Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-20

Miss Vale appeared serenely unaware
of the existence of another person besides
Mr.. and Mrs. Byllsby.
IF you come to my room I'll show you
the work that has kept me prisoner these
few days past" she said one morning.
Patty felt unusually desperate that morn
ing. Mr. Dale's luncheon had been put up
over two hours ago, yet he was still put
tering around out at the barn: and Patty
has to go to Manchester for days shop
ping.
There" Miss Vale said earnestly, Mrs.
Bylsby will you study this minute and
tell me just what it suggests to you?
This was large pen-and-ink drawing,
boldly and skillfully done.
Patty silently studied the half-crouching
figure, and the agonized womans face
THE woman is terribly frightened" she
said slowly, but she is defiant She would
kill any one who touches her now"
Miss Vale drew a deep breath.
1T is all right then. You please me
greatly. Mrs. Byllsby. See. this is the line
that the picture is intended to illustrate"
And she hastily scrawled underneath Like
a wounded animal at bay
Now here is another drawing which L
made several weeks ago for the same line.
What do you think of this?'
Il don't like it, Patty answered quickly;
1.-THE woman is frightened and angry, but
she looks fussy, as if she would fret and
scold at whoever is troubling her That
other woman wouldn't speak-she would
strike and strike to KILL but in silence -
THAT is exactly what 1 was asked
to express" said Miss Vale. She laughed
half bitterly, and added: The author crit
icsed this one as looking more like an old
hen whose chickens had been molested.
Patty laughed; and Miss Vale spoke
again, softly and refiectively. Il quarreled
with my best friend over that illustration.
Patty murmured sympathetically.
And l told him to take his silly book and
go somewhere into the woods with it.
That was too bad Patty said vaguely,
wishing she knew the right thing to say
The little woman did not know that the
magnificent Miss Vale longed to throw
herself beside Pattys chair and pour out
the whole story.
4 am obliged to go away today MISS
Vale" said Patty, rising. viii you object
to having cold lunch at noon|
Not at all, Mrs. Byllsby; leave it on the
table and I'll help myself
Seated in the light wagon beside Billy
Patty peered anxiously around. Has he
gone, Billy?'
who, Dale? oh, yes, he's gone
I'm glad. l should have worried for fear
he might go in and find her at lunch
Well for Pattys peace of mind that she
could not look in at her own pretty dining
room at II o'clock. There sat Mr.. Dale
his long legs stretched out, enjoyably sur
veying the lunch from which he had re-
moved the covers.
said, aloud "A put-up lunch tastes all right
in the woods. but" He stopped, listen
ing. Did he hear sound on the stairs
Surely not; he was alone IN the house,
cold ham, thin and pink he continued
aloud: cold chicken tender; lettuce ana
cress, crisp and fresh homemade bread
sweet and wholesome; these GENEROUS oeI
ries-" He listened again. a most de-
lghtful lunch, if He sighed sadly, ana
leaned his head upon his hand.
If he had looked toward the SIDE door ne
might have seen the great dark eyes OF
Miss Vale, as from her vantage point on
alaaA
the transom above the door. She couIo
hear him distinctly.
tered, without Louise? Oh, Louise, II
you only knew
Miss Vale stepped down, opened the door
silently and peered in. He seemed not 10
notice the slight movement, and she stole
softly around and stood by his side
Louis she whispered
He turned quickly and caught her.
'Oh. Louise, my darling! Is it really you?
Have you come to me at last? If only you
could know now 1 have missed you-how
sorry l have been--
She chung to him, sobbng and laughing
nervously.
Don't, Louis; it was all my fault-the
drawing was horrible"
He laughed like a boy, and kissed her
again and again. Then he held her out
away from him, and gazed at her tear
stained face.
Don't shed another tear he said. SOL
EMMY. Your nose is perilously near be-
ing red now
@And I'm terribly hungry she cried,
happily, and I'll thank you for at least
part of that lunch that Mrs. Byllsby left
here for me-"
They were long time over that lunch
there We're many things to talk about;
and they sat so close together, and there
were so many Interruptions
Let us go out to the orchard, Louis; /
have discovered the loveliest nook out
there
She led the way triumphantly; but on
reaching the spot looked about in dismay,
for there lay the hideous goblin pipe and
book.
oh you have found 1t, too" she cried.
mo. i didn't find it two l only found it
one and a wretchedly lone one at that.
But we two are here now" He drew her
down beside him with confident audacity.
And I'm going to make up for all these
miserable weeks"
Louis l must tell you something-I was
glad when Mrs. Byllsby said she was going
away meant to see you-for. oh, Louis,
must confess, I've known all the while that
you were here"
Dale was silent She drew closer to him
and touched his cheek caressingly and anx-
iously.
He coughed judicousy. Il suppose I
shall have to forgive you, because, you see
Louise, | knew you were coming here-be-
fore you left Boston"
She made a quick movement, but he held
her firmly Don't do that, Louise; you
don't want TO go-you know you don't. You
are happy herewith me. Don't be angry
with me again, Louise"
I'm not angry, Louis humbly. Il was
only going to pretend to be, and I'll stay
right here till Mrs. Byllsby comes
She did not know that at that instant Mr.
and Mrs. Bylsby were driving up the lane
Billy" gasped Patty, isn't that Miss
Vaile-over there-and Mr.. Dale?"
1T sure is Billy replied, imperturbably
But, Billy, he-he has his arm around
her"
IT'S a good place for it, asserted Billy,
putting his arm around Patty.
Then the truth dawned upon Patty.
Billy" she cried. hes the author-and
he said the woman looked like an old hen
and she told him to go to"
Patty" admonished Billy, sternly, no
profanity"
ITO the woods. Billy, to the woods,
clutching Blly's arm and shaking 1t vio-
lently; 'and now they've made 1t all up
and they'll be so happy-and after they are
married perhaps they will come every year
and bring"
Patty Byllsby" interrupted Billy, hold
ing her firmly will you permit your 1g-
norant and unsophisticated husband to Of
fer YOU a word of advice?"