The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-05-18

I've always felt | must sucCee..
even when the impolite and intrusive
wolf sat grimly OIL my door mat he
thought. "And now that Marchmont.
the magnatc. has just ordered his por-
trait. have little to fear"
lie walked over TO where an unfin-
lshed canvas on an easel showed
girls charming face.
How different this winter is from
last" he unused. "Then you were my
companion at the art classes, my lit
tie friend from the country, studying
OH so faithfully, but painting so bad.
~; this year the protegee of your rich
aunt and chronlcled In the papers as
Miss Delorme. the new beauty. ] can
understand her ideas when she de-
cided you were worth chapcronlng
Her own girls are placed-one the wife
Of consumptlvc lord, the other Of n
banker close to seventy. Now you are
on the auction block, going, going but
not yet gone-not yet, thank heaven!"
And the eyes I'm his pale face had the
expression OF n soldier In battle. 1--WE
taken Aunt Mary's polite and unmIs-
| taxable hint that | am to her an un.
welcome worshlper at your shrlne-'no
beggars or artists allowed'-but ! may
| win yet"
lie took letter from his pocket. It
showed signs Of many readings. Now,
with his head thrown back as he
loungcd I'm n big chair before the fires
blaze he read II again:
This is tho last night Of the opera. my
friend why don't you go? i've discover
| cd the ethics of Aunt Mary's campaign.
| and | know why you como no more. In
| fact, my visitors arc now narrowed ex-
| cluslycly 10 those who know the merry
| clip OF the scissors as tho coupons fall.
| IL I'm right. let's have our vengeance.
| Go to the old place In the gallery tonight.
| where I've so often sat with you and Ted
| and Mabel and will again. Wo can mako
| eye notes about Melba. with the horseshoe
sweeping bet yeen us. What fun to cheat
| Aunt Mary. She thinks. foolish woman,
| I'm easy to mold because I'm little but
although Ivo made no fuss over her treat
ment OF my old friends. Two my own way
OF getting my own way. Two given aunt
| her fling with me this winter to please
mother. so for tho nonce I'm pleasing
myself. RUTH
docs this mean anything more than
chumshlp? I'll find out tonight"
He took pen and paper and, having
written and destroyed several sheets
finally appeared fairly satisfied with
one, which he kissed before folding It,
his eyes heavy with love.
He put the note, with the flowers.
back in the box. while the violets,
seeming n romance, nuttered eXcitedly
as they were taken from the studio
On table In pretty boudolr on
Madison square cluster of orchids in
an eastern vase and bunch of wood
violets in small jug waited the com.
Ing of Ruth Dclormc.
1--WE beg your pardon" drawled the
orchids after long stare, "but did
you come from Brghtons? Are we
mistaken, or did we see you there to-
day? It's so hard to tell exactly; you
lack individuality, you know"
Rustling with excitement Mt the
meeting the vlolcts nodded their fra
grant heads.
"The same" they answered bravely.
"Well, of all the luck" broke In the
winged aristocrats "But you'll be sure
to make some break and queer your
selves. That's one comfort"
Just then Ruth entered.
She was so dalntily lovely In her
gown OF white, 6lmy lace. The violets
were sure they saw an angel ut last.
Her eyes We're Just like themselves,
they thought, or as they might look II
| n star lurked In the heart of each
In the gloom of the firelit room she
did not see the little blue worshlpers
and carelessly picked up the small en-
velope beside the orchids.
"a small thing to secrete such
weighty, apoplectlc alteration" she
thought, with mutinous look, and
rapidly glanced over the lines, num-
bling them half angrily:
my Dear Miss Delormo-Your aunt-um
l-um-given the privilege of speaking to
you tonight. You know-um-um-I would
say. VIII be there at s. You will be
Ialone-um-um-before we leave-opera.
Hope you will wear the lowers-um-um-
JAMES ARMSTRONG.
"Well, Jcemes," she Knocked, come
an you will No doubt you will have
fortified your usual brilliance with an
extra glass for the occasion. Your
burgundy blush will present the deep.
er hue of the plum when you get my
answer Ugh! Why can't they let mo
aloncE"
The maid entered, bringing Ruth's
carriage shoes, and before putting