Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-05-24


this afternoon The way you have
shut yourself rff from all of us. just
because your father dropped money in
the wrong copper mine. is ineXcusGble.
Pen-there are SO many whp loved you
in spite Of your money and love you
more now because you haven't any
won't you Gomez"
st. Anthony himself couldn't refuse
you, Kathie," said Penelope, pushing
aside her work. 81 am going, and
what is more, I shall wear my new
spring frock, made over from one that
last year l might have given to my
maid"
Penelope could say such things with
out touch of bitterness. She seemed
rather to glory in the fact that she was
self supporting. able to face the world
which had promised her so much and
then withdrawn its hypocritical smiles.
Through the open door of Hunters
studio came the click of teacups and
confused murmur of well bred voices
Jolly glad to see you" exclaimed
Hunter, looking up into Penelopes
gray blue eyes. Sometimes he had
thought that if he could have looked
down instead of up, she might have
said yes" instead of mo"
isn't it a good crowd today? You
see. | had something special to bring
them. You haven't met Lecca yet.
have you? Hello there, old chap.
want you to know Miss Gardiner You
wouldn't think he was an Italian, ell.
Pen" Hunter ratified on. "Who ever
heard of a six foot Italian, with blond
hair at that?"
MY friend Hunter said that he
would not make of me either a lion or
yet curio, but listen how he talks"
Some one turned on an electric light,
and before its flash the soft shadows Of
the studio disappeared. Penelope gave
a little gasp and slowly from Lecca's
face every vestige of color faded
Penelope recovered first.
"Ah, there is Dorothy Kent pouring
tea. l know it will be worth drink
ing" And Lecca. dazed, watched the
trail Of a shimmering cel blue voile
skirt across Hunters priceless rugs to
the tea table. There for several min
utes she stood with her back turned
full upon the group around her host
and his guest of honor.
She was the center of another laugh
ing group when she felt his compelling
gaze drawing her away from the chat
ter Hunter was speaking to her in a
tone which the tense, nervous girl did
not realize was one of remuneration.
L.: q
his traps in my farther room. He
wants to know If you would like to
see them. It's an honor Pen. Even
l have not seen the picture he expects
to exhibit at the academy next month.
He's a fine fellow. Met him last year
in Paris. Awfully glad he has taken
shine to you"
Without speaking Penelope passed
through the door whose hangings Lee
ca drew aside for her He crossed to
canvas and threw back the drapery
which hid it.
Il have named it The Old World and
the New" he said simply.
Penelope looked with widening eyes.
There was the tapestried wall of the
throne room in all its old world color
ings faded, in places almost obscure
while against it, VITAL full of grace
and vigor, was the figure of an alert
American girl clad in navy blue broad
cloth, velvet picture hat on her soft
brown hair and a great bouquet Of
Roman violets at her belt.
you see, have done what you said
something worth while-and, having
done 1t, l have come to show it to you
know that you had made it possible
1t is not for sale He drew himself
up proudly, and she reached out her
head pleadingly.
and if it was-I-I could not buy It,
Much has happened to me since the
day-in the throne room. We've have
lost everything"
"Ah" The man drew a long, deep
breath. Fate has indeed been kind
otherwise | might not speak! l was
foolish boy, unworthy son of a gifted
father, proud of my authority in the
royal guard and my toy uniform
faugh-until you came and the man in
me cried out in shame. You said /
could do it, Have | done it well
enough to please your
She bowed her head and then raised
1t again. Yes, without the helmet and
the high heels, he still lowered above
her, and then her eyes fell before his
earnest gaze.
THAT day-it was the same, the
glance, the flash, you will forgive me,
the message of love. In our country
love does not wait. Yet for five years
I have worked for you. All am you
have made. Today l may be artist to
our king. Will you Gomez"
ITO my king-yes.
And, though his next words were of
his own country the girl understood,
for the language of love is the same