Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-04-24

sketch book. Darrell had said nothing
more concerning feminine artistic abil-
ity. He was struggling with the old
disappointment and with the old love
that. as if the intervening years had
been for nothing, had returned with
redoubed force at the sight of Eliza
beths beauty. She was so dainty, so
merry. so winsome. that Darrell had
never been able to consider her for her
art seriously. She was thing to be
adored and protected and shaved for.
The toll of a profession was ridiculous
considered with Elizabeth.
She sat looking nj him in an inscru-
table sort Of way. You must take me
to the places you want sketched first,
Horace. so that | won't get confused
by seeing too much, else"
They padded slowly up to the foot
of Gray Eagle. .Darrel held the canoe
against the current and looked up at
the magnificent bluff side, whose great
face was deep and cool with pines.
The Mississippi bluffs were new to
Elizabeth. She sat in silence for mo-
ment, looking at the grandeur of river
and shore. Then she began to sketch
rapidly, All the brilliant spring after
noon they padded about In silence for
the most part. Elizabeth slipped her
sketches as rapidly as they were fin
ished into her portfolio, and Darrell dill
not ask to see them. He was grateful
to Elizabeth that she did not rhapso-
die over the scenery. Words were in
adequate and idle here.
At last the girl. with tired little
sigh, slipped the last sketch into her
portfolio. Now, if you will come back
to supper with me we will talk them
over" she said.
They sat on Mrs. Brady's porch just
before sunset, and Elizabeth laid one
of her sketches in Darrers hands. He
gave a little start of surprise. How
had she done it? The Mississippi, calm
swift and deep, in all its potency of
motion; then for miles bluff after bluff
pushing into water, stern. forbidding.
yet lovely; the tenderness of the blue
sky, the softness of ragged clouds
the
Elizabeth said Darrell, and his
voice trembled little. 81 did not know
that you could do this. This is better
than Winston's best work.
Elizabeth looked anxiously into his
face. do you think that?' she said.
Darrell again studied the sketch at
is wonderful" he said. "You have told
more in these few strong brush strokes
than / have in my whole book. Eliza
BETH" wistfully, A'how could you I'M
derstand SO wellT'
Elizabeth clasped her hands softly In
her lap. "Oh, but you see I've read
the book and reread ii, SO | was pre-
pared to see all that you did. The
book was as--as fine and strong as
you are, Horace"
The man rose and walked back and
forth. Elizabeth, can you ever for
give me for being such fool as to be-
little your work? Why, do you know,
l admire Winston's work so much that
was in the seventh heaven when
found that | could get him to do my
illustrating, and your work is far and
away better than his" He turned
toward the girl abruptly. Elizabeth,
why did you Gomez"
"Because''-the girl looked up at him
bravely-"I wanted to see you again,
and She paused.
"And?' suggested Darrell.
"And when you asked for Winston
i was glad to come. | always sign
my work Winston. 1t is my middle
name, you know"
Darrell drew her close to him. "But
your 'art?" he questioned.
81 wanted to see if a woman
could" she whispered.
"And a woman always SHALL" he
said. Winston shall illustrate all
my books"