Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-11-23
7TSSNISI>N~ISSINISNIN7IS

& HE was certainly pretty. Arcnle
~ Newport had said it, and Archie
Newport was an artist and knew all
about such things. When she visited
Portadown mansions he used to stand
at his window and watch her alight
from car, trip across the pavement
holding up her dainty skirt the while
daintily. whereby he got just peep
of the tip of the most fascinating pet
ticOat. to say nothing of a pair OF ank-
les the like of which could not be seen
in the neighborhood-and SO on into
the huge building in which he occupied
a modest fiat.
BY the time she was in the hall, and
had nodded to the janitor, Mr.. New
port had generally reached the door
of his fiat which she had to pass, for
the elevator was just opposite, and
was pulling on his gloves preparatory
to sallying out
He discovered that she visited the
people on the third floor, and he set
himself to learn as much as he could
about them. There seemed to be a
kind of mystery about them. They
were an Italian couple, and the janitor,
whom he interviewed, remarked that
he didn't know that they were much
good"
Mr.. Newport provided his informant
with the kind of refreshment which
latent mesmerism generally demands,
and returned to his studio.
Strange thing!" he reflected, as he
gayly painted Venice by Moonlight, -
with the confidence of a man who has
never travelled farther than New York.
Cant imagine why nice girl like
that can want to have anything to do
with such people, Hope it's all right.
He had no particular reason for
doubling that lit was all right" but
he took a great interest in her, and
had reached that stage when man
thinks that a girl needs some one to
look after her.
She generally came in the evening,
and never appeared earlier than seven
o'clock. From this it may be gathe cred
that he had studied her habits closely.
One night his chance came, though
it cannot be said that he availed him.
self of it to large extent.
She-he had got into the narrow
minded way of thinking of her as
she" apparently having lost sight of
the fact that there are other people
in the world of the female sex-arrived
as usual at about a quarter past seven
and by the most extraordinary good
fortune he was, as usual, just going
for walk. Consequently they met in
the hall.
The janitor happened to be out, and
the elevator boy was likewise absent
so Archie Newport stepped into the
breach.
I'm afraid the boy who looks after
the elevator is not here to-day" he
said, raising his hat. Can | do any
thing for you?"
80, no, it doesn't matter!" she said
with smile and blush. Il can easily
run up stairs"
''If you will allow me, shall be
glad to take you up in the elevator
he said. I'm a tremendous dab al
elevators"
He took his place in the car as he
spoke. and waited for her to join him
She gazed at him in little perplecity
1t is probable that his impulsive good
ness took her breath away, and it wa.
borne in upon him that she was reall!
quite the prettiest girl he had seen.
I'll really couldn't think of troub
ling YOU" she stammered.
The painter assured her with 81
much solemnity that, so far from he
ing trouble, it would be source o
almost inexpressible happiness, tina
her look of perplexity vanished, and /;
smile broke over her face.
''lf you are quite sure it would no
be taking up too much of your time,
she murmured, and stepped into tn,
elevator.
He decided to paint the scene. sub
shutting q gondoia for the elevator
and run Il into his picture.
Which door do you want to so tor