The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-10-01


From the Sea- Don't you think she
looks we'll the part? May introduce
myself? 1 am Eltham-Jack Ethan,
of the Glasgow School"
II have heard your name, Mr.. Elt-
ham," sne said with a frank smile.
Il. too, am a student of that school.
Ny name is Leslie Maynard"
Then we should be friends, Miss
Maynard What say you to dividing
the spoil-you to take the head. with
full choice of hours, and 1 to retain
the waltz"
On. / couldn't be so selfish as to
agree to that and so spoil your work"
she exclaimed hastily. Il am only a
| beginner, and Baby Barron would be
quite tired out with two sittings in
one day"
Then suppose we paint together
and interchange ideas?' he suggested
eagerly. Two heads, you know"
Leslie Maynard hesitated for some
moments.
1T is very generous of you to put
it that way" she said with a little
smile. But if you wish it, /"
the ayes have it, Miss Maynard, 8"
he broke in laughingly. "And Wen
pass now, with your permission, to
the next order of the day." He
| turned quickly TO Baby Barron, who
had been watching the scene with
! gravely observant eyes.
How would you like a new frock
"a new frock with frills and lace,
Baby Barron, to have your portrait
taken in by your pity lady?'
A sudden light came into the big
blue eyes, but she said nothing.
And socks" he continued eagerly.
! brown ones and little brown shoes?"
Still Baby Barron said nothing.
! Only she passed her hands slowly
over the frayed brown frock and
/ glanced down meditatively at the
crinkled, cavernous boots
And a sash, too-a big blue sash
round your waist, Baby Barron?" he
added hastily.
A slow smile overspread her face.
-, She nodded vigorously as the smile
reached the deep blue eyes, which
shone like twin stars.
You shall have them, tben-to-
morrow. perhaps. Now, what do you
say?"
With a quantity demure gravity
| Baby Barron put her soft little grub
by hand into his, looking up to him
with simple childlike winsomeness.
Jack Ethan lifted her up in his arms
and left on her cheek q soft kind of
baby caress.
The friendship thus oddly insti-
! fnfnd hA
grew and deepened daily. In Leslie
Maynard Jack Ethan speedily recog-
nized kindred soul In the art they
both loved.
Insensibly on Jack Eltham's side
friendship deepened and passed into
a richer, stronger feeling. And she
to Leslie Maynard those days were
strangely sweet. Though she hardly
dare acknowledge, even to herself,
the true cause, yet in her innermost
heart she felt and knew it. She
hoped he would forget her-that
promise of one short year ago, so hur-
riedly and wildly, yet so solemnIy
given, would ever obtrude itself; yet
even as she hoped she took a pleasure
in doubling. For she was a woman.
and very young one, withal.
In the stern cf a boat that lay al
most Smotionless in the soft slap, lap
ping Of the incoming tide in the
drowsy hush of the summer day.
Leslie Maynard reclined, her left
hand playing with the tiller the little
figure of Baby Barron, e-great tiger
lily clutched tight in her ,hands.sand
a look of solemn content In the large
blue eyes, curled up beside her. .Op-
posite the two, on one of the cross
thwarts, sat Jack Ethan.
isn't it too perfect for words?"
said the girl softly, breaking a long
silence that neither had noted, her
glance wandering shoreward, where
cleaning white in the sun the quaint
sea girt Brighton Of the North Law
nesting at the feet of low forested
hills, over whose crest the pine trees
hung like a dark green cloud. Il
shall be so sorry to leave it all. II
am goins away tomorrow" a faint.
hesitating note in her voice.
Going away Tomorrow" Jack
Ethan could only repeat her words
DULY.
Yes; must go. My holiday is
up" she almost whispered. Il was
harder far, this parting, than she had
thought. The sudden stricken look
In the eyes of the man before her had
thrilled her with the keenest pain:
I But your picture-it is not yet
finished" he stammered in reply.
Why are you leaving SO suddenly?"
+ She was silent, but her eyes met
his gaze with look of strange appeal
in their depths.
Tell me, Miss Maynard-Leslie-
| claim right to know-the right OF
Zone who loves .you.S he. insisted
tgently.E "You must know-you must
have seen it. Tell me, may l hope
some day-yon Will'1etnrn it?g
Don't, dofist,s, she. cried piteously,