Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-11

She was certainly pretty. Archie
Newport had said it, and Archie New.
port was an artist and knew all abouC
those things. When she visited
Portadown mansions he used to stano
at his window and watch her alight
from a car trip across the pavemen.
holding up her dainty skirt the while
daintily, whereby he got just peep
of the tip of a most fascinating petit
coat, to say nothing of pair of ankles
the like of which could not be seen in
the eighborhoOd-and so on into
the huge building in which he oc-
cuped modest fiat.
BY the time she was in the hall, and
had nodded TO the janitor, Mr.. New
port had generality reached the dool
of his fiat, which she had to pass,
for the elevator was just opposite,
and was pulling on his gloves prepare
tory 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
und of mystery about them. They
were an Italian couple, and the
janitor, whom he interviewed, remark,
ed 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 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 fol
doubling that "it was all right" but
he took a great interest in her, and
mad reached that stage when a man
thinks that girl needs some one 70
.ooii aiter her.
oD generally came in the evening
and never appeared earlier than Z
O'Clock. From this it may be gathered
that he had studied her habits closely.
One night his chance came, though
it cannot be said that he awaited him
self of it to large extent.
Sh2-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-ar.
rived as usual at about a quarter past
T, and by the most extraordinary good
fortune he was, as usual, just going
for a walk. Consequently they me:
II 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 today" he saio,
raising his hat. Can | do anythina
for you?"
20, no, it doesn't matter!" she said,
with smile and blush. 81 can
easily run up the stairs"
IF you will allow me, shall be glad
to take you up in the elevator" he
said. I'm a tremendous dab at
elevators"
He took his place in the car as he
spoke, and waited for her TO join him.
She gazed at him in a little perplexity.
1t is probable that his impulsive good
ness took her breath away and it was
borne in upon him that she was really
quite the prettiest girl he had seen.
II really couldn't think OF
troubling you" she stammered.
The painter assured her with so
much solemnity that. so far from be-
ing a trouble, it would be source Of
almost inexpressible happiness, tina,
her look Of perplexity vanished, and a
smile broke over her face.
If you are quite sure II would not
be taking up TOO much Of your time, !"
she murmured, and stepped into the
elevator.
He decided to paint the scene. sub
shutting a gondola for the elevator.
and run it into his picture.
Which floor do you want to go tor"
ne asked, automatically, though he
knew that Mr. and Mrs. Ferrari lived
on the third
I think it's the third she muir
INJURED. It's Mr.. Ferrari's fat am
going to-"
He closed the door and gave the
cord mighty pull. Perhaps he over.
did the pulling, or perhaps elevators.
Ike human beings, are endowed with
a special talent for contrariety.
Whatever II was, the fact remains