Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-30

Miss Hargraves came and stood quiet
ly beside her. drawing a long breath
and watching with interest the sure.
strong touch of the brush.
''There!" cried the girl. allowing her
model to relax and turning with a
gracious little smile upon her caller.
81 beg your pardon" She laid her
palette on her color box. and Miss Har-
graves saw the dark ring around her
thumb where she had held IL so long.
She was a slightly built little thing.
with an exquisite. orchid-like face OF
that transparent paller through which
the fire Of the spirit burns ike 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 Iorgnette, which she had brought
to bear upon her young hostess, with
a half sigh of satisfaction. All, yes;
this girl that stood before her in the
homeIy 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 a grande dame. WORD OF your tai
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 1 might be able to throw
little profitable pleasure your way.
You've never been TO Italy-no? Well,
it would help a lot. Now, I'm going
to take a Mediterranean cruise myself
next month, and If you'd like
Miss Hargraves broke off suddenly
and lifted her lorgnette again. It was
no word which interrupted her SEN
tence, but a curious. feetins little
smile in the great gray eyes, elusive as
a 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 appreciate fraction Of second
and clasped her slim hands. which lay
idly in her lap. Then, with girlish.
pretty gesture, half shy. half proud,
she raised the left hand with the right.
and, looking at the only ring she wore,
a telltale solitaire, she said in a voice
whose keynote was spring:
'TtaIy? 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 it, mother? But" turning to
her visitor again, 81 tell you because
don't want you to think I'm migrate
full for your kind offer. Indeed. it's
most awfully sweet and kind. There
was a time-not so long ago either
when it 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 everything
wonderful life isr'
Miss Hargraves rose shortly.
"WeIl. wish you happiness" she
said. holding out her gloved hand with
Ianguid interest. The girls sentimen-
tai youth Jared on her nerves. And
I'll tell your friend 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 a rebellious curl; tell him
If you like, since ! haven't mentioned
my fance's name. But for the life Of
me l can't imagine who this good
friend is. l have so few friends. Life
has been such an uphill
But on her way to the door Miss
had stopped short before n
green burlap covered table.
There, in a vase. was a huge bunch
Of yellow roses-roses tied together
with Familiarity devised knot of satin
ribbon the color of their petals! i
Miss Hargraves' lorgnette dropped
down and struck against
the burlap cover.