t with two decided refusals. The
tobacconist came last on the list, and Madge's thin face shone with the
light of battle as she stepped across his threshold; for hers was one of
the fortunate natures which holds the more firmly to its purpose when
face to face with difficulty. To return home without one single sheaf
to flourish was not to be thought of for a moment; by cajolery, tact, or
insistence, this last chance must be turned into a success, and a bright
half-sovereign transferred from the till to her purse.

It was already late in the afternoon, the gas was lit, and the master of
the shop was sitting behind his counter reading an evening newspaper.
He looked up in astonishment as Madge entered, for his clientele was
almost exclusively masculine, and there was something about this quiet,
black-robed girl which made him rise hastily and put on his best
manners, as he inquired with what he could have the pleasure of serving
her. She was a lady--not a pretty lady, yet there was something very
taking about the way in which she smiled and said frankly:

"Well, do you know, I want _you_ to be my customer to-day! I have heard
that you are enterprising and fond of taking up new ideas, and I have
drawn a picture advertisement which I thought you might like to buy to
paste in your window."

The man looked dubious and disappointed. "I hardly think"--he began
uncertainly; but Madge was already unrolling her paper, and what living
tobacconist could have withstood the picture that was then revealed!
This one, at least, was profoundly impressed; but when the money
question was approached he showed a shocking ignorance of the value of
artistic efforts. "If you 'ad said 'arf-a-crown, now," he said sadly;
and then Madge thought it was time to cease cajolery and show a firm
front. She spoke to him seriously on the subject of an artist's
education--of its duration, its cost, its difficulties; she hinted at a
reputation which would be seriously injured by the receipt of silver
coins, and gave him to understand that the day was near at hand when the
sketch might be resold at a fabulous profit. The bargaining was
continued for a considerable time, but Madge was sharp enough to see
where she could afford to be firm, and would not concede a point.

In the end the tobacconist sighed and succumbed, but not without making
a stipulation on his own side. There were one or two trifling additions
which he wished made to the advertisem