Graham guardian., 1908-05-29
Painting
Wlnona
BY ETHEL HARRINGTON
Copyright, 1905, bu Mcclure, Phillips & Co,

anything so exquisite Defore. surely
It was toward this that he had beer
journeying, this wonderful breathing
picture. Already he mentally planned
the blendings Of madder and lakes, Of
chromes and yellow, to reproduce the
charm as, steadying his wheel against a
rock, he climbed the bank.
"Is there any place near by where
can put up for few days?" he in
uuired, standing bareheaded before the
vision.
Folks sometimes stay at the farm
houses
"Any you particularly recommendT
"None," was the laconic answer. The
young fellow laughed noting the dis
content that dimmed the girls real
beauty. ''How about that onef' indi.
eating red chimney that showed
among the trees.
81 live there. It's no worse than the
rest"
ut has attractions that the others
lack" he declared gallantly, but the
compliment flew wide Of its aim. "Will
you accompany me to present my
causew
Silently the girl acquiesced, keeping
little In advance; then, suddenly wait.
Ing for him to join her, she began to
talk rapidly. Her eyes never wavered
from the advancing figure of a man,
farmer from his dress, who with
switch lashed moodily at the goldenrod
and passed without word, the rising
color above the loose collar alone be-
traylng his consciousness Of their pres
ence. After he had gone the girl fell
again into silence.
She left the artist on the wide porch
and sent her mother to interview the
stranger. Clay promptly accepted the
terms and was soon smoking in home
like ease, wondering how he might
persuade the girl to let him paint her,
his fingers already itching to be at
work.
During supper which he shared with
the family, Clay endeavored to draw
winona--he had discovered that to be
her name--ipto conversation, but she
repealed such advances with monosyl.
tables. One of her brothers chaffed her
Oh her i'll humor, arousing her to sharp
retort, whereat he laughed roughly.
Fortunes soured sis's temper. Fun
ny how some folks can't stand good
luck
Later Clay found her leaning against
the trellls where the vines still clung
Il congratulate you on being an heir
ess. independence is not the least gift
that riches confer"
The girl raised her head rebelliously.
"Why should Aunt Liza give me her
money! l don't want It. | hardly ever
saw her and cared less, What right
had she to spoil my lifeT" Her voice
vibrated with resentment, and low
whistle escaped Clay.
Truly an unusual view to take. II
you are in trouble possibly l can help
you. I'd like to try"
Wipons shook her head. Guess no
one can"
what about the fellow we metz" 4
chance shot, but 1t made the color
surge painfully to the girls face,
Though she kept silent,
II stayed over to paint picture. "
proceeded the artist, abruptly chang
ing the topic. "I'm going to try for
the rioting splendor of New England
fall, and-I want you in the shadow Of
the maples-just as you were today"
"If it depends on me you may as well
give up your picture"
ut would mean a good deal to me-"
II don't hold with such,' returned
the girl indifferently and went indoors.
Musing, Clay continued to pull at his
brler. 1t took a good deal to discour-
age him. The subject was an inspira-
ton. He would paint now as before he
only dreInci: Of doing. On the NOR
row he would sketch the girl from
memory--her pose and coloring We're
photographed on his brain-and then
60 TO work on the background,
But rs the week passed he found
himself 10 nearer his object Winona,
who now conversed on ordinary top.
les, was dumb when he advanced the
picture, nor did he gain IN her conf.
dence regarding her personal affairs
1t was from her mother Mrs. Eager
that he learned the facts.
Previous to her aunt's death Winona
had kept company"-tbe local phras
ing for courtship---with Keith Adams
but there had been no formal engage
ment, for which fact the mother now
rejoiced, as with her improved pros
poets the girl might do much better
Mrs. Eager herself had privately sd
ministered some broad hints 10 the as
plring farmer, which he had apparent
ly accepted. Did Winona care? Well
she supposed that Winona thought shS
did, but she was young enough to have
q dozen fancies before coming into Con
troll Of her mouey. 1t was her duty Il
marry we'll and help hcr brothers ant
sisters.
I'm told you are not ambitious" re
marked Clay that evening, causing WI
mona to fare up Unexpectedly.
~ want nothing but to be let alone
II had the money now I'd give It Il
you--to any one-whoN S9 gWa& ant
never let me hssr'3t II again" He
{ toes thoked suddenly, and. covering
her face, she sobbed with an abandon
and passion that Clay never had seel
before.
He felt uncomfortable, like all me,
when confronted with W9men's tears
But - wapted TO help her. Above q.
things he wanted his picture. Impu
s!veIy he whispered suggestion,