Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-16
NOTYET
BY
JOE ANDERSON NORRIS
Copyright, 1904, by BAily Story Pub. Coz

common to rude, young and unsophis-
ticated countries. She located in a
small downtown studio and becoming
suddenly afflicted with a homesick
loneliness that struck cold to the mar
row of her soul commenced to frater-
nize with whomsoever happened to be
available. This was Louise Markham,
her nearest neighbor, who occupied
studio on the second floor above.
Clinging to her eagerly she inadver-
tently made a study Of her life.
This girl painted little water color
sketches Of somewhat impossible heads
with dreamy eyes too close together
and red hats. Sometimes she sold
these little pictures, but oftener 1t ap-
peared that she did not. She kept
house in a light way in her studio; and
as is the rule in such cases, unless her
friends took her out to lunch or din
ner, she lived on air.
She was not without a certain charm.
Very courteous, with hoarsely must
cal voice in which there lurked consid-
cradle fascination unless heard toe
continuously, fortunately for Judith
she was bent upon being agreeable,
upon starting the western girl off in
a society way-if the inhabitants OF
a building Of Offices and studios can
be called society-advantag as
possible by introducing her as hei
friend.
Going the rounds with her she last
of all introduced her to Gilbert, an
other artist of male persuasion.
So far as appearances went he was
rather a superior artist. His studio
was furnished in fashion bordering
upon elegance, in black oak, the
screens and drapePies in green to
match the canvas with which the walls
were covered.
AS a matter Of fact, judging casual
". Judith was almost led to believe
that he made money. Either that OF
he had developed skill bordering
upon the marvellous in the way Of bor-
rowing 1t.
People were never 80 entertaining tc
her as upon the occasion of talking
about the most interesting possible
thing to themselves; but before she
had been with him ten minutes she
had to acknowledge that Gilbert over
did it. He was so deeply, 80 aston
ishingly and profoundly interested In
himself the wonder Of 1t was to hel
that he found time to paint.
And a greater wonder that he could
have the heart to waste moment o.
that precious time on other people.
And yet 1t seemed that he found sew
eral moments to waste upon Louise
Once. twice, thrice even he paused in hi'
subdued monotone relative to his ca
reer artistic, past, present and to come
embracing semi-occasional and brie
illusions to various and sundry ar
editors for whom he had worked, fol
whom he was engaged in working, ant
for whom he expected at some future
date to work, to point out the merits
of his own masterpieces and show he
how it was done.
When finally they tore themselve
away-he had not half finished his bi
ography. but Judith determined /
should wait-and landed safely in tn
hall. Louise clasped ecstatic hands to
gether and raised her eyes ceilingward
isn't he lovely?" she cried. Love
lyp
Lovely enough" assented Judith
"but there is one serious objection u
him"
WHAT" sharply
"He is too unselfsh He Is wrappe'
I'D in the outside world to the exclu
sion of himself"
WHAT" again.
Unhappily Louise did not always un
derstand
"It is my lunch time" explained Ju
dith. "Will you come out with me-?
mo-" refused Louise, with her pc
litely elastic smile. Il will have m
| lunch III my obuuAO'
Judith suppressed a groan at tn
thought of those lunches Of hers.
wafer and a glass Of water. A cracke
and a cup of tea Worse! One da
she had found her lunching on burn
potatoes.
A week later she drifted into Judith
studio, not hilariously as was custom
airy with her, but in depressed way
as if crushed by something.
Judith looked up from her drawn
and back again.
why aren't you laughing" sh
asked her. Ordinarily she laughed.
Judith was homesick enough. Some
times she was homesick enough to di'
Cheerful company in so much as 1t en-
livened her was therefore grateful
But she had to confess that there wer
moments spent in the society OF Louis
which she would rather have sper
alone.
Louise sat down and swept her han
across her eyes.
"I feel more like crying" said she.
"Why?"
"He is married"
"He? Who"
colbert"
Judith put down her work.
GLOW did you find 1t out?" interrt
gated sne.
al asked him accidentally, never fc
a second thinking he could be, and /
told me he was"
'Its a mighty good thing" rum
mated Judith, that you accidental
asked him"
"Why?" quickly.
Judith turned upon her. 49,