The Argosy — page 344: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A Guide from Dreamland. — 323 agreeably surprised to find on the table a twenty-pound note, which Mrs. Crawford had laid there, and beside it, on a slip of paper, were the words: “To make up for the loss of Daisy.” It is ten years later. ‘The month of May is drawing to a close, and the Art Exhibition has just been opened. In the principal room of the building hangs a picture which attracts all eyes by its bold, artistic colouring, and by its expression and depth of feeling. As the catalogue can tell, it is called ‘‘ Homeless,” and represents a bridge in a great city at sunset. A little girl, with golden curls and faded clothes, is leaning over the parapet, gazing wistfully and with tearful eyes into the ripples beneath. The indifference of the passers-by is well portrayed, and the whole picture is powerful and suggestive. Two artists stop before it. ** Fine picture, that—288.” ‘Very ; especially when one considers the age of the artist.” ‘How so?” ‘Why, don’t you know? Margaret Wray is the name assumed by a young girl of about twenty, a young protégée of the well-known Mrs. Crawford.” “Indeed! Well, her picture is most admirable.” Yes; it does her great credit, and predicts a brilliant future. ‘The sunset is grand.” And they move on. But three ladies behind them have heard what they said. Two of them appear sisters, and must be both between forty and fifty ; but the third cannot be more than twenty, and is strikingly beautiful and refined. ‘Did you hear what they said, Daisy ?” asks the elder lady. ‘It was very complimentary to you. They are no ordinary critics, for they are two of the ablest artists of the day. Iam proud of you, child !” Daisy’s eyes shine with happy pride as she answers softly : ‘‘ Ah, Aunt Eva, I owe it all to you and Aunt Mildred. I shall never, never be able to repay such a debt!” ‘No, Daisy,” answered Mrs. Crawford, with a smiling face, though there is a very tender expression in her eyes: “not to us do you owe it all, but to a certain little ‘Guide from Dreamland.’ ” Cconniclooolks (CO) im