The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-10-02

the waltz"
"Oh, 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. 1.-TWO heads. you know"
Leslie Maynard hesitated for some
moments.
1T is very generous of you to put
1t that way" she said with little
smile. "But If you wish it, L"
"The ayes have it, Miss Maynard,
he broke in laughingly. "And well
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 new frock
Ia 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.
AAnd socks" he continued eagerly,
1brown 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, then-to-
morrow. perhaps. Now, what do you
say?"
With 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 a soft kind of
baby caress.
The friendship thus oddly insti-
tuted between the man and the girl
grew and deepened daily. In Leslie
Maynard Jack Ethan speedily recog-
nized kindred soul in the art they
both loved.
Inssnsibly on Jack Eltham's side
friendship deepened and passed into
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 1t. She
hoped he would forget her-that
promise of one short year ago, so hur-
riedly and wildly, yet so solemnly
given, would ever obtrude itself: yet
even as she hoped she took pleasure
IN doubling. For she was a woman,
and a very young one, withal.
In the stern of boat that lay al
most motionless in the soft lap, 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, a great tiger
lily clutched tight In her hands and
look of solemn content in the large
blue eyes, curled up beside ner. OPP
posite the two, on one of the cross
thwarts. sat Jack Ethan.
isn't 1t 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 grit Brighton of the North lay
nesting at the feet of low forested
hills, over whose crest the pine trees
hung like dark green cloud. II
shall be so sorry to leave 1t all. II
am going away Tomorrow" a faint,
hesitating note in her voice.
Going away tomorrow" Jack
Ethan could only repeat her words
DULY.
"Yes; I must CO. My holiday is
up" she almost whispered. 1t 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.
But your picture-it is not yet
Finished" he stammered in reply.
why are you leaving so suddenly"
She was silent, but her eyes me-
his gaze with look of strange appeal
in their depths.
"Tell me, Miss Maynard-Leslie-
l claim a right to know-the right Of
one who loves you," he insisted
gently. you must know-you must
have seen it. Tell me, may l hope
some day-you will return it?"
Don't. dont!" she cried piteously,
turning aside that he might not wit
ness the struggle at her heart.
Have spoken, then. too late? Is
there another? Answer me, Leslie,
and l will go and not again trouble
you."
There is another, but-but not as
you think" she added in a faint
whisper.
@Who is it? I must hear. You
must tell me all now" His eyes
sought and held hers masterfully.
A quick wave of color flooded his
cheeks. 1T Is no one you know" she
answered, with a little catch in her
voice. ut was TOTO please my
father--a year ago-when he died."
do you love him, Leslie, this
man? Answer me from your heart. "