The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-06

see, had something special to BRING
them. You haven't met Lecca yet, have
you? Hello there, old chap--I want you
to know Miss Gardiner. You wouldn't
think he was an Italin, Ell, Penn Hun
ter ratified on-~s''Who ever heard of
six-foot Italian, with blonde hair at
that?"
My friend Hunter said that he
would not make of me either lion OF
yet curio, but listen how he talks
Some one turned on an electric light,
and, before it's flash the soft shadows
of the studio disappeared. Penelope
Lecca's face every vestige of colored
faded.
Penelope recovered first.
''Ah, there is Dorothy Kent pouring
tea. 1 know it will be worth drink
ing" And Lecca, dazed, watched the
trail of shimmering ciel blue wolfe
skirt across Hunters priceless rugs 70
the tea table. There for several min
| utes she stood with her back turned
full upon the group around her most
and his guest of honor.
She was the center of another laugh
| ing group, when she felt his compel
ling gaze drawing her away from the
! chatter. Hunter was speaking TO her
i in a tone which the tense nervous girl
did not realize was one of renuncla-
! ton.
"Lecca has been unpacking some OF
| his traps in my further room. he
! wants to know II you would like TO see
| them. It's an honor. Pen. Even l
| have not seen the picture he expects
| to exhibit al the academy next month.
He's a fine fellow met him last year
| in Paris-awfully glad he has taken a
| shine to you.
| without speaking, Penelope passed
! through the door whose hangings
Lecca drew aside for her. He crossed
| to a canvas and threw back the ORA
| perry which hid it.
"I have named it The Old Worlo
and the New" he said simply.
Penelope looked with widening
eyes, There was the tapestried wall
| of the throne room in all It's old Worio
! colcrings, faded. in places almost oD
| scure, while against it, vital. full OF
/ grace and vigor, was the figure OF an
alert American girl, clad in navy blue
| broadcloth, velvet picture hat on her
soft brown hair, and great bouquet
of Roman violets- at her belt.
You see, have done what you said
something worth while; and, having
done it, 1 have come to show 1t to you
and your people. wanted you to know
that YOU had made it possible-it is
not for sale He drew himself
up proudly and she reached out her
hand pleadingly.
And if it was@I-I could not buy
it. Much has happened to me since
, the day-in the throne room We
we have lost everything"
"Ahr The man drew long, deep
breath. "Fate has indeed been kind
y
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 I done it well
enough to please you ?"
She bowed her head and then raised
It again. Yes. without the helmet and
the high heels, he still lowered above
her, and then her eyes fell before his
earnest gaze.
glance, the flash, you will forgive me.
the message of love. In our country
love docs not wait. Yet for five years
have worked for you. All am you
have made. Today I may be artist to
our, king-Will you come ?"
ITO my king-yes.''
And though his ncxt words were of
his own country, the girl understood,
for the language of love Is the same in
the old world and in the new.-Copy-s
righted,. 1907, by Homer Sprague.