The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-09-02
r.: Has and ln<lliseacen
BEL AIR, MO-, SEPT. 2, 1904.

"My dear child" he remarked pater-
nally, you do some very clever china
work. Don't try TO get beyond it and
Set up as critic. There never was Il
man who settled here with new
furniture He can't be an artist" Then
the conversation dropped. There was
no arguing with Tolliver when he call
ed one dear child"
A few weeks later she had birth
day party. Early in the morning the
occupants Of the other studios began
10 arrive. each with some little token
and the invariuble inquiry as to wheth-
or Bascom had been invited to the
her that they should be So interested
in his possible appearance, but she
readily answered that he would No
objection being offered. she personally
rounded up Bascou when the time Of
the party arrived and got him across
the hall ON the plea that she needed
help in the preparation OF the supper.
Bascom had interposed many ohjec-
lions when she had Invited him, but
she had pleaded with him. and on her
assurance that the attitude of the 9TH
ers had materially changed he decided
to risk 1t because she wanted it.
She never realized that the abate
mcnt of the criticism WAS because she
was openly his champion and the rest
had decided to respect her ''dclusion,"
as they termed it, She was so happy
getting the spread ready that lie never
noticed the clock until all of the prep
arations had been made
"Why, it's o. she said wOnderingly.
Il asked them to come in about 8. I'll
take Il little run down the hall and re-
mind some of them"
Rascom sank into the easy chair in
front of the camel coal fire. Camel
coal was IL luxury in the IIolbein flats,
but he had sent two scuttlefulS that
morning in honor of d event. Alice
ran down the hall To Iolliver's door.
There pinned to Il panel was the sign.
Gone To the theaIer. She retraced
her steps To the stairway. On every
door WAS some card giving notice that
the owner had gone out. She de-
cendcd To the lower floors. Apparent
Iy not a soul remained in the building.
Bascom by the fireplace was startled
by the tiny figure that darted in and
sank Sobbing upon the homemade coZy
corner.
Ii Pok small questioning to get at
the trouble. The cause he already
In had
taken was all he needed to ask.
Il wouldn't have minded so much"
she sobbed, only l did so want them
to meet you and see how nice you
really were"
did you get it all up for me- he
demanded eagerly.
She nodded. That isn't the worst
of it." she confessed. Il even invented
the birthday. Mine was seven months
away and | couldn't wait. l thought
they would he more apt to come to Il
birthday party. Now l h;rve all their
presents and they wouldn't come"
lie drew the fearful little face down
upon his shoulder. Little girl" he
said gently, don't you think they
would be more apt to come to Il we'd
ding"
II couldn't invent that" she pro-
tested in muffled voice.
Its very easy" he PERSISTED. Just
say yes l will look after the rest. l
have wanted to ask you for long
time"
Even Tolliver came to the wedding
and led the chorus of He's a jolly
good fellow" as he poured several
quarts or rice down the elevator shaft
after the departing pair. James had
discovered that Bascom really had TO
work for Il living, and that the studio
had been furnished by Il maiden aunt,
who insisted that he be started right.