Evening journal., 1907-04-10
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rather when two frank and twenty.
and at the time compacently and
conspicuously IN love with each other.
7 am not aware that II is a condition in which
cuses are properly made. Unquestionably they
would themselves dare say, rudely resent anv ex-
tenuation OF their conduct. And any one else. rs
matters ultimately turned out will not greatly be
inclined to lay at their doors the obsolescent charge
of indelcacy Cecelia-Cecelia Francesca Purvs
and Lucius Prettyman did not.
To elaborate bit-Fanny Denton and Cecelia
Francesca shared together battered apartment on
the roof OF a great gloomy, rambling structure de-
voted to the housing of courageously impecunious
art students. say the roof since the case was
lust that: they lived in insecure-iooSing story
which the thrifty owners OF the building had hastily
constructed on the top Of everything 10 contain a
new lot more courageous and more impecunious
than the rest. Somewhere down the canal-ke halls
FRITZ Allen also had a studio and Lucius Pretty
man another.
In the daytime the four OF them worked at art
school nearby. Cecilia did miniatures. in very
ladylike and miniature way Fanny inclined to
conventional designing; and as for Denton and Lu-
cius. the former dashed ont fictitious Illustrations
for hs fictitious imaFinings. while Lucius toiled
worrisomey along in the life class" and brooded
deeply over the possibilities OF large. depressing
canvases devoted to the depicting OF death Of
famous generals. and ike inspiring subjects.
or q truth It cannot be said Of Cecilia and Luz
cius that they were IN the bloom OF their youth.
though to be sure Cecelias spirit was innocently
Inexperienced to an appalling degree. and she was
wont to clothe herself IN garments of Imply
tistic dranery suggesting in hue at least the I'M
mortal. hllthc Botticei maidens. At any rate her
soul was youthful and her nature unsolhsh and
beautiful
Luoius probably never young. The unplla-
BILE strands Of his nature seemed never TO loosen.
His high pale brow betokened IN its concentrated
little knot OF lines above the nose spirit furrowed
with the ploughshare Of Serious Effort He
moved in and out among his fellows. n gentle.
shabby eood-tempered abnormally SHY creature
whom all loved when they were not consumed with
helpless rage at the ponderous precision Of his
mental and physical workings.
II was natural enough that the four Of them. iiv-
ing together IN the "Roost'--so they called the
parious top story-should be much in each others
company Youthful art Is not a peculiarly solitary
profession; and moreover. their frank poverty. and
the franker attachment OF Fritz TO Fanny gave ad-
ditiona strength TO their bond
To Cecilia the wooing Of her roommate afford
ed a frst-hand observation Of what to her the
most tbriningly beautiful and complex emotion Of
the world. Fanny herself. being somewhat prac-
tical even In the affairs Of her heart. did not en-
courage ceceiia's sentimental out-breathings So
It happened that Cecilia fell into the habit Of
hding the progress of the delicate footsteps Of love
to Lucius Prettyman
The two men. OF evening. would drop into the
studio OF the girls very proper apartment, to be
sure with the beds converted artessly into divans
and all the feminine evidences hid in the closet
Lucus really was brought in the beginning by
Fritz to divert Cecilia from tho fascination OF his
methods with Fanny. And It generally turned out
the two serious ones would early retire to the
kitchen--an elastic apartment made by the folding
Of screen about little gas-stoye-there to whis-
per and 10 cook up indigestble messes for refresh
ment; while Fritz and Fanny-well. II really is not
our province to disclose the sweet story OF their
affections.
Il IN late October when Fanny briefly ap-
prised Cecilia that she engaged to Fritz. Cece-
ia kissed her rapturously. My dear. my dear"
she cried softly, isn't Il wonderful"
20. don't know" remarked her friend sharpen
ing a lead pencil iudiciously. "Fritzie is nice
boy And I'm sure he's very lucky to get me-"
Cecilia was staggered. "Oh, Fanny How can
youi Oh It seems to me love is the most beaut-
full"
20. yes. everybody gets II sooner or later. they
say" broke in Fanny prosaically. 1T takes aw-
tul lot of your time, though. Heavens haven't
done thing in a month"
Dear, how can you joke about it?" sighed
Fanny looked up In surprise Mercy Cecilia.
IT'S no joke Lend me your gamboge, Will your"
Poor Cecilia, she was too bewidered to reply.
That same night Fritz lounged into Prettyman's
room. Lucius was brooding solemnly over pipe
We'll. Lucy" Fritz let fall casually "the little
girl and have hit It on"
Il beg your pardon" said Lucius uncertainty
Fanny and I. you engaged-Iove true
love- undying grnned Fritz with appreciation
Lucius rose with grave ceremony and put out his
hand. Allen, IL congratulate you sir, she's a
splendid woman. You a fortunate man"
Sure. Lucy. that's the eye. She's a little peach.
Guess woll do the trick all right"
Prettyman sat down heavily He could not
grasp the insouciant Fritz's attitude
But" he hesitated laboriously
You aren't going to cry about It, are you?" said
his friend briskly, lighting a cigarette
Lucius seemed about to reply; instead he lapsed
Into mood OF impressive thoughtfuness After a
long silence he stammered blushingly, "Ah-Alen
-ah--did-y u-ah--if you don't mind my ask
ing-was it-ah-hard 10 do?"
Was what hard?"
why. the-the-the asking her, AIlen?"
Aliens eyes twinkled well, old boy, lit was
harder not TO- you know"
All" calculated Lucius uncomprehendingly.
Ever tried itl' conhdentially remarked Fritz
Lucius flushed. mo sir, I-I-I-"
It's great" said Allen. he departed 'you
never can tell TIL you try"