Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-07-06

planned PAT.
building. and it did not take him long
mentally to fix the status Of each new
conner. But to Miss Vandervier, for
some reason. he vouchsafed peculiar
attention, studying her face whenever
unobserved with sharp intentness. He
nodded again.
Il hope you will find it agreeable.
miss" he said as he gave the fire Il
rafting poke. I'VE are rather a nice
lot" judicially.
THANK you" responded the girl
gratefully. 1t was bit lonely-this
much boosted independence. care there
are there many other girls here?"
Pat waved the poker.
"Well, there's Miss Delano," he re-
Elected aloud. "She's water, and Miss
Brown in oils, and Miss Merriton, who
charcOals. All nice. quiet young ladies
as you'd wish to find. But the young
gentlemen"-lifting eloquent hands
'them's the noisy lot! All but Mr..
Lawrence. that Is" consideringly.
Miss Vandervier jumped.
Mr.. Lawrence?" she echoed family.
The old Irishman nodded.
"Mr. Robert Lawrence. You'll no
doubt have been seeing his things.
Some likes 'em. But, as for me, likes
a bit Of color meself," gazing admir-
ingly at fragment Of vivid blue Vene-
tian water and sky. But, sure. Mr..
Lawrence amt troubling the paints
much these days." barking back to his
subject with a sigh. But, we'll, WELL"
suddenly changing his tone. II must be
going. Good evening, miss. And IL
there's anything you want don't hest
tate to call upon old Pat for it."
But the girl had drawn near the door.
Isis anything the matter with Mr..
Lawrence?" she asked in a carefully
Indifferent voice. IL think l used to
know him in Paris"
did you. now" The old man shook
his head. "'Tis very sick fear he is,"
he answered soberly. Pm thinking
that II no one comes to nurse him it's
to the hospital he will be going. We've
written his family, but they must be
away. The doctor said that IL no one
came he'd most likely be took tonight.
IT'S sad to hear him, MISS"
"Sad?" repeated the girl, with avert
ed face.
HE do be calling all the time" ex-
planned Pat. Marion, Marion it's
that he's Whispering"
'MariOnT" faltered the girl. She
bent forward. you are-you are sure?"
she demanded tensely.
Marion or Maude or maybe it's
Mary" returned Pat indifferently. "I'm
not good on remembering names. But
1t must be some one he's terrible fond
Of. His whole studio Is filed with pic
lures Of one young lady, drawn every
kind Of a way. 'Twould fair surprise
you. He's sure got his eye ON some
one" droll smile tightening the cor.
ners of his mouth.
well. wish she'd come, then" the
sigh returning. I'D have a Job for
her. But good night again. MISS" rec.
ollecting himself with a start. Here ]
am gossiping away when I should be
doing my work. And don't trouble
your head about Mr.. Lawrence. He'll
most likely pull through" And with q
final clatter Of the poker he was gone
But 1t Is very easy to tell person
not to trouble. To follow such an in.
junction is different matter Miss
Vandervier's face as she turned back
to the Pickering log wore changed
expression. Bob Lawrence upstairs
and i'll! That In all the big city OF
New York she should have happened
upon the very building which sheltered
Bob! What could be more unfortu
nate? This had been the first thought
which leaped to her mind as the ole
man chartered on, followed, however
by the cOnsoling reminder that they
need not therefore necessarily meet.
And then. with n shock, the unexpect.
edness of which set her a-quiver. had
come the news of his illness and de-
lirium. For n moment cold finger
seemed laid upon her heart. Bob IL
and calling for another girl!
Yet why should she care? She did
not. she told herself. with quick toss
of the head. She had taken that chance
when she sent him away. He had been
hers first. hers utterly. A sudden VI
sion Of those old Paris days rose before