A Timely Lesson

ít wRx all McAllister' fanlt ín bis extreme nnxiet) to serve Maud he had neglecleri to coDsider Godfroy's inteiesft. Maud was a young lady whom lio worsh ped rather humbly froiu afar - Bhe being rloh, beautiful, inl of a formidably aristocratie family, while he was a loue Bohemian - but with wbom lio could claim artistic kinsliip, since lie and and she had studied in the same building. Slio was an amateur, it bappened, and he a breadwlnnerj they both managed to turn out somo very good woik. and cacli was ofioti of asilstance to the other. One fine morning ín early summer Miss Maud - whosesurname was Satlcrletí-enlciod her studie with a slight shadow on hor high bred, roso fair f.'icc II. r crompanion, a charmng brunette girl a Iittle her senior, followed, looklng amused. Miss Fort.escue was r lmppy compromiso betreed chaperon e and oontidante. She was a g rl of excellent sense and Judgment and brituful of humor, wli.ch was fortúnate, for Maud liad only a father, wlio was in Enrope, aodan aunt, who was splonUic "lv deár Maud," sald Miss Forlerscue, reproacbíully, yot half langhing, "yon Icnow vory well 111 go out and luna on up a model if you wish t." - ss Maud brighteniul. "1 wisli yon wotild, Carria I'm just n a sjlnd d mood to begin a portrait. Get me Bometblng ruggcd, uncouth, if jrou like." Slio tossed herself down on the studo ofaand looked inquiringly at hercompanion. Miss Fortescue rcflecttid. "There's thu banana man - the Hallan - ilowu on the street corner" - "Oh, I don't want liini, "' said Maud, contemptuously. Just then a tap at the door. It was ILuty McAUister. Af ter the usual polite "good morning" he requested permistión to bring in a friend to sea Miss Batterlee's handsome "den" aml exuuples. "A friend froiu my old home in Tennessee," he exclaimed, "going to spencl the suramcr in town. A little prot nclal, you know, but of goed fanilly." Mand assented langudly. But when the youug stranger entered with MeAllislcr she sat up suddenly like ono revlved. Mr. Godfrey Waring was large and tall. Ho was sunburned and had longisli, lightbrown h air and pale bluo syis. A nose of good sizo and long, clean shaven upper lip weiv, facial peculiaritiies. And Mr. Godfrey Waring was blussed with an abundance of confidence. IIo gazed about him with a Biuile of approval, shook bands twice with the ladies, commented iu a clear, higli. nasal voice on Alaud's woik, and [inally deparied in a state of self complacency. "Fine girls," he remarked to MoAIlister, when back iu tliat gentleman's ; lanotum. "Eli?" querled McAUister, a little itailled at tho irreverence. 'I say they'ro fine girls. She's an he res, ain't she? Think I made an ImpreBsiop on her?" McAUister gasped. ïheu bis sense of tho humorous preva led. Ho aniwered dryly: "Ahem! I shouldn't wonder. Miss Batterlee had her eyes on you all the tmo." Wouldn't mind having her if my faniily didn't objoct," remarked God[rey, with a reflective little click of tho ' tongue against his teeth. As for the young ladies, they had '. preservad silence imtil their caller3 vere out of heat'ing range. Then Miss Satterlee exclaimed: "Ku - , eu- , what's that woik, Carrie. beginning with a eu?" "Euchro, euphonj', European, y" - ' Nonscnse! I mean Eureka. I havo got a model." "You mean the Tennesseoan, niy dear?" "Yes. I could sketch hini already. Take Lis fuco just as it is; crown it with a ragged straw hat; put a flannel ihirt on liim opening carelessly írom tho neck; plonty of red aud tan.'' "But how will you get him to sil?" "Oh, Mr. McAUister will manage it all for me,". And sure enough Mr. McAllister did. Tliat s to say, he brought Mr. Waring frequently to Mr. Satterlee's studio, and the youug artiste began to surreptitiously appropriate the features of tho ïennesseeau- as best she could from recollection after ho deoarted on eac.h occasion. Meantimc Godfrey besran to look vevy self satisiied and to throw out certain little hints about the conquest of an heiress, and such a talented one at that. McAUister took his cue thereat and drew a serious face. "Yes," he said with great gravity, "there's nodonying it, Gof. old feliow. You are making tine beadway. But what about a certain little girl down home that you were telling me of ?" Ciodfiey replied in a practical tone. Ho was sorry, but he could break off the affalrwith Mabel. Poor Mabel, alas! whose voluruiuous correspondonce was no Jonger carried about next his heart Poor Mabel, who crossed and recrossed her foolscap In flowiug seSioolgirl hand to such