The aegis & intelligencer., 1906-05-04


crimson glory of the NAPLES the girPs
golden hair and dull red dress made 8
harmonious picture. Wllfred Clay
artist, brought his wheel to u sudden
| stop, wondering if he ever had seen
anything SO exquisite before. Surely
it was toward this that he had been
| journeying, this wonderful breathing
| picture. Already he mentally planned
the blendings of madder and lakes, of
chromes and yellow. to reproduce the
charm as, steadying his wheel against a
| rock, he climbed the bank
''Is there any place near by where /
can put up for a few days?" he in
| quired, standing bareheaded before the
| vision.
Folks sometimes stay at the farm
houses"
ANY you particularly recommends"
! "NOne," was the laconic answer. The
young fellow laughed, noting the dis
content that dimmed the girls real
| beauty. How about that one?" indi-
| eating a red chimney that showed
among the trees.
II live there. It's no worse than the
rest.
att has attractions that the others
lack" he declared Callantly, but the
compliment flew wide of its aim. 'Will
! you accompany me to present my
| cause?"
Silently the girl acquiesced, keeping
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 a man,
farmer from his dress, who with
switch lashed moodily 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repealed such advances with monoSyl-
lableS. One of her brothers chaffed her
on her i'll humor, arousing her to sharp
retort, whereat he laughed roughly.
Fortunes soured siss temper. Fun
ny how some folks can't stand good
luck"
Later Clay found her leaning against
the trellis where the vines still clung.
II 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. l 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. If
you are in trouble possibly 1 can help
you. I'd like to try"
Winona shook her head Guess no
one can
What about the fellow we metz" A
chance shot, but it made the color
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 for
the rioting splendor Of New England
fall, and-I want you in the shadow Of
the maples-just as you were today"
IF it depends on me you may as well
give up your picture"
1T would mean a good deal to me-"
Il don't hold with SUCH" returned
the girl indifferently and went indoors.
Musing. Clay continued to pull at his
brier. 1t took a good deal to discour-
age him. The subject was an inspira-
tion. 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
photographed Oh his brain-and then
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, |
that he learned the facts.
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 care? Well. |
she supposed that Winona thought she |
did, but she was young enough to have |
q dozen fancieS before coming into con- |
troll Of her money 1t was her duty to |
marry we'll and help her brothers and |
sisters.
I'm told you are not ambitious" re-
marked Clay that evening, causing Wi
mona to flare up Unexpectedly.
Il 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 all men |
when confronted with women's tears. |
But he wanted to help her. Above all |
things he wanted his picture. Impul |
sively he whispered suggestion, a
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 course!" she cried. |
who ever won anything by moping?"
When she retired Clay sat lost in