Smyrna times., 1906-02-21

Soluen nalr and dull red dress made a |
harmonious picture. Wilfred Clay,
artist, brought his wheel to a sudden |
stop. wondering if he ever had seen |
anything so exquisite before. Surely |
1t was toward this that he had been |
~, eying. this wonderful breathing
IRE. Already he mentally planned
g blendings of madden and lakes, of |
cAomes and yellow, to reproduce the
charm as, steadying his wheel against a
rock, he climbed the bank.
'ls there any place near by where l
can put up for few days?" he in
QCired. standing bareheaded before the
vision.
Folks sometimes stay at the farm
houses
Any you particularly recommend%
"Noue" was the laconic answer. The
young fellow laughed, noting the dis
content that dimmed the girls real
beauty How about that one?" indi-
eating Il red chimney that showed
among the trees.
81 live there. It's no worse than the
rest"
att has attractions that the others
lack" he declared gallantly, but the
compliment flew wide of it's aim "WiN
YOU accompany me to present my
cause?"
Silently the girl acquiesce1. keeping
a little in advance; then. suddenly wait
ing for him to join her, she began to
talk rapidly. Her eyes never wavered
from the advancing figure of man, a
farmer from his dress, who with a
switch dashed modify at the goldenrod
and passed without a 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 ease, 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 be
| her name-into conversation, but she
repealed such advances with monosyl-
tables. One of her brothers chaffed her
on her i'll humor, arousing her to sharp
retort. whereat he laughed roughly.
Fortunes soured sis's temper. Fun
ny how some folks can't stand good
1 luck"
4 mo. Lon aftRer aersafN lcyf
the trellis where the vines still chung.
81 congratulate you on being an heir
ess. Independence is not the least gift
that riches confer
The girl raised her head rebelliously
"Why should Aunt Liza give me her
money? l don't want it. hardly ever
saw her and cared less. What right
had she to spoil my life?" Her voice
vibrated with resentment. and low
whistle escaped Clay.
"Truly an unusual view to take. II
you are in trouble possibly ] can helI
YOU. Ia like to try"
Winona shook her head. Guess M
one can
what about the fellow we metz" I
surge painfully to the girls face
though she kept silent.
II stayed over to paint a picture,
: proceeded the artist, abruptly chang
. ing The topic. I'm going to try 70
Tie rioting spendor of a New Englan
fail. and-I want you in the shadow o
the naples-just as you were today"
| ar % sIs,. rxrn
5 give UP your picture"
ut would mean a good deal to me-"
: 81 don't hold with SUCH" returne
y the girl indifferently and went indoors
e Musing. Clay continued to pull at b
brier. 1t took a good deal to discoul
age him. The subject was an inspir;
ton. He would paint now as before b
only dreamed of doing. On the mo
row he would sketch the girl frol
- memory--her pose and coloring wei
photographed on his brain-and the
90 to work on the background.
But as the week passed he foun
himself no nearer his object. Winon
who now conversed on ordinary to
4 les. was dumb when he advanced Il
Y picture. nor did be gain in her con
dence regarding her personal affair
1t was from her mother, Mrs. Eage
that he learned the facts.
y Previous to her aunt's death Winol
\ had .'kept company" local phra
ing for courtship- Keith Adam
10 but there had been no formal engae
Ia ment. for which fact the mother NO
reioiced, as with her improved pre-
poets the girl might do much bette
Mrs. Eager herself had privately q
!, ministered some broad hints re {
piring farmer. which he had re-
" accented. Did Winona oa&
she supposed Il Winoua
10 did. but she was )uni ~
70 a dozen fancies lsfore
troll Of her none Il
marry well and LIP
sisters.
"I'm told you are ne
marked Clay that evenn2