer her, to
return and claim Isobel's promise to
wait for him
Miss Eastwick was nothing if not
constant-nothing if not fanciful, her
friends said, though they did not guess
at the romance Of her life, and she had
cherished the memory OF those promises
and the hope that one day her lover
would return.
Paul Maitland was one of the few
people who knew the whole story, and
in spite of that he had asked her to
marry him.
The question had grieyed Miss East
wick's soul. 1t seemed to be reflec-
ton on her constancy, and she was not
a little afraid that this unexpected de-
yelopment might end their friendship.
But he had spoken strongly-a great
deal too strongly-on the subject of
wasted affections, pink-and-white boys.
and so forth-he who was really impos-
sible ugly. And yet
AS though to convince herself of his
impossibility, Miss Eastwick picked up
a sepia sketch of mans head-it was
an ugly face, with the determined jaw
and deep-set eyes-and laid it for mo-
ment beside the water color in its dainty
silver frame. She laughed; the contrast
was too funny
Miss Eastwick stood painting in her
studio before an easel, making the most
of the early spring sunshine. The
many successful portraits at last years
exhibitions had brought her more work
than she could do and she rose early
and labored hard for love of her art.
Paul Maitland had sometimes brought
his fiddle and played to her in the after
Moons when her visitors had depart
ed, but to-day he had not come, and
she missed his dark ugly face, his deep,
refined voice expressing her own half
formed, wholly inexpressible thoughts.
All! there was a knock. 1t must be
4
because she could not marry him.
faint, becoming blush rose to her cheek.
Yes, it was mans tread coming up
stairs, but not Maitland's, surely!
This was heavier And this red-faced,
red-bearded man, with meaningless
light eyes! Who could he be? Who?
And then in moment she knew.
Harry"
my gracious! what elegant quarters!
Belle, you are peach!"
A twang that might have been cut
with knife!
Miss Eastwick was speechless She
glanced from the uncompromising
figure on the hearth rug to the water
color on the wall, and only a sickening
dread that he had come to claim her
promise kept her from bursting into
uncomfortable laughter at the shatter-
ing of her idol.
I've times and times seen your name
in the illustrated papers we've had in
Lima" he was saying, painting daugh-
ters and wives of millionaires,
duchesses and lords, and even
royal princess. Haven't the boys stared
when I've told them how you and
were going to be married when my ship
came I'M"
You spoke Of me like that" Miss
Eastwick thought; "and it was for you
that sent away Paul! And thought
it mattered what man looked like!"
You're an elegant little woman
enough" Mr. Lawton continued, conde-
scendingly. Eliza, now, is different
build of a woman Would make three
of you!"
Who could Eliza be?
She was a bit jealous of you, can
say. I've often laid it on how pretty
and dainty you were, to rile her; but
I'd always bring her round by telling
how. if I'd married you, we'd have been
sitting on spindle-legged chairs reading
In Memoriam or some such twaddle,
aud Eliza'd feel mighty pleased with
herself"
A great content had come upon Miss
Eastwick.
Eliza is your wife Is she rot with
your"
"You bet! Eliza wouldn't give up the