Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-06-22
THE
IDEAL LADY
By Kathleen whiienbury Gilbert
toopyrlsht, BY Joseph Is. Bowles.)


tracted ladies flew from door to door,
tearing them open. and before even
looking to see if the car contained an
empty place, flying impatiently to tine
next. There were, of course, the usual
nuEc Der of persons to whom it was a
necessity that this particular train
should not be missed, and who pre-
ferred to stand to being left lamensing
on the platform.
Among these the catching of this
train meant much to a tall slender,
brown-eyed girl, who jumped with
agility upon the platform almost as the
train started. Entering the car, she
opened book and stood with an ex-
preston of determination to stand or
die.
She had not closed the door behind
her before she had recognized in a seat
near her youth who had often given
up his seat for her before. She had
not read word of her book before he
had risen, with a cheerful smile, and
pointed to his vacant place.
In course of time the other passen-
ers alighted one by one, and these two
found themselves almost alone.
1t was a glorious autumn evening,
| about six O'Clock. She sat in her cor
ner, her head bent over her book, the
vivid colors of the setting sun turning
her brown hair into red gold. He sat
in the corner opposite, his eyes rivetel
on her. She had taken off her gloves
and her slim white fingers clasped her
book; she sat so that her face was
three-quarters towards him, her head
bent, and her simple cotton gown fall
ing gracefully about her.
Unaware of his intent scrutiny, she
started in surprise when, suddenly
moving to the seat opposite her, he
spoke:
Il beg your pardon-but would you
think it very queer of me if | asked
you to let me draw you? Just now, as
you sit there?'
l. She raised her eyes and looked at
him. She had considered MIN a mere
everyday young man, but now she
could see a sensitive, dreamy express
sion in his eyes and around his mouth,
that stamped him an artist. She vas
SO surprised that she could say nothing
and he went on:
Il really wouldn't be bother to you,
you see-and you don't know what 1t
would mean to me-"
He had already whipped out note
book and pencil, and his long fingers
twitched as though anxious to begin.
She looked at him with chilly
smile. ITS a very odd thing to ask, -
she began icily.
You know l need not have said any
1 n of oil nj = flro
to do that-it would have seemed like
stealing"
There was something SO astonishing
in this shy boy becoming bold that The
girl laughed in spite of herself.
Very WELL" she said, and dropping
her eyes on her book, apparently gave
it her whole attention as before.
But the book might have been up
side down for all she could make oil
1t. The words danced about in front
i of her, and the sentences jumbled
themselves together. 1t was with the
greatest exertion of will power thai
she kept her eyes lowered at all. She
longed to see what those clever look
ing fingers would make of her.
At last her station was reached.
"Oh-don't-" came in a voice OF
such heart-breaking appeal, as she pre-
pared to depart.
This is my station; am going.
. she said, as the train began to slack
en- speed.
: "Oh, no. Not just yet" he cried
with ring of despair in his voice
Endeavoring to feel angry, the cir
| looked ZIP at him once more. Sh,
i y
. capable of such expression and power
While she looked she hesitated; tn
train had stopped. She still sat or
They nay that he-or she-who hes
itates Di lost; the whistle shrieked
the train gave a jerk and began t
|. glide away. She gave a sigh, burr
ing flush spread over her face and sh
:. sank back ashamed into her corner
He drew on almost savagely, cover
ing page after page of the noteboo
9 with the rough ideas.
y 1t was not until the next static
o was reached and he opened the doc
l. and stepped out to assist her, that b
d | spoke:
. 81 shall never forget what you hav
done for me to-day" he said. II onl
hope you will forgive me-"
:. When next they met, some Ion
:. months after, they stood side by sic
= before a picture-the picture. 1t ws
at soiree given at a private view
IS certain art exhibition. and I'll
is young artist, from where he stoc
n hungrily watching the different effec
IS his work had on the more Or LEI
e. casual spectators. had sudden
If turned his head to the door and see
n her come in. She had walked straigl