Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-11
TO THE RESCUE OF AN ARTIST.

The day was gray. 1t affected Gllbert's
spirits The great picture must wait till
the sun shone. He would not do II the
justice OF working at It half-heartedly.
He dismissed the model, threw a cloth
over the canvas and going to the far end
OF the studio which the gray rays from
the skylight had left in shadow, flung
himself on a couch behind the screen and
fell asleep.
By and by he was awakened by high,
sweet. girllsh voices. LAS long as the
door is open,'' said one Il suppose we
may go in. We were invited"
Isn't it odd?" exclaimed another voice.
But it's lovely" insisted a third, which
was Of n marvellous sweetness.
Gilbert rubbed open his eyes. pushed
back his heavy, brown hair, sprang up,
and emerged from behind the screen.
The studio seemed to be filed with
girls, though as a matter of fact there
were only three-Louise Racquet Miss
Lundtn and Lillian Bassett-girls he had
met at Mrs. Throckmorton's house party,
70 whom he had given thoughtless in
vitations to his studio whenever they hap
pened to be in town, never dreaming
that they would care to take advantage
OF them.
1t was the hufiness Of their light sum-
mer apparel that had the effect OF in
creasing their number
You said We might come" apologized
Miss Lundin. detecting his chagrin from
the excessive height OF her. II anybody
knew her given name she was never
called by 1t, she was so imposingly tall.
Il am glad to see you" affirmed GIL
bert, hurriedly welcoming them. II am
not awake yet and you seem part OF the
dream. That is all
with fhaf n hanhad than NhafrG
dering II there was one upon which they
would be able to sit with safety-they
were OF an age so ripe and unstable.
mo, no." they cried I'VE have only
a minute to stay. The automobile is at
the door"
Lillian Bassett had been looking out on
the roofs from the only window. She
finger.
Remember" she smiled, ''you promis-
ed to take us to lunch"
Gilbert kept his countenance.
He had one dollar in his pocket. All
the rest had gone to the model, and then
she had only been half paid. Well, no
matter. Perhaps he would encounter a
friend en- route who would lend him a
five.
Miss Bassett was inclined to be saucy
Your furniture needs covering" she
remarked, her eyes on an antiquated
dlVan. Why don't you?
II have recovered II several times" re-
turned Gilbert from behind the screen
where he was busily engaged in putting
on his cuffs and thinking up a place in
town where one dollar could be made to
satisfy the hunger OF four.
'Really?" this Is a tone of surprise.
Yes" he explained, from the bailiff."
How funny you are!' they laughed,
and added How awfully funny you
are!" as IL 1t was Joke.
Meantime Louise had surreptitiously
lifted corner Of the cloth from the great
GUS peeps at 1t, while the other two were
momentarily discovering quaint. curious
and dusty treasures in every nook and
Granny OF the room.
Presently Louise followed them.
1T isn't the thing" she whispered
Gilbert was still behind the screen
ito dust a studio; for Miss Lundin was
was walking about with her dainty skirts
carefully lifted from contact with the
floor, and Lillian admired old copper
kettles and rare blue stems from a dis
Greet distance. for fear Of soiling her
little, white silk gloves.
But the rugs seem to be glued to the
floor" they whispered back
Maybe they are so expensive" sug-
gested Louise, that he does 1t to keep
people from taking them for souvenirs"
How do you heat it?" queried Miss
Lundin, looking about for the pipes and
seeing only q rusty and timeworn CRATE.
II don't" answered Gilbert; but / am
ready now II you are"