Smyrna times., 1908-08-26
Ihe Lady of
The LiIaCS.
By Philip Kean.
copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

NNNNNNNANNNAANAEAm
sherwood called her THE Lady of
the Lhacs" because always on snring
days there was bunch Of Hlacs on
her desk. offerings from the girls TO
best loved teacher.
lou simply can't help loving her"
betty Baynes said to Sherwood in ber
emphatic young girl way. you simply
cam help it, Uncle Jack"
Il don't see," Uncle lack van+rrod
where her particular charm comes
IN" NOi1eS
She's so sweet" Betty analvzed.
ana dainty-and-and-s Re++v
was getting into deep water. "Anvbow
she's lovely"
sherwood always called for his niece
atter school and drove her out to Sbar.
wood farm, where Betty and her wild
owed mother made their home with
MIN. The farm was beyond the town
great place, with great barns. where
We're 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 Hlacs
making background.
Look here" he said to Betty one
afternoon as they drove away in the
sunshine, I'D like to paint her that
way"
What wa. 2" asked Betty.
Paint Miss Duval-just her head.
bent little, against a background of
lilac blooms, with circle of gold in
closing it like a halo"
"Oh, Uncle Jack" Betty's face was
beaming, lit would be beautiful"
I'D call it The Lady of the Lilacs, "
Sherwood planned. by George, Betty.
believe it would be the best thing
I've done"
But "The Lady of the Lilacs" when
approached refused to be painted. "Oh,
please teh Mr.. Sherwood" she said
breathlessly, that l couldn't think of
such a thing. l am sure he can find
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. 81 real
" cannot"
'NOw. what do you think of that,
Uncle Jack" said Betty, almost in
tears. as they drove away that night.
II don't know what to think" said
Sherwood. Il hate to give up the idea"
"Well, don't give it up" Betty said.
You know you always get your own
way when you want it. Uncle Jack"
Yes, do" said Sherwood thought
fully.
Several days later when Betty came
out of the school arm in arm with the
little teacher Sherwood met them at
the door.
Wont you let us drive you home,
Miss Duval?' he urged. 1--WE will 90
the long way round, and it will do you
good"
Miss Duval hesitated. "Oh," she be-
gan, but Betty interrupted: "Of course
you'll go. You've never driven behind
the Buckner team, and they are such
beauties"
1t developed that Miss Duval was
from Kentucky and that she loved
horses. Il used to ride a great deal
out there" she admitted.
"Why can't you ride hereY' Sher-
wood demanded. I'VE have a half doz-
en- ladies' mounts in the stables that
are growing fat and lazy for want of
exercise"
II haven't habit" Miss Duval de-
murred
81 have two" Betty announced
promptly, "and you can wear one"
On Saturday Miss Duval in Betty's
covert cloth habit and three cOrnered
hat and mounted on Hulda Buckner
was a transformed creature.
II thought she was pretty" was
Sherwood's mental comment, "but, by
| Jove, she's a beauty"
And more and more he yearned to
paint her.
To that end he paid her most de-
voted attention, and it became a regu-
lar thing for the little teacher to spend
the week ends at Sherwood farm. Bet
ty's mother found her charming.
81 am glad to have Betty under her
influence" she told her brother. "She
is lady to her finger tips"
YES" Sherwood agreed mOodily.
but wish she would let me paint her
as The Lady of the Lilacs.'
His sister fared Indignantly. Il
don't believe you ever look at a woman
except from the standpoint of art"
Sherwood laughed. II don't fall in
love easily, If that is what you mean"
he said and shrugged his shoulders and
went on.
That afternoon he sauntered down
to the end Of the big garden where
Dulcie Duval was pouring tea. The
little table was set under a lilac bush,
and the fragrance of the blossoms
filed the air.
Betty. on the other side of the bush,
was playing tennis with a boy from
town Mrs. Baynes had been called to
the house. and Sherwood was alone
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