The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-12-18

tie carriage with a masterfulness that
asked no permission, and she did not
demur when he took the seat beside
her
1t was not hard TO find her "sky par
lor," as Crane called 1t mentally. Off
the Rue des Spurs Claires. He called
there the next evening. and she met
him at the head of the dusty landing
with a shy dignity and led the way
into her attic apartment as IL IL had
been n Louis Quinze reception room in
pink and gold. \ young girl. younger
even than herself. sat i'm an easy chair
by the window and smiled up at him.
This is Lucille. my sister," Virginia
said simply. Cranes quick eyes no.
ticed the slim pair of crutches leaning
beside the chair. He knew why she
had posed at R!baut's and Vivon's. why
she had not hidden her poverty and
starved in silent pride.
The next time he came he brought
flowers for Lucille. and a new grateful
friendliness flashed In the others blue
eyes.
1t became a regular thing. that walk
home from Nivon's TO the Rue des
Spurs Claires. She showed him some
Of her sketches. and Crane promptly
took bunch under his arm and hawk
ed them around the art stores with a
devout persistency his own had never
known. Before a month had passed
she had picked up odd work coloring
pen and ink proofs for one of the week
lies. and at last there came a day when
she left vivon's for good, and the fu-
ture was full OF hope.
And we shall see. la-la-la: we shall
see now," laughed Yvette. He Is In
earnest. le gros Crane. The wedding
bells will 20 ding-a-ling. and the little
white faced Virginia will have roses in
| her cheeks"
"It's all your doing" Virginia told
him that night when they parted at
her door. Il was worn out and heart
sick that day when tainted. and you
| cheered me. and-and'- She falter-
| ed and held out her hand to him.
| There was a five franc piece In 1t.
"Please take II back" she said. wi
Won told me. and I think II was just
| splendid OF you"
Crane flushed hotly. but he took 1t.
| He knew her pride and that to her II
was a debt of honor.
And after today. whatf" he asked.
II shall miss the walk home, and you
| will forget Vivon's and me-"
i She bent her head low over the
bunch of pink roses he had given her
for Lucille. and something in her 81.
lence gave him courage.
virginia, II you would only give me
the right TO sweep You and Lucille
away from this. the sky parlor and the
struggle that never ends, I'm strong
and have gained footing. and you
could study then he rambled on with
boyish helplessness. 'T've loved you
ever since that day at vivon's when
your head lay on my shoulder. and
wanted TO lift You up and carry you
away from it all-Laurier and Yvctte
and old Yivon and all of them. You
seemed so different and little and
alone"
She was silent still. and he waited
Out over the city some bells were ring
inG slow. sweet chimes. and the spar
rows were fiuttering sleepily around
the caves of the sky parlor over theil
heads,
One OF the roses fell at her feet. ant
he raised IL tenderly.
"Do you think had better gof' Th'
dark blue eyes looked up at him at last
and he bent toward her eagerly. "Vir
ginia, sweetheart
She held the roses close to her lip
and smiled at him over them.
won't you come up and tell Lu
cilleT' she said softly. and he followe'
her up the long. dusty stairs to the SIX.
| parlor