Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-02-02
A Dream and
The Waking
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

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And, there in the midst of chat
tering, fashionably clad throng stood
Mary, pink checked, smiling and talk
ing intimately about art; Mary in
strange aesthetic array, with the
train of her clinging gown coiled SER
pentwise about her feet and rose
tucked behind her dainty ear
Could she be that demure, shrink
ing country girl Robert had escorted
to rural dances four years ago?
Evidently the painting under con-
sideration was the work of Mary's
hands. It was the portrait of an
amazingly tall reed like woman whose
scanty draperies seemed in imminent
danger of slipping off altogether. Ro-
bert looked from Mary to the picture
and back several times before his be
wiIdered conscience grasped the signi-
dcant fact Of her artistic achievement.
Then. quite suddenly, Mary turned and
saw him.
"Why. Robert Nearing!" she cried
with Infeigned delight, going forward
with outstretched hands. Robert,
indeed, I'm very glad to see you, real
"! These festive friends come in to
look at my pictures and drink to my
health now and then" she explained
iauntily. To the listening group she
said: This is an old friend from
home. Robert Nearing, of Mapleton.
How are you, Robert?" she went on,
cordially. Have you come to stay
in town?"
AS a matter of fact Robert had
come to town solely to see Mary, but
he did not tell her so just then.
"Of course, you'll stay for little
chat about home folks she insisted,
"I live here with Miss Gilbert, my
rival in art, and being good b.
hemians we got on swimmingly TO-
gether."
Robert stayed after the silken
thrOng had flutered out. Mary lit the
pink draped lamp on the little stand
with its half enptied wine glasses
drew up an easy chair, and seated
herself where the light fell rOsily on
her pretty, smiling face. She asked
all manner of questions about the
ola 1IlClUS anu uCl u 49, -
fostered her orphaned childhood win
parental tenderness.
Robert was a man of fine character,
s5ternIy upright, and sweet natured,
bat slow of speech and singularly re
served. He had loved Mary IN pa
tent silence for six years, during
which his secret hopes had helped him
through much toll and disappointment.
Now that the realization of his am
bition had given him the right TO
speak. there was another man In ms
light-a man against whom he mad
not the shadow of a chance.
Are YOU engaged to marry him."
ne asked presently, in hard, con-
strained voice that quite startled
Mary.
"Oh. no. dear" she laughed. We're
chums-good fellows. He is a writer
and like most of the tribe, poor and
charming. He writes stories ABOUT
me and poses for my sketches. Neither
OF US thinks of marriage. We nave
talked the question all over and come
to a sensible conclusion"
"And you've given up the idea OF
marrying?" Robert asked.
Mary nodded and bit eff the tip OF
the bud she toyed with.
4 don't like the idea of you living
this way. Mary" said the young fell
low. inyoluntarily glancing at the wine
glasses.
That is because Of your absurdly
.one-sided view of things" she laugh
ed. good naturally. 1t is great fun,
sealIv. 1t spoils one for the humdrum
life Of the old-fashioned woman
"That is just why / object to it. Id
rather see you happily married and
settled down in what you call num-
drum life than living as you do here.
Couldn't you paint as well, even i
you were married."
Dear. no" said Mary, very posi-
lively. with laugh at the absurdlty
of such a thought. Marriage spolls
art. But what of yourself, Robert!
Why don't you take your own advice
and settle down"
Because" said Robert gravely.
s'There is only one girl in the world
to NE. and she don't want me-"
The smile died out of Mary'S eyes
momentarily.
I'm so sorry, Robert" she said
simply. Her eyes strayed inadvertent-
" to the picture in his hand, and she
wondered vaguely if she was the only
woman in the world to Ted Hartley.
IF she should even change her
mind she will find me unchanged.
think she knows that, although
have never told her so. have loved
her a good many years, and always
will love her but-well, it was not
to be. That's all"
Then Mary understood in flash OF
regretful comprehension.
That night Hartley called with the
proofs of a story which he wanted