Democratic messenger., 1904-09-10


suit himself. he made tumble of il,
and each mornings installment was
written In Il different mood. At last he
destroyed II and began over again.
wondering what was the matter with
him.
He soon found out Meanwhile he
found himself at an ineXplicable stand
still In his acquaintance with Joanna.
who seemed to avoid him. One day
he entered the studio while she was
posing, and her eyes met his with a
question new. TO them. The same day
she broke off in the midst OF song
TO ask:
ITO compose heart breaking thing
like that did he have to have the
experience himsclf?"
Not necessarily. II he had sufii-
cicnt artistic Imagination he would
get better perspective Of the suffer.
ing of another"
She struck up n gay melody. but her
face was thoughtful. Then her mood
changed, and he could not keep up
with her brilliant sallies She teased
and dared him, half bewildered and
wholly charmed him. He decided that
she could fiirt most gloriously and
was ready for her. but by evening she
was again unapproachable.
The next morning he was called to
the studio. where he found Joanna pos
ing listlessly. Phil was irritated and
critical.
''She can't get II. Help her, How
bridge. There has to be man anyway.
You know how the scene ought to
CO."
Il may do for attitude" he said
calmly. but keep my face out-the
dear public knows 1t. Ready? Tell
me If the pose is not right"
But he knew II was. He walked to
her side and drew her into his arms,
with his face against her hair and her
hands In his. He quivered. knowing
his touch meant nothing to her-that
she was only posing.
When II was over he thought II out
in his room. And nearly all night he
wrote his own story-and Joanna's-
just as II was-how he had met and
came to love her. He pat into 1t his
heart and soul. going beyond fact only
In making her finally yield to his plea
for her love. 1t was morning when he
finished.
After breakfast he told Phil to let
the pictures go for awhile. got the
sketches of Joanna, locked them up
and went to touching up his work Of
the night preceding. Surely 1t would
move her-it would tell her better than
spoken words.
After luncheon he slipped the manu-
script under the door and waited. He
heard her enter the room. He walked
the floor. but all afternoon she made
no sign.
At dinner her head was high, her
cheeks pink and her eyes very bright.
and later she asked Howbridge to go
up the river. They walked silently to
the canoe. Joanna took the paddle, and
bade lIowbridge not to talk. He did
not wish to. 1t was enough to look Mt
her and wait till she let him ask her
about their story. AS they glided near
the shore in blurring tree shadows she
spoke.
THAT is good story. congratulate
you on your success" Could she be
Joking? '.The plot Is clever, the char
acters are true to life and 1t is full Of
feeling" Her tone was cutting.
Joanna! Don't you understand? ?
DON'T
II understand perfectly. You came
for material. and you got It. Phil says
you are going TO see your publishers
tomorrow. Well, you needn't return
despise you. You not only made me
care. but you dared to show me to
what advantage you use my love. I
shall get over it."
JOANNA Her eyes blazed.
"And you dared to touch me when
my brothers presence made me power
less TO resent 1t, and you knew what 1t
meant to me? Oliver Howbridge.
you but he stopped her.
Its my turn now. love you. The
story was written for you alone-no
one else will see II. 1t Is the story Of
my heart, dear. thought you would
understand. 1t was my way of telling
you that life is made of wanting you.
Don't you see? Can't you love me. JoY'
Her anger died away. Tears stood In
her eyes. but her laugh was saucy. pro-
voking
"Yes. Oliver. but not enough to die
with you just yet"
"DieT
"Yes. We will. II you don't stay
where you are and stop tipping the
canoe" She was her old teasing self
1t was shamefully late before she
would land and let her lover take her
into his arms. and into his heart for
all time.