little purpose. At longth tho acquaintjince had gone on so pleasantly that Miss Satterlee Ihought sho raight venture to ask tho ; young man to sit for her. "I can work in the costume afterward, you kuow," she said to Mis8 E"ortescne. So when Mr. Godfrey called agaii the following morning at tho studio Miss Fortescuo stepped bacb hijo tho little íidjoluinjj room according to a previous engagement with Maud. And Maud - her easel boing carofully ' ored- sat back in her chair, and with most cbarmlng naivete began to speak ns follows: "I hope you are not very hard heartoii. Mr. Waring, because I havo' a confesson to mako." Sho cast down her beautiful eyes and a lovely smile played ubout hor beautiful lips. "I hopo yon will consent to pardon me," sho said. There isn't anything I wouldn't pardon in you," said Godfrey, '. impressfyely. M ss Satterleo fancied sho heard a ubdued nierriment in the room adjoini Could Miss Fortescuo be undiguiüod enou";h to giggle? Tlieu Maud went on: "Well, Hiep, would you be very ruiich oflundcd if I should ask you to- to ermil me to niake a sketch of your ace? You know we art students are constantly on the walch for countonnccs thul aio not insipid andcornmou. A face indicativo of strength of :haracter, aud - and ambition - is not common." Godfrey began to smile and look conseious. "You don't know how complimeutcd Mfcel," he said. "Oh, I ara so glad. Will you sit for me to-day? To teil the truth, I've begun already; but, of course, it don't ible you a bit as yet." And sho uncoveied the canvas. And Godfrey oscd for au hour to the gioat satisaclioa of both. Affor that he sat every morning nearly for a week or moro. Mr. ilcAlHster was amused to discover that he Tennesseean was quito iu earnest a liis idea of laying siego to the artiste's heart and gave up trylng to rapress upon hiru the absurdity of his aspira t ons. Godfrey evidently believed ïimself irresistible. Miss Fortescue was always present at he sittings, but somotimas found it ïocessary to retiro to tho adjoining oom to represa her laughter, the tuodel'singenins rumiirkg were so highly iniusing. Occasioually she gavo Maud ome advice, as follows: "lf he becomes loo talkative, my dear, you must nub him. Snub him gorgeously, you illOW." "Whatl can' t onderstand," said Godrey one morning, "is how you can niiul so well. I guess you aiu't more han 20, are you?" "Nut nnich more," said Maud. "Tlien I guess I'll be about twoyears )lder Ihan you iu September." Maud - Iudeed? Godfrey - A fact Maud - Well, that's a nieo age. I upposu you'll go imo business and succeod iinely. Godfrey - Own fanlt if I don't Clioking his tongue on his teeth.) jiiess I've got money euough to back me. Maud- Yes? There, liow am I geit ng on with the picture? Godfrey - Well, I guess I'd be lucky o get as good a one again. What do 'ou mean to do with it any way? Maud- Do you with it? Oh- ah- why, exhibit it, perhaps, Godfrey- You wouldn't sell it, I supose - to me? Maud (slowly)- Well, fraukly, I vould rather keep it myself. Godfrey (suddeuly) - I wishl had one of you! Mand (raising her voiee) - Carrie, lease come and crilicise. Godfrey was certainly very deternined. When the sittings wero over 10 requested permission to cali at Miss Satterlee's home. Maud was very ileasant. "To cali?" she ropeated, smilingly. Rcall}', I should like to ask you, but, ■ou see, tho house is closed, as we go o the seaside very soon. Our receptions aro over for tho season." Godfrey bore his disappointnient like i liero. Had she not painted his portrait and refused to sell it- even to him? "My dear," said Fortescue, 'Tm afraid your beautiful eyes have worked nischief to tbat susceptible young southerner." "You think so? Dear me, I'd be sorry for him. But he'd suffer in a noble canse - the cause of art." Godfrcd conlinued to cali at the studio. Til have to lock the dooi," said Mand, 'l'll never have a chance to work up the costume. I must iiuish it bis week. Aunt Sarah is complaining aecause I don't arrauge about my wardrobe." "You'll never want any wardrobe," replied Miss Fortescue, "if you close tho door such weather as this. You'll nielt or stifle in short order." "Then Til risk hls coming and leave t open." And sho did. When the young ladies arrived at the studio quite early, ono or two mornings later, Miss Salterlee found a letter iwaitining her. She sat down to read it, and was so long at the task that Miss Forlescue began to wonder and inquirèd as to the artiste's perplexity. "It's a proposal I'm considering, " replied