The Carlisle independent., 1907-03-14

was barely enough light for her to make out the boldly lettered name upon Cartons door. She tapped it softly-the futtering of birds wing would have made hardly less noise.
 Come in!"
 Before she realized it, the door was swung open, letting a flood of light into the hall and framing the figure of Richard Carton, painter-a tall, broad-chested man, built big and 1.-the ly who stood upon his feet squarely, with the bearing of self-confidence.
 "Well?" Carton asked, looking down at her coolly, curiously.
 MT. Carton?" she responded with a question, to which he bowed affirma- tion. IT am Mrs. Thorne."
 The name of course meant nothing to him; Carton saw only the slight, almost willowy figure, clothed in shab- by black, and the soft pallor of her face, framed largely in the mass Of her hair, very dark and shot with metallic tresses, bronZe-colored-such a crowning glory as is most delightful to paint But perhaps he saw only the big, dark eyes, and read in them their pleading message. At any rate, his manner became more kindly.
 ''Oh, yes. Mrs. Thorne. You want to pose? Won't you come in?" He invited her to enter, cou'teously. Il have been looking for good model for some time. I think you will do splendidly.''
 rnf int n CnmnhnW dumbly, in tumult of emotions-of relief. strangely allied with some chagrin, that he had not recognized her; of modification because of pov erty's Haunting signals in her attire. Well, it was bread for The Boy, at least
 Upon the model-stand-a low wood en affair some five or six feet in dia- meter-she was aware of an assured isolation. Had Mrs. Thorne been chair or a table she felt that Cartons interest in her would have been of the same nature, of no less and no greater intensity.
 It is the artists attitude to his model; but at times she found herself resenting it duly. She had come reg ularly now every afternoon for over a week
 As for Carton, she felt that she would have known him anywhere. just as she had been startled by the unchanged quality of his voice, by the timbre of his footfall, after so long time. How long? Could it be only eight years since he left their native village to study his art; but seven since her marriage, only four since her husbands death, which had left her, with The Boy, dependent upon her own exertions, penniless and without friends?
 Once Carton asked her advice about some small detail of a tea he pro- posed giving.
 I'm afraid she told him, that I have been out of the social life for so long a time that I would hardly know"
 It seemed to Mrs Thorne that something frightened suddenly about her heart. There was, then, woman to be present, whom he desired to please!
 "Oh well, it's slight matter, after all. Only I wanted everything to be just so. Women are particular, you know"
 And his transformations invitation to tea she was careful to decline, al though on the afternoon following the function she could not refrain from asking, archly, Did she like it?''
 "She?" Carton echoed the word in alarm Mrs. Thorne saw the color rise to his forehead; she thought his manner confused, boyish, ardent "She? I didn't know I mentioned-'
 You didn't" she hastened to reas- sure him; but women-old married women like myself-feel privileged to have munitions, you know" She fin ished with little laugh, that even to her ears rang hollow.
 Yes" he assented, T suppose so." (At least he might have contradicted that phrase, ''old married women!") 'You-you're right" he stammered; and then his face fell, as did her hopes, which she had based on his ex- pected denial But she didn't come flor some reason
 But she will?''
 "Oh, yes, I'm sure she will!" He vas quite too enthusiastic.
 He seized his brush, and began to slap paint upon the canvas furiously.
 Indeed"
 "A fellow likes to confide in some one, you know, Mrs. Thorne" He fidgeted, very ill at ease. We've are to be married next week"
 Married? You? Next week?" She