The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-08-26
The Lady Of
The liIaCS.
BY Philip kean.

Copyrighted. 1905. by Al
Literary Press.


DAYS there was a bunch Of lilacs on
her desk. offerings from the girls to
best loved teacher.
seyou simply can't help loving her."
Betty Baynes said to Sherwood in her
emphatic young girl way. "You simply
can't help 1t, Uncle Jack"
Il don't see.s, Uncle Jack ventured.
where her particular charm comes
In"
@She's SO sweet Betty analysed.
aand dainty-and--and Betty
was getting into deep water. Anyhow,
she's lovely"
Sherwood always called for bis niece
after school and drove her out to Sher-
wood farm, where Betty and her Wild
owed mother made their home with
him. The farm was beyond the town
great place, with great barns. where
were housed the beautiful horses that
had made the farm famous.
As he sat in the trap waiting he
could look right into the windows OF
the room where Miss Duval taught.
and he could see her head bent over
her desk, with the great bunch of lilacs
making background.
'Look here" he said to Betty one
afternoon as they drove away in the
sunshine, ia like to paint her that
way"
what way?" asked Betty.
"Paint Miss Duval-just her head,
bent little, against background OF
lilac blooms, with circle of gold in
closing 1t like a halo
ooh, Uncle Jack" Betty's face was
beaming, at would be beautiful"
"rd call it THE Lady of the Lllacs, ;"
Sherwood planned. "By George, Betty,
| believe it would be the best thing
I've done"
But 1.-THE Lady of the Lilacs" when
approached refused to be painted. ooh.
please tell Mr.. Sherwood" she said
breathlessiy, "that couldn't think of
such thing. | am sure he can find a
better model, Betty"
"He can't" Betty said obstinately.
please, please. Miss Duval"
The little teacher shook her head.
Don't insist, DEAR" she said. Il real
ly cannot"
"Now, what do you think of that,
Uncle Jack" said Betty, almost In
tears. as they drove away that night
"I don't know what to think" said
Sherwood. II hate to give up the idea"
"Well. don't give 1t up" Betty said
"You know you always get your OWL
way when you want it. Uncle Jack"
Eyes. / do said Sherwood thought
fully.
Several days later when Betty came
out of the school arm in arm with tbs
little teacher Sherwood met them a
the door.
won't you let US drive you home
Miss DuvalY' he urged. Eve will g
the long way round. and it will do 70,
good"
Miss Duvai hesitated. "Oh," she be
gan. but Betty interrupted: "of cours
| you'll go. You've never driven benin,
the Buckner team, and they are sucl
beauties"
1t developed that Miss Duval wa
from Kentucky and that she love-
horses. II used to ride great dea
out there" she admitted.
"Why can't you ride hereY Shei
wood demanded. 1--WE have half dos
en- ladies' mounts in the stables tina
are growing fat and lazy for want Q
exercise
Il haven't habit" Miss Duyal d.
INJURED.
al have two" Betty announce
promptly, "and you can wear one"
On Saturday Miss Duyal In Betty
covert cloth habit and three cornere
hat and mounted on Hulda Bucknt
was a transformed creature.
81 thought she was pretty" Wa
Sherwood's mental comment, "but, /
Jove, she'ssa beauty"
And more and more he yearned
paint her.
To that end be paid her most d
voted attention, and 1t became reg
lar thing for the little teacher to sper
= the week ends at Sherwood farm. Be
|. TVS mother found her charming.
II am glad to have Betty under b
infnence," she told her brother. IS
is lady to her finger tips
Yes Sherwood agreed moodil
''but / wish she would let ne paint b
as The Lady of the Lilacs.'"
His sister fared Indignantly.
don't believe you ever look at womi
except from the standpoint of art"
Sherwood laughed. Il don't fall
love easily, If that is what you NEAR
be said and shrugged his shoulders al
went on.
= That afternoon be sauntered doy
to the end Of the big garden whe
Dulcie Duyal was pouring tea. T.
+ little table was set under a lilac bus
and the fragrance of the blossoi
filled the air.
Betty. on the other side OF the bus
was playing tennis with boy fro
town. Mrs. Baynes had been called
the house. and Sherwood was alo
~~~f& Al. =. v y 80