The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-05

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model" Josephine said. won't 1t be
hard to find?"
He smiled down at her. Il have
found my model" he said.
But Josephine did not understand
the significance Of his tone.
Il wish l might watch you work.
she said.
Il hope You will watch me many
times" he said. He hesitated. and
then asked. DO you think your moth.
er would let you sit for me? should
like to do you as you are now with
that big muff and fur, and with that
three-cornered hat on top Of your
curls. You seem the very spirit Of
youth; your vividness almost lights
up this dull ROOM"
Josephine had never been called
pretty, and there was something in
this mans tone that made her feel
that he meant what he said. 1t was
not flattery. but rather the satisfied
estimate of one who has found what
he wants.
Il am afraid mother wouldn't let
me come here" she said. but il you
could work al our house."
IL will ask her." he told her
| Tina; night he pleaded so eloquently
that Mrs Danforth consented. and ev.
cry day after that Josephine sat for
him. with Peggy and the little folks,
and tie statue grew under his deft
fingers.
1t seemed to Josephine in these
days that life took on new meanings
This man. with the slender. white
fingers and the kind smile. became so
much part OF her thoughts and her
daily lie that when one morning he
announced that the statue was fin
ished and his sojourn at the Oaks end
ed. she gave n little gasp of dismay
Are You going to leave u.s." she
asked.
He did not look at her as he said.
slowly. Il must. cannot stay here
any longer; ! must not"
She didn't dare ask him why: some
instinct told her that 1t was because
Of her that he was going. Because
she WAS a woman she must let him
leave in silence. The children cx-
pressed their regrets; they did not
know how they were to get along
without their dear Toy Man.
"Arcn't we ever going to come and
knock at the knocker and see the
mandarin and the liOns?" Peggy
walled.
Josephine shall have the Key" he
said Perhaps she will come here
sometimes and let you play. viii
yOu?" he asked and Josephine said.
"Yes."
After he had gone, however, she
found that 1t was not easy to visit the
big empty room. The spirit of the man
who had presided was lacking, the
children we're restless without his
quick suggestion and tactful planning
II gradually came about, therefore,
that the boys were left alone In the
big room, and the children played out
Of doors in the winter sunshine.
Josephine dropped and lost her
brightness, and at last Mrs. DanfOrth
sent her to visit an aunt In the city.
Then a round Of sightseeing and OF
excitement began for Josephine.
One day she came to an art exhibit
and was startled to find her counter
part In white marble IN the center of
the room. 1t was beautiful figure
and was surrounded by an admiring
crowd Josephine, gazing at II, forgot
her surroundings. Then some one said.
flush! here comes the sculptor" and
she turned and faced the Toy Man.
"You-at last" he said, and drew
her away from the crowd. In a Sc
Guided corner of the room he asked
her many questions.
Did you think me cruel to lcave
you?"
JoscphIne's face famed. Il didn't
dare think" she said.
III had not seen you here" he
told her, Il was going back tomorrow
to the Oaks to find you, and you know
why | want you Josephine?"
II am not sure" she faltered.
There were things that kept me
from yOu." he explained.
Il had had great money failures.
and the old furniture In that house
was the extent of my possessions.
Everything depended upon my ability
to make good with this statue. was
to receive q contract for larger work.
If I could produce something besides
the tiny figures over which | had
wasted so many years. II my statue
of you had failed would have had
no right to ask you to marry me for
ruin would have faced me. but now
now | can go back. and we will work
together"
The children In the little town well
coined back their Toy Man with en-
thusiasm. He was too busy now to
have them every day, but once week
they we're welcome, and just before
Christmas he and Josephine were
After the wedding there |
was a strange departure from the
usual custom, for instead of a recep-