Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-04-28


against the tree trunk, that phrase of
Imbrie's flashed across her. And the
little womaL. watching. working. wait
ing there-who knew? Perhaps. after
all, 1t might not be entirely hypo-
thetical case? Certainly, In speaking
of 1t, there had come into lmbrie's
voice a quality hitherto unsupported.
And II by any possibility she. Harriet
Hargraves. might aid this struggling
worker, who could tell how 1t might
ingratlate her with-well. how 1t might
serve her purpose7 The whim held
her. ..
When the janitor of the adjoining
building, whose first floor was let to
tailor and the second to milliner. In
formed Miss Hargraves that there was
that there actually was-an artist or
something on the top floor, that lady
smiled at her own Sherlock Holmes
work.
"Yes'm," in response to low pitch
ed question. you're likely to find her
at home; she's Almost always wOrkin'.
Anyhow, you'll be sure to find her
mother. who's an invalid and never
goes out"
1t was the mother. indeed. who
opened the door and ushered her Wis,
itor into the tiny front studio.
The girl stood before an easel work.
ing rapidly, ragged. picturesque
street urchin Of the Latin race posing
as her model. She was absorbed in
her work, and 1t was more than good.
Miss HargraveS came and stood quiet
ly beside h"r, drawing a long breath
and watching with interest the sure,
strong touch Of the brush.
'Therer' cried the girl. allowing her
model to relax and turning with u
gracious little smile upon her caller.
Il beg your pardon" She laid her
palette on her color box, and Miss Har-
graves saw the dark ring around her
thumb where she rad held it so long
She was slightly built little thing,
with an exquisite. orchid-like face OF
that transparent pallor through which
the fire of the spirit burns like pure
fame. She had soft brown hair that
waved capriciously, and her wide,
earnest eyes were of the deepest gray.
Miss Hargraves dropped her pend
ent lorgnette, which she had brought
to bear upon her young hostess. with
a half sigh of satisfaction. Ah, yes;
this girl that stood before her In the
homely apron was not only an artist,
but a lady. So she need not hesitate:
she could proceed with her hastily
inspired project.
my dear" she said after the girl
! had pushed forward a crude green
burlap covered chair with the courtesy
Of grande dame, word of your tal-
ent reached me-we won't say just
how. At this particular moment don't
tease me to tell And 1t has occurred
to me that l might be able to throw
little profitable pleasure your way.
You've never been to Italy-no2 Well,
1t would help lot. Now. I'm going
to take Mediterranean cruise myself
next month. Snd IL you'd like --
Miss Hargraves broke off suddenly
and lifted her lorgnette again. 1t was
| no word which interrupted her SEN
| tence, but a curious. heeting little
smile in the great gray eyes, elusive as
| will-o'-the- wisp. Such a smile had
played no part In the fancy picture
she had drawn. ..
The girl dropped her black lashes for
an appreciable fraction Of a second
and clasped her slim hands. which lay
idly in her lap. Then. with girlisb,
pretty gesture, half shy, half proud,
she raised the left hand with the right,
and, looking at the only ring she wore.
q telltale solitaire. she said In voice
whose keynote was spring:
"Italy7 That's where we are going.
he and THAT is, you see, I'm to be
married next month. It's a secret as
yet, isn't 1t. mother? But" turning to
her visitor again. II tell you because
1 don't want you to think I'm ungrate-
full for your kind offer. Indeed. It's
most awfully sweet and kind. There
was time-not so long ago either
when 1t would have overcome me with
its beauty, when it would have been
to me as a miracle. but now this other
miracle has come, and every thing
else oh. | never knew before how
wonderful life isr'
Miss HargraveS rose shortly.
"WeI. | wish you happiness" she
said, holding out her gloved hand with
languid interest The girls sentimen-
tai youth Jared Oh her nerves. And
I'll tell your fricud who Is interested
in the galleries next door that. you
won't be long 'on the other side of the
WALL"
"Why, yes" laughed the girl, push>
ing back q rebellious curl; tell him
IL you like, since I haven't mentioned
my flance's name. But for the life OF
me I can't imagine who this good
friend is. have so few friends. Life
has been such an uphill
But on her way to the door Miss.
Hargraves had stopped short before q
green burlap covered table.
There, in q vase, was huge bunch
of yellow roses-roses tied together
with familiarly devised knot of satin
ribbon the color of their petals!
Miss Hargraves' lorgnette dropped
Gathering down and struck against
the burlap cover.