The Lambertville record., 1903-03-25
w III f N
THE MOON
BURNED
RED By WINTHROP
A> - ~ ALLEN
Copyright, 1909. bB McCiure's Newspaper
Syndicate


.Do fairies thrive In China or do the
maidens of the moon affect the garb
Celestial?"
Hugh Cannon gazed eurieusly at the
figure In the dainty kimono as he
spoke.
Neither" she replied, with a rip
pling laugh. II am an ordinary NOR
tai like yourself, driven by the heat to
the housetops. | did not suppose that
any one else would be here ut this
hour and there was no use trying to
sleep"
Il have observed" said Cannon Ia
ztly, that in Il fiathouse of this sort
the inhabitants are SO afraid OF being
compared to the dwellers of tenements
that they deprive themselves of many
privileges, Including the roof In sum-
mer. After the heat of the last three
days I'd be willing to brave public
opinion rather than put In another
night In that stuffy plgeonhole down
stairs"
~ feel equally desperate" responded
the girl, but her voice sounded brisk
and alert rs compared to the weary,
dragging tones of the man. And as
we have decided to suffer In the open
rather than conceal our anguish per-
haps"- She hesitated, but the far
away look had come back In Cannons
eyes. He was staring again at the
hazy, crimson glow that hung over a
distant roof garden. You, l believe,
are Mr.. Cannon unless your doorplate
bears false Witness"
You can't expect much from ten
cent doorplate." laughed Hugh, pulling
himself together. "But In this case 1t
tells the truth. l am Hugh Cannon,
very much ut your service. And you
are the girl across the hall"
She laughed In turn, that rippling.
yet self reliant laugh which Hugh had
heard more than once across the hail.
II admit the charge. l am Patrice
Birchard, and. according to the ethics
of flat life. we should have met across
the dumbwaiter shaft weeks ago. Now
az we have ut last come together in
this most unconventional fashion tell
me am l interrupting you? The jani-
tress informs me you write. IL you are
shaping up plots here In the moonlight.
don't hesitate to say so, and I'll 60"
Don't think of It," he urged, catch
Ing fold of her klmono In a OBTAINING
l,t lit,
plots! This awful heat seems to have
gone to my head and was doing moth
| ing better than having bad half hour
with my conscience. 1t Is not good In
hot weather to admit even to yourself
that you are a failure, but up here In
the quiet my thoughts would travel
that way. l can understand now why
men go forth to seek the eternal heat
In the summer time"
She shot n startled glance In his d.
rection. "Is 1t as bad as thatf" she
murmured softly.
"WOrse." he admitted. II don't
know why | should bore you with my
troubles, but 1t eases my mind to talk.
SIX months ago l came to town to win
my way as story writer. l have
placed four short stories and have had
forty come back. The serial upon
which | counted the most was the
worst blow of all. Half the publish
ers wouldn't read 1t ut all; were
showed under with manuscripts. |
took 1t to new, practically unknown
publisher last week, and he agreed to
have 1t read-some time. If 1t comes
back, I'm going to quit. | can work
on a farm IL can't write"
Il know just how you feel" said the
girl. II draw, and that's worse than
writing. At one time 1t seemed to me
that the world was dead to art, and l,
too, wanted to go home. 1t was hard
fight, but | stayed, and now I'm glad
/ did. Don't give up, for the tide will
turn when you least expect 1t. Perhaps
If I'd illustrate one of your stOries'-
A flush mantled her cheek. and she
paused nervously
"Would you do 1t? II had you for
partner. | know l could succeed"
His voice almost broke over the words
my ideas are not half bad but have
no name, no standing. But your pie
lures would catch the editors eye.
VIII you chance with me on story or
twoY
She took his outstretched. trembling
hand.
at is PROMISE" she declared.
He leaned back against the chimney
and half closed his eyes.
I'D like to write story" he mused,
"and put you In just as you are, per-
feet picture In that kimono. The gold
embroidery gives Just the right touch,
and the rich red In contrast to the
white of your throat and the dark
masses of your hair-oh, l wish was
nm artlstw he broke off disconnectedly.
She laughed In an embarrassed fash
ion, and the swift flush again man
tied her cheek. but he did not seem
to notice Il.
"Some day Will draw a picture OF
you as the hero. Wen have to open
up an exchange bureau In compliments
IL you keep ON at this rate. But, &C.
riously, l am something OF prophet
ess. and predict that the tide Is ready
to turn Tor you"
you're awfully comforting" he
murmured gratefully. when you
came up here His glance Travelled
toward the low coping on the edge Of
the roof. "You read of people falling
Off roofs In summer time. How many
do 1t by accident and how many with
actual intentionY'
Again Patrlce looked at him anx-
iously. His hands We're clasped about
his knees and his eyes glowed
strangely.
"Oh, you can't understand how lone
some Eve been. I've been hungry for
the sound of woman's voice. and
since I've been In this house I've sat
and listened to your singing and Won
dered II any one would ever sing like
that-for me"
Silence fell between them. The girl
was thinking hard and fast. 1t was the
heat the awful heat, that had nearly
unbalanced his mind. Perhaps she had
come Just In time. And he had q