Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-05-01

And he skillfully threw handIul
Of sawdust as near to her as he
dared.
Keith Webster loved girl whom
he knew was the embodiment Of all
he had been taught to love and rev.
erence in woman.
Sometimes 1t seemed to him that
her hearts best devotion was given
to the worship of art.
Her studio was but few blocl1g
from his office. She was busily gath
ering up her brushes and removing
her apron when he entered the room.
A pleased look lighted her lace
as she caught sight of him, and she
cried quickly:
Keith, I'm so impatient to tell
you Of my legacy / can't wait till
morning; that is why | summoned
you"
Then, anxiousiy looking into his
face again, she added:
Il could have waited, l suppose. /
hope It was rot an Interruption,
Keith? ] meant to have written that
also"
interruption" he exclaimed, inn
patinetiy. Dora, want you to UNI
derstant that my time Is always at
your disposal. Now, tell me all about
your eccentric aunt So she has lett
you some money and is not dead.
Come, sit here and tell mo all about
IT,"
He led her to the table, where a
curious bronze lamp shed soft light
upon an official looking envelope, the
seal Of which he recognized to be
that OF Janette Portland, Doras ec-
centric old aunt, who was living in
Paris at that time.
Listen, Keith, while j read my
aunt's queer letter
sept. 10, 1903.
Dear Niece Dora:
'IIere, right under tho shadow OF
statues and monuments in the house
Of a sculptor, with art in the very at
mosphere, and with Clipped antiques
In all corners of the house, lives your
old aunt Janette.
"And have a lonely time of 1t.
But for the climate, I would never
stay here. The French verbs are
bad enough, but the battle I've had
with cabmen have weakened my con-
stitution.
ut has occurred to me that | can
inaupurate a new fashion In the mat
ter Of bequeathing my money, SO
that | can see for myself the actual
benefit ensuing therefrom. Accord
Ingly depart from hitherto estab-
lished custom, by making my be-
quests before my death.
II propose to place at your dis
posal the sum Of $4,000 to be used
absolutely for one of two purposes.
Mark well the conditions of my be-
quest. They must be observed, or the
money will not be obtainable.
First. The money may go to de-
fray your tuition In Paris, under the
best teachers. In which case, the be-
quest will be doubled when you have
given reasonable proof that you have
talent.
Second. In the event of a con-
tesnplated marriage, within a year
from. this date, the sum OF $4,000 IS
to be appropriately spent In prepar-
ing for said marriage. Should you
refuse both my conditions, ! shall
trouble you no further. Please advise
me by cable, care Of H. Ccnteaux No.
II Rue Ponce de Leon.
jeanette Pentland."
The odd document slipped from
Dora Evans limp fingers. The girl
felt the ardor burning in the eyes of
the man who had loved her ever
since they had been playmates.
At the thought of life without his
love her eyes filled. and there seem
ed to sound in his ears an appealing
note of tenderness as she said, MY
dreams have been of art, you know,
Keith; all my life l have longed to
be an artist"
"Yes," said the man. taking her
hand and clasping It close. Yes, and
my dreams have been OF a home,
with you for it's queen, my wife, ever
since we were childish comrades.
You surely know that. Dora. Which
shall It be. dear2 is it art you love
best or is It me? Which. Dora?"
The girl lifted a shy. happy face,
radiant with love, and whispered: