Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-06-08
Painting %
Wlncna
BY ETHEL HARRINGTON
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Copyright, 1905. BY MoClurs, philips a 90.

anything so exquisite before, Surely
1t was toward this that he had been
journeying, this wonderful breathing
picture. Already he mentally planned
the blendings Of madden and lakes, of
chromes and. yellow, to reproduce tho
charm as. steadying his wheel aGainat a
rock, he climbed the bank.
'Is there any place near by where
can put UP for q few daysT he In
quired, standing bareheaded before the
vision. h
"Folks sometimes stay at the farm
houses"
"Any you particularly recommend%
'None," was the laconic answer. The
young fellow laughed, noting the dis
content that dimmed the girls real
beauty. GLOW about that onef" indi-
eating q red chimney that showed
among the trees. IS " i - u
81 live there. It's no worse than the
rest"
at has attractions that the others
lack" he declared CALAMITY, but the
compliment flew wide OF its aim. "Wili
you accompany me to present my
causep a.5.
Silently the girl acQuiesced. keeping
a little in advance; then. suddenly walt
ing for him to Join her. she began to
talk rapidly. Her eyes never wavered
from the advancing figure of a man, a
farmer from his dress, who with
switch dashed modify at the goldenrod
and passed without word, the rising
color above the loose collar alone be-
traying his consciousness Of their pres
ence After he had gone the girl fell
again into silence.
She left the artist on the wide porch
and sent her mother to interview the
stranger. Clay promptly accepted the
terms and was soon smoking In home
like case, wondering how he might
persuade the girl to let him paint her,
his fingers already itching to be at
work.
During supper. which he shared with
the family. Clay endeavored to draw
Winona-he had discovered that to DO
her name--into conversation, but she
repealed such advances with monosyl-
tables One of her brothers chaffed her
on her Ill humor, arousing her to sharp
retort, whereat he laughed roughly.
Fortunes soured sis's temper. Fun
NY how some folks can't stand good
luck" sf
Later Clay found her leanin. -"N''
the trellis where the vines still d"
'T congratulate you on being an heir
ess. Independence IL not the least gift
that riches confer"
The girl raised her head rebelliously
"Why should Aunt Liza give me her
money? don't want It. hardly ever
saw her and cared less. Whit right
had she to spoil my lifeT Her voice
vibrated with resentment, and low
whistle escaped Clay.
Truly an unusual view to take. II
you are in trouble possibly can help
you. I'd like to try"
Winona shook her head. Guess no
one can"
what about the fellow we metT A
chance shot but 1t made the color
surge painfully TO the girls face,
though she kept silent.
~ stayed over to paint u picture"
proceeded the artist, abruptly chang
ing the topic Pm going to try for
the rioting splendor of New England
fall, and--I want you IN the shadow Of
the naples Just MS you were today"
"If 1t depends on me you may as well
give up your picture"
at would mean good deal to me-"
81 don't hold with SUCH" returned
the girl indifferently and went indoors.
Musing, Clay continued to pull at his
brier. II took good deal to discour-
age him. The subject was an inspira-
ton He would paint now as before he
only dreamed Of doing. On the NOR
row he would sketch the girl from
memory--her pose and coloring were
go to work on the background.
But as the week passed he found
himself no nearer his object. Winona,
who now conversed on ordinary top
les, was dumb when he advanced the
picture. nor did he gain in her conf
dence regarding her personal affairs.
1t was from her mother, Mrs. Eager,
tnut ne learned the TactB.
Previous to her aunt's death Winona
had kept company"-the local phras-
ing for courtship with Keith Adams,
but there had been no formal engage
ment, for which fact the mother now
reJoiced, as with her improved pros
poets the girl might do much better.
Mrs Eager herself had privately ad-
ministered some broad hints to the as
piring farmer, which he had apparent
ly accepted. Did Winona carer Well,
she supposed that Winona thought she
did, but she was young enough to have
a dozen fanci0s before coming into con-
troll Of her money. It was her duty to
marry well and help her brothers and
sisters.
"Pm told you are not ambitious" re-
marked Clay that evening, causing WI
mona to fare up Unexpectedly.
II want nothing but to be let alone.
If had the money now I'd give 1t to
you-to any one-who'd go away and
never let me hear Of IT again." Her
voice choked suddenly, and, covering
her face, she sobbed with an abandon
and passion that Clay never had seen
before.
He felt uncomfortable, like oil men
when confronted with women's tears.
But he wanted to help her. Above all
things he wanted his picture. Impul-
sively he whispered a suggestion, O
hint for their mutual benefit. At first
she made no sign Of having heard, but
little by little she grew calm and as
he finished caught eagerly at his hands.
You are right, Of coursep she cried.
"Who ever won anything by mopingT
When she retired Clay sat lost In
meditation "It's playing with fire. but
the pictures worth IT," was his verdict.
From that night the girls demeanor
changed. During the long autumn days
she posed for the painter beneath the
naples and chatted .gaZlx, with him at
dusk on the Iporcb hptz nza. WHARF