The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-20
HIS IDEAL MODEL.

| Mr.. Reginald Vernham was an artist
and lived in a garnet; not so much
that it was the correct thing to do as
that it was the most economical.
| Being young and a bachelor, he be-
lieved in love. 1t is only married mer
who are women matters.
| In his minds eye he slxetched the wo-
man he longed to meet, but with a
longing that was tempered with ankle
ty that he would meet her, and in one
fell Swoop lose the material for future
dreams. For in stature Mr.. Vernham
| was short-five-feet-six to be exact.
His ideal was five-feet-seven She was
a. Queenly woman. Her glorious
/ golden brown hair was piled in luXu-
uriant masses on the crown of ner
head She had dark gray eyes that flash
ed scornfully till they met his, when
they became soft and melting. Her
short upper lip-displaying a set of rare
ipearls-was curved in a disdainful
smile save when they We're pouted for
the kiss that in mere wantonness he
withheld till they quivered beseeching-
With smile he rose to his feet after
one such dream and laid mis- cold pipe
upon the Uttered table.
"Bahi What a fool am" he mutter-
ted; AS If she'd look alta fellow like
Crossing over to his easel he stood
! for a minute drinking in the beauty of
the face on the canvas. 1t was that of
mis- ideal woman He had painted her
fully as he thought how he had paid
his half-year's rent only last week by
the sale of one of these pictures.
ITO a dirty little dealer, too" he re-
called with bitter self-contempt, who
will sell it to any brute who takes a
fancy to her.
He shuddered at the thought as if he
had sold the girl herself.
Picking up his soft hat he strobe to
the door and plunged down the stairs
almost on top of an ascending figure.
Startled by his sudden apparition
the girl-he could tell it was girl
by instinct rather than Sophisticated
back, missed her footing, and slipped
down the few steps she had mounted
with a faint cry
In an instant Reginald was by her
side.
s'Fainted, by Jove, orr with a
gasp. He picked the limp figure up in
his arms and stumbled into his room
with her
lady was heavy, and Reginald (truth
compels the confession) was dabby-
he placed her in his recently vacated
"Jovei" he cried as he saw her face
for the first time; my girl! Now" he
muttered, humanity mastering his de-
sire to gaze upon her as she lay there,
what ought 1 to do?'
Water" He looked vaguely
around.
his own audacity.
st suppose really I ought to-
lReginald's hands wandered slowly
round to the middle of his back-and
then he blushed.
Though an artist, he was young.
The girl released him from his diff
ficulty by signing.
Reginald pushed his hair from off
his forehead-he had rather a nice
forehead-and drew himself up to his
full height.
Tho girl onened her ewes
Gray, by Jove!"
With a startled expression she
sprang to her feet.
"Ouch!" she cried, dropping into
the chair again.
Are you hurt ?" he cried, anxiousIy
"Where-Oh, remember now,
some horrid man startled me, and I
Reginald sighed; he had been ex-
pecting this
I'm afraid it was IT, he said. mourn
fully. Have hurt you much?"
Its my ankle, think said the girl.
Anything can--?'' Reginald paus-
ed again. The situation was not with
out embarrassment
The two looked at each other He
smiled as he caught her eyes, but grew
preternaturally grave as he took in the
expression of her face.
How did get in here?" asked the
girl, looking round the room.
Il carried you in
"You daredi' cried the girl in the
tone Reginald had decided she was to
use toward the rest of the world only
II beg your pardon" he said, hum
bly,, but I couldn't leave you on the
stairs, you know
Two dimples appeared on the girls
cheeks. What an ass, he had never
thought of dimples.
Il suppose not" she agreed. dropping
her eyes.
Got the lashes all right, decided
Reginald complacently.
III carry YOU out there again if YOU
like he cried, anxious to please.
81 think not" said the girl. TIL wait
for papa now am here. Ohl'' she cried
turning to him quickly, II suppose you
are the artist -
Il certainly am an artist owned
Reginald. I hope to be called the ar
list later on
II mean YOU are Reginald Yernharn.