Middletown transcript., 1909-12-23

found the subject OF ner picture.
There was just . stretch Of
gray lake at twilight--the shad'
owy outline Of two great steam
ers on the horizon-s yellow moon
showing round through the mists.
he had taken her there one
January afternoon SO that they
might look straight out upon the
wide waters, and in the breath
less moment that had followed be
had known that the beauty OF II
had entered into her soul IS II
had entered into his, and she had
said, softly, / shall always re-
member.
He knew that she must have
gone often alone since then, so
that she might have the picture
for him, his Christmas gift.
II seexad7Eo him that his pride
in her, nt must oyerstep al
bounds. That he must say 20
these people who gssed on her
hSndiwork, She is mine See
what she can do. But outwardly
4
he preserved o calmness that hall
deceived Elizabeth.
You likeit?She demanded, when
she had a moment alone with
him, while her mother poured tea
at the other end Of the room.
I love it, be said, and in that
moment the full measure OF his
pride shown out.
She caught her breath. ! did
not want all Of these people tc
see it, she explained, her eyes 9
little troubled. wanted to send
il to you before anyone else had
looked st it. ! think | should
have liked best to have you hang
II in some room where no one but
Won should ever 60 She
stopped and went on, hurriediy.
But you know mother. She Is
60 proud Of it, and she would have
It down for all these davis to peck
at Again her eyes we're wistful.
Your mother is right, he stated
with tinality; the world has 9
right to you-to your genius
shall keep you to 1t, dear, you
wonderworker.
The shadow in her eyes grew
deeper. But-she began, and
then their solitude was broken
In upon BY hall . dozen people
who were leaving.
Letitia Vandegrift caught both
Of EliEabeth's hands in hers. You
might be great II it wasn't for
this man--her glance condemned
Underwood. He will marry you
next spring and there will be Q
genius lost TO the world.
Elizabeth laughed. lam not q
genius, she said. / have Q little
talent-but If the world loses it,
what thenl There sre other peo'
pie who can paint pictures.
There are other people who
can marry, Letitis insisted. ] can
never forgive you for getting en-
gagged.
Underwood smiled contentedly.
/ hardly dared let her announce
It, he admitted. ! knew that
everybody would think that ! fgas
spelling ker for fsme-but / pun
going to keep her at it.
Over Mrs. Vandegrift's head,
Agatha Weatherby beamed on
him. Yes, keep her at it, she
said; too many women are sub.
merged by marriage, and Eliza
NethS talents are decidedly worth
while.
Behind them all, Dane Ark
wright spoke dogmatically, Mar.
Eiage ard q career are utterly in,
eompatible--you'Ye got TO give
up one or the other, Elizabeth.
Personally, I should advise you
10 give up Underwood, and he
smiled ct the ot er man.
Underwood s. Iiled back. You
doctors are Gym 20. Why should
noe @ woman do telop her own in
diyidnalityf
I'n give you d woman's reason
! because, Arg,wright said lazily.
When everycIne>had gone, Eliz-
abeth's mothert took up the same
strain. I shoultl never be willing
TO have Elizabeth give mp her
painting.
Mother! the girl cried.
And then, for the first time, the
lovers ears were Quickened TO
catch the note Of pain in her voice
What 10 il, ,desrt he asked when
they we're alone.
She sat down opposite him in q
zig high.backsa chair, and he
noted chat her angers we're tight
gw {saNmw1mNar@d