Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-06-20

out touch OF bitterness. Sne seemed
rather to glory in the fact that she was
self supporting, able to face the world
then withdrawn its hypocritical smiles.
Through the open door of Hunters
studio came the click Of teacups and q
confused murmur of we'll bred voices.
''Eolly glad to see you." exclaimed
Hunter, looking up into Penelope's
gray blue eyes. Sometimes he had
thought that II he could have looked
down instead OF up, she might have
said YES" instead of No
isn't 1t good crowd today? You
see, had something special TO bring
them. You haven't met Lecca yet,
have you? Hello there, old chapl
want you to know Miss Gardiner. You
wouldn't think he was an italian, eh,
Pen?" Hunter ratified on. who ever
heard Of six foot Italian, with blond
hair ut that?"
My friend Hunter said that he
would not make of me either q lion or
yet a 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 | know it will be worth drink
ing" And Lecca, dazed. watched the
trail of shimmerlng ciel 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
ana 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
tone which the tense, nervous girl did
not realize was one of remuneration.
''Lecca has been unpacking some of
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 fine fellow. Met him last year
in Paris. ,Awfully glad he has taken
Il shine to you"
Without speaking Penelope passed
through the door whose hangings Lee
ca drew aside for her He crossed to
a 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 tapestrted wall of the
throne room In all It's old world color
ings faded, in places almost obscure,
while against 1t, 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 great bouquet of
Roman vfolets Mt her belt.
You see, have done what you said
something worth whiIe-and having
done ii, l have come to show it to you
and your people. l wanted you to
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 itywas-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. Pate has indeed been kind;
otherwise l might not speak! l was
a foolish boy, unworthy son of gifted
father, proud of my authority in the
royal guard and my toy uniform
faugh-untfl you came and the man in
me cried out in shame. You said |
could do 1t. Have l done it we'll
enough to please your
She bowed her head and then raised
it again. Yes, without the helmet and
the high heels, he still lowered above
heL 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
1 have worked for you. All | am you
have made. Today | may be artist to
our king. VIII you Gomez
ITO my klng-yes."
And. though his next words we're of
his own country. the girl understood.
for the language Of love is the same
in the old world and in The new.