The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-03-31
Copyright. 1907, By, Taos,as II. NeKss.

rather when two frank and twenty.
and. at the same time, complacently and
conspicuously in love with each other |
am not aware .na' !. - e2nai.ion IN wh,cn ., er
would themselves dare say. rudely resent anv ex-
matters ultimately turned out viii not greatly be
inclined to lay at their doors the obsoescent charge
Of indelicacy Cecea-Cecelia Francesca Purvis
and Lucius Prettyman did not
To elaborate a bit-Fanny Denton and Cecilia
Francesca shared together a battered apartment on
the roof a great. gloomy. rambling structure de-
voted the housing of courageously impecun1ous
art students. say the roof. since the case was
Just that: they lived in insecure-lookfng story
which the thrifty owners of the building had hasiy
constructed the top of everything to contain
lot courageous and more fmpecunious
than the rest. down the canal-like halls
Fritz Allen also had a studio and Lucius Pretty
another
In the DAYTIME the four Of them worked at
iadylike and miniature Fanny inclined TO
conventional designing: and as for Denton and Luz
Gus the former dashed out fictitious illustrations
for his fictitious imaginngs. while Lucius toiled
worrisomely along in the life class and brooded
deeply the possibilities OF large. depressing
canvases devoted the depicting Of death of
famous generals and like inspiring subjects
OF a truth 1t cannot be said of Cecilia and Lu-
Gus that they In the bloom OF their youth.
though to sure, Cecelia's spirit was innocently
inexperienced to appalling degree. and she was
wont cothe herself in garments OF Imply
tstic drapery. suggesting in hue at least the I'M
mortal blithe Botticelli maidens. At any rate her
soul youthful and her nature unselfsh and
beautiful.
Lucius probably never young. The unplia-
BILE strands of his nature seemed never to loosen
His high pale brow betokened in its concentrated
little knot of lines above the spirit furrowed
with the poughshare OF Serious Effort. He
moved in and out among his fellows. gentle.
shabby, good-tempered. abnormally shy creature
whom all loved. when they were not consumed with
a helpless rage at the ponderous precision OF his
mental and physical workings.
IT natural enough that the four Of them. liv-
ing together in the "Roost'-so they called the
parIous top story--should be much In each others
company Youthful art is not peculiarly solitary
profession and. moreover their frank poverty, and
the franker attachment OF Fritz to Fanny gave adj
ditiona strength to their bond.
To Cecilia, the woong OF her roommate afford
ed a frst-hand observation of what to her the
most thrillingly beautiful and complex emotion Of
the world. Fanny. herself being somewhat prac-
teal IN the affairs OF her heart, did not en-
courage Cecelia's sentimental out breathngs So
st happened that Cecilia fell into the habit OF
fdng tho progress of the delicate footsteps OF love
to Lucius Prettyman.
The two men, of evening would drop into the
studio Of the girls-a very apartment, to be
with the beds converted artessly into divans
and all the feminine evidences hid In the closet
Lucius really brought in the beginning by
Fritz to divert Cecilia from the fascination of his
methods with Fanny. And 1t generally turned out
the two serious would early retire to the
kitchen-an elastic apartment made by the folding
OF screen about q little gae-StOve-there to whiS-
and to cook up fndigestble messes for refresh
ment: while Fritz and Fanny-wel1. It really is
province to disclose the sweet story OF their
affections.
1t in late October when Fanny briefly ap-
prised Cecilia that she engaged to Fritz Cece-
na kissed her rapturousIy. MY dear. my DEAR"
she cried softly, isn't it wonderful
20. don't know" remarked her friend. sharpen
ing a lead pencil tudiciousy. "Fritzie is nice
boy And I'm sure he's very lucky to get me-
Cecilia staggered.
you! Oh. 1t seems love is the most beauti-
full"
20, yes. everybody gets 1T sooner later. they
say broke In Fanny prosaically. 'It takes
full lot of your time. though. Heavens! I haven't
done . thing in a month"
Dear how you joke about it," sighed
Fanny looked up in surprise. Mercy. Cecilia
ITS no joke Lend me your gamboge. will you?"
Poor Cecilia. she was too bewildered to reply
That same night Fritz lounged into Prettyman's
room Lucius brooding solemnly over a pipe
well. Lucy" Fritz let fall casually. 1.-The little
girl and have hit 1t or
II beg your pardon" said Lucius uncertainty
Fanny and /. you know-engaged-.love true
love. undying.' grinned Fritz with appreciation
Lucius rose with grave ceremony and put out his
hand ALLEN. II congratulate you. sir. she's
splendid woman. You fortunate man"
Sure. Lucy. that's the eye. She's little peach
Guess we'll do the trick all right"
Prettyman sat down heavily He could not
grasp the insoucant Fritz's attitude
But" he hesitated laboriously
You aren't going to cry about it. are YOU" said
his friend briskly. lighting cigarette.
Lucius seemed about to reply; instead he lapsed
into q mood OF impressive thoughtfuness After
long silence he stammered blushingly, "Ah--Allen
-ah-aid-you-ah-if you don't mind my ask
ing-was it-ah-hard to do?"
WAS what hard?"
why. the-the-the asking her AIlen."
Aliens eyes twinkled. well, old bow TT, wa.
harder not to. you know"
"Ah." calculated Lucius uncomprehendinsly
Ever tried IT." conndentiaIly remarked Fritz
Iucfus flushed. NO sir, I-I-I-"
IT'S great" said Allen. as he denar.as "ror
tell till you try"