The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-04-15

suspected that Prue Nigh, have been
happier doing something else. but in
the Taylor family, when Judgment had
heen passed. the last word had been
said.
Then there was Lola. Lola was,
perhaps, the frecst of them all, for I.o-
Ia was an artist to her finger tips. She
had some Of Mercy's practical sense.
too. for between the times when she
was painting wonderful things TO be
appreciated In some happy future she
made c little drawings for adver-
the whole. Lola's art education had
been a good investment.
There was something ra'riarrhal
about the girls father. He v
meant to he arbitrary. but having de-
eided what he thought each daughter
cared most for. he educated her strict
~ along that line. For the most part.
his choice had been happy. Prue. at
least. was c%ontented. and Lola vas
perfectly happy. But 1t went rather
hard with the capable one" She was
happy enough in her way, hut there
We're times when she envied Prue and
Lola the chances they had to make
only dependent daughter. however in
dispensabie.
Today Mercy was thinking busily--
thinking mostly Of Lola. who was
staying with cousins in the city to he
nearer the reference hooks she need
ed. the pictures that inspired her
all the art life that was SO necessary
her, not alone because she lived in the
wonderful city. but because she work
ed With the colors and materials that
Mercy adored. For deep in the heart
Of the capable one" was as deep a
love of form and color as the artistic
- @y-A 41H Y .-A
~ suspected that. She only wished
that she had been taught. too. and
often accused herself of being just
childishly greedy.
Confronted with the delicate task Of
hlilng Jars. Mercy's thoughts broke off
and hung suspended. Finally she l,ft-
ed the funnel from the last jar and
her fr~ui.-stsined fingers and that
brought back her train of thought, via
3. mental picture of Lola's pretty
hands. white and soft. except for the
palette thumb. which she often dauh-
ed as freely as the palette.
a sudden peal Of the doorbell GENT
Mercy running to the door. pushing
In hairpins and s%crambling out of m
all-embracing apron. 1t was the young
architect who was planning the new
sehoolhouse. conc. as usual. to Q n
suit Mr.. Taylor. Mercy smiled ador-
ably With pretty hospitality and led
him to the coy library while she went
in search of her father.
In a ome she came running
down stairs again. The young archi-
tert caught a glimpse of her flying
blue and white dress through the stair
railing. There was a pause while she
looked into another room and then
she came to the door.
He doesn't. seem to be ill.," she said,
with a little smile Of regret, Gould
you come again about half-past eight?
! don't know where he is now, but
he'll surely be back then"
Ferguson went, rather reluctantly,
and in less than FIVE minutes found
himself looking forward to hslf.past
eight with undeniable eagerness. On
her part Mercy slipped into her apron
again and smiled when she remember
ed the unmistakable admiration in his
eyes.
There was little more to be done in
the kitchen and Mercy soon put up
her apron n hurried into the lib
rary. From the table drawer she
drew III thick sheets of paper. pen.
ellis. brushes. and a paint box. Then.
removing the magazines from the
table. she drew up a chair. In five