Maud. "Indeed! That's diversion. Howfunny tho portrait looks. Ah, if ho should see it!" Maud frowned. "l'd like to burn the old thiug!" '■But you couldu't my love; there's no lire, thaak fortune!" "Listen to this impndcnce!' cried Mand, a ml began to read aloud: "My Dbab -Miss Maud- ThougU I have known you so short a time, I do not belitve you tv 11 be wholly surprised to leara that I baye come lo regard you as more tban a frieud. In fact I have growu to care for you inore tban I ever cared for auy glrl. I almost belleve I can never be happy without you. I know you know that I arn a gentleman; I even tbink you llke me a little anl wlll soou like me more. I eau otter yon a name upon.wbose honor do atain bas ever fallen. Of course we are botb too younL for an iinmcdiate marrlage, 'but I bope that Kome day we may become all n all to each other. I wlll cali to see you thls af ternoon at 2, and hope for an answer whlch will make me haupy. TUI tben and always Your o vu " 'GO1FBET.'" " 'My dear Miss Mand, your own Godfrey,' " repeated Miss Fortescue. "Ah, my child, did I not waru thee? Wel], what to di?" Maud covered the portrait with an impeluous niovement. "l'll give the preaumptuous youth a littlc lesson, she answored, "Mr. McAlJist(r says he has an evaltcd idea of his powers; that he's beu virtually eng:iged to a httle girl down at his homo for soiuetimc past." As 2 o'clock approachet] Mr. Godfrey's beart beat with coniulent i ation. He nieant to show hls friend ' McAllistcr a thing or two. MoAllister , had undertaken to reiuindhiraof Mabel ' Clare. 1I! tossed ais bead as ho luembereil tliis. "I guess thero aiu't many glrla but would be glad of a chance at me." he said, as lio set out for Miss Satterlee's studio. He expecti il shat Mand would be sby at íirst. '.utgradually slio would como around. lo purchased a large bunoh of roses as iio proceeded on bis way. Maud was alone- ipparently. Slit smiled and took the roses witb manj thanks. "Pray sit down," she said. "You look quito warm." Mr. Godírey drew up a chair. You received my note?" "Your note? Oh, yes, of coiii "And wuat did you think of the idea?'' ho quériel, wilh dulighlful self ! complacency. "What (lid I thinkP Wliy, of courso, I thought you mnant it :is a joke. I'in ; suro I hope you did, bccitusu you know, or rather you onght lo know, though, perhaps, you doa't know, and I'ni sure : l'd feel dreadful if I tliougbt yon'd been led to supposo - the truth is, Mr, Waring, Fin engaged- to a gentleman who is now in Europe!" Godfrey tnrned palé. "Engaged!" he criéd, tragically. "Why, for that matter, so ata I. But l'd break an)' engagement for you!" Maud aróse, looking very grave. "I am sorry to hcar you say so. I [ liave heard so mnch about southern honor." "But you won't decide at once," lie stainuiered. "Proniise me to tbink it over." Miss Maud regarded hini coldly. "You must have missunderstood me. There is 'nothing f urther to be aaid, and - will you picase excuse me?" Slio ■ turncd toward the other room, and i Godfrey had no choice but to leave. He was in suca a state of niind betwecn ', disappointment aüd chagrín that he left bis hat upon the sofa and went bareheaded all the way down the street. He had gone half a block when ho discovored why people were staring at him. Then - could he go back? Oh, no! And yet the hat was new, and Godfrey was just a little close about imnecessary expense. He therefore returned and climbed the stairs softly, ; hoping sho miglit st 11 be in the inner room and would not hear hiru enter. But as he reached the threshold of the studio he was greeted with an ' stonishing sight Not only Maud, but also Miss Fortescue had emerged from the inner room; they apparently were ' taking great pleasuro in regarding a picture upon the easel, which had been moved from its customavy position. They stood with their backs to the door. "An excellent likeness," said Miss Fortescus, and the two young ladies laughed heartily. "I might pity him." said Maud. "if he weren't so capable of pitying - no, adoring himself." Just then they moved a little, and Godfrey caught a glimpse of his hum portrait, ragged, hatted, llaunel r;nmented - plainly almost a oaricature. For a moment he was falrly stummd; then, turning, he fled, liatless as befuru and choking with gasps of nige imd mortilication, to the He fan thus for several blooks before lit thought of a hatter. He kept out of McAliister'g sinlii that evening and for several da afler. But gradually he carao to liimsilf Bml wrote to the long neglectod MabolP - i