The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-11-13

sight Of which Josephine exclaimed.
why, it's Peggy!"
It was only In the rough clay. and
a tiny thing. but 1t was Peggy to the
life. poised on tip-toe. curls flying.
eyes wide with mystery Of childhood.
They do not know" he said. when
they play with my lions and my little
old gods that they are my models.
work briskly. and tell them am max
ing toys; otherwise they would b
self-conscious."
DO you use only children for mod
elsf" Josephine asked
II like them best-yet ! have
thought that my masterpiece will be
the figure Of a girl. half child. half
woman. Where the brook and river
meet"
you should have . very beautiful
model" Josephine said. Wont 1t be
hard to nndf"
He smiled down at her. II have
found my model" he said.
But Josephine did not understand
the Significance of his tone.
81 wish l might watch you work"
she said.
81 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 met l should
like to do you as you are now with
that big mum 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
this mans tone that made her feel
that he meant what he said. 1t was
not hattery. but rather the satisfied
estimate Of one who has found what
| he wants.
81 am afraid mother wouldn't let
me come here" she said. but II you
could work at our house"
II will ask her." he told her.
That night he pleaded 30 eloQuently
that Mrs. Danforth consented. and ev
cry day after that Josephine sat for
him. with Peggy and the little folks.
and the statue grew under his deft
fingers.
| It 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 a part Of her thoughts and her
daily life that when one morning he
announced that the statue was I'm
ished and his sojourn at the Oaks end
ed, she gave little gasp Of dismay
Are you going to leave us?" she
asked.
He did not look at her as he said.
slowly, Il must I 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 ex
pressed their regrets; they did not
know how they were to get along
without their dear Toy Man.
Aren'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. Will
your" 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 were restless without his
quick suggestion and tactful planning
1t 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.