The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-29
WINSTON'S WORK.
BY HONORE WHILST.

AlOlNON
The sun was just rising behind the
bluffs. when Darrell stroIled out onto the
veranda Of the bungalow. The east
shore Of the Mississippi was stlll dark and
gray with night shadows, but toward the
dim line of Minnesota the water was
liquid crimson.
Darrell. fine strong figure in his bath
ing trunks, shivered as he paused 10 look
at the familiar beauty Of the great river
Then he took a breath that swelled his
deep chest and plunged with great bounds
down the bluffside 10 the river far be-
meath. When he returned, red and drip
ping. Jim. his darkey factotum, was
setting the breakfast table on the veran-
da, and ia a snort time Darrell was drink
ing his coffee and looking out at the ten
der spring green OF the midstream islands.
II was for over a year now that he had
piqued the curiosity Of the natives" by
living alone on the bluffside. Two isolated
facts. however. known TO the gossips. aC-
counted for all his eccentricities. Darrell
was writer and a New Yorker They
called him surly. They could not know
that he was merely readjusting his life
long theory Of married happiness. They
could not know that ne was merely fight
ing To recover his oId-time buoyancy that
had left him that spring morning when
Elizabeth had told him that she was going
to devote her life not to him, but to her
art
Darrell sighed. then rose, abruptly.
Jim, ne said, Mr.. Winston may come
to-day. so you had better watch the bend
sharply about noon.
''Yessah."
And YOU may as well fix up the guest
room this morning"
Jim looked around at the simple fur
nishings of the porch and living room
jim had served barrels father.
and had privileges.
Am Mr. Winston very particular,
sab?"
Darrell smiled. Il don't know. Jim.
The publishers are sending him out 10
get illustrations for my book. This will
have to do" And he swung down the
bluffside 10 the little pier, where was
tied "A string of canoes and skiffs. He
jumped into a canoe, and was of down
the river with beautiful long strokes Of
the paddle that told OF many hours spent
on the water. In fact it was from the
hours spent on this river that Darrers
book had grown. He had written it I'm a
fervor OF enthusiasm over the wonders
OF the Mississippi. and the publishers had
received it joyfully Darel had found a
new field
The noon train drew slowly up to the
station platform. and Darrell turned away
IN disappointment But one MESSENGER
alghted, and that was a woman. He
glanced back once more To make sure
that he was not mistaken. Then he
matted. There was something very IA
miiiar about the slender. welI-dressed fig
ure standing hesitaungly at the far end
of the platform. Suddenly the girl moved
toward him.
oh, Horace - she cried.
Yes, Elizabeth. he REPLIED ouietIr &C
If they had not parted over a year ago.
Wen aren't YOU glad to see me?" |
brightly And what are you going to do !
with me-"
Il don't know" said Darrell to both
questions. What brought YOU here
Elizabeth? ."
the girl looked into his face. with her
candid blue eyes full of wonder
Why, Horace. didn't they send YOU
word that / was coming?"
They? Who are they? barrels /
fingers were trembling little.
Mr.. Tompkins, your publisher"
Darrel sat down heavily on a truck. |
Then rose. They wrote me that tbev /
We're going to send Winston You-you /
know my old prejudice. Elizabeth
EliZabeth's beautiful mouth twitched
and her eyes twinkled. You have al /
ways said that a woman could do only |
pretty work. That she could put no |
strength into her sketches. Come. Horace |
you are not very hospitable. are you?"
Darrel was himself again. instantly. /
You see. l could have put up Winston. 1
but I am going to take you to Mrs. |
BRADY, who will be glad 40 have a pay /
ing guest.
That afternoon Elizabeth sat I'm the |
canoe facing Darrell. In her lap was a /
sketch book. Darrell had said nothing /
more concerning feminine artistic ability /
He was struggling with the old disap- /
poinument and with the old love that. as /
if the intervening years had been for /
nothing, had returned with redoubled 4
force at the sight OF Elizabeth's beauty /
She was so dainty, so merry, so winsome 1
ltldN DdIESl lau never NeHn ADIe 10 con- I
si6er her for her art, seriously She was 4
a thing TO he adored and protected and /
shaved for. The toll of a profession was 4
ridiculous considered with Elizabeth.
She sat looking AZ him in an inscruta- /
bic sort of way. you must take me To 4
the places you want sketched, first |
Horace. so that / won't get confused by 4
seeing too much else"
They padded slowly up TO the foot of /
Gray Eagle. Darrell held the canoe against /
the current and looked up at the mag /
nifcent blu1Sde, whose great face was /
deep and cool with pines. The Mississippi 1
bluffs were new to Elizabeth. She sat in /
silence for moment, looking at the /
grandeur of river and shore. Then she 4
began to sketch rapidly. All the brilliant 1
spring afternoon they padded about: in 4
silence, for the most part Elizabeth J