The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-04-14

Il8nt peckoneu 70 ner. Vne m4Ttle1 figure at the entrance so close to the Gobelin tapestry had not moved the half of inch. but above the gold braid on his collar and rising up the peak flush.
 Penelope paused. frozen in her tracks. but the man looked straight ahead. She crossed to the window, resting her head wearily on her gloved hand. courtyard of the palace, while Mrs. Hammell completed her tour of the tapestry hung walls.
 He understood English--every word we said. How intolerably stupid of us! And auntie said he probably grubbed on farm! No wonder these foreigners think we Americans are rude. We are so secure and snug in our ignorance of their language that we cannot believe they understand ours"
 The sunlight waned, and Penelope knew that out on the Appian Way ten der amethyst shadows were settling. Why could not her aunt be satisfied with Rome's beautiful outdoor life, its drives and walks? Why must she spend days and days in musty churches and hideously garish palaces. She looked back into the room. Lovely shadows softened the gilt frames ana furniture, reds and blues blended into right-faced abruptly! He had dared to watch her as she stood thus at the window! We'll. 1t served her right for talking about human beings as if they were Gtatues or cubios.
 That night she wrote in her dairy:
 spent entire afternoon in the Royal Palace. Tapestries remarkable put rather boring. Bedrooms reserved for various royal guests reminded mo of Waldorf Astoria. Were not per mitted to enter royal suite, of course. but heard laughter of royal children throug.. folding doors, and hurdy- gurdy playing in what must have been the nursery. Italy is a place of dis illusions. The natives are learning English. the better-ro do you. my dear!
 Penelope Gardiner held off the plate card at arms length and studied It critically.
 |, Its lovely, Pen--you ought to charge more for your work. You could get it, you know. Rich women love to patronize girls like you
 Who once ate off their plates. in- stead of painting plate cards for themt I think I will charge Mrs. Fitch nait a dollar more for each of these cards They were done to match her ltaiian villa dining room, you know
 What I do know" pursued Pene- lope's caller, Ifs that you are going with me to Archie Hunters studio tea this afternoon. The way you nave shut yourself off from all of us, just because your father dropped money in the wrong copper mine, is fnexcus- able. Pen-there are so many wno loved you in spite of your money ana love you more now because you haven any-won't you comeT
 St. Anthony himself couldn't refuse you, Kathie," said Penelope. pushing aside her work. T am going, ana what is more. I shall wear my new spring frock, made over from one that last year might have gwen to my maid"
 Penelope could say such things with out A touch of bitterness. She seemed rather to glory in the fact that she was self-supporting, able to race the world which had promised her so much and then withdrawn its hypocriticai' miles.
 Through the open door of Hunters studio came the click of teacups, ana a confused murmur of well-bred voices.
 Jolly glad to see you" exclaimed Hunter, looking up into Penelopes rray-blue eyes. Sometimes, he had thought that if he could have looked down instead of up, she might nave said "yes." instead of mo"
 Isn't 1t a good crowd to-day? You see. I had something special to bring them. You haven't met Lecca yet, have you? Hello there, old chap-l want you to know Miss Gardiner. You wouldn't think he was an Italian, en- Pen?" Hunter rattled on. Wno ever heard of a six-foot Italian with blonde hair at that?'
 My friend Hunter said that ne would not make of me either lion
 huf -"Some one turned on an electric light. and. before its flash the sort Penelope gave little gasp. and slowly, from Leccas face, every Vestlge oi colored faded
 Penelope recovered first.
 "Ah, there is Dorothy Kent pouring ten. know it will be worth drink ne "And Lecca dazed, watched inc trail of shimmering ciel blue voile skirt across Hunters priceless rugs to the tea table. There TOT several minutes she stood with her hack 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 compeliihs gaze drawing her away rom .he n on .n ter. Hunter was speaking to her m A tone which the. tense nervous glri did not realize was one of renunciation.
 .'Lecca has been unpacking some or his traps in my further room. He wants to know if you would Ike 10 gee them. It's an honor. Pen. Even I 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 mas 'aAo" A shine to you"
 Without speaking. Penelope passed through the door whose hatigings Lee ca drew aside for her. He crossed to A canvas and threw back the drapery which hid it. T. 1T have named it The Old world ana the xe. 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 or grace and yigor, was the figure Of an alert American girl. clad in navy blue oroau cloth. A velvet picture hat on her sols brown hair, and a great bouquet oi Roman violets at her belt. s
 ''You see, I have done what you saiu something worth while, and. haVlhs done it have come to show 1t to you ond vour people. I wanted you to know that you had made it possible if ia not for sale-' He drew him- self I'D proudly and she reached out her hand pleadingly |.
 "And if it was-I-I could buy IL. Much has happened to me since the 6av-in the throne room. We've have lost everything"
 "Apd if it was-I-Icould not buy IL. hreath Fate has indeed been kind
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