The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-03-11
Curing a Fad
BY w. F. BRYAN.
Copyrighted, 1905. by Homer sprague.

Qccl' SOlioN ol l'lCh feuulSlef. Who
barely had lime to develop an interest
in one pursuit before Florence Hovev
WAS off at a new tangent.
Dick had Just learned to handle the
diabalo when he was called upon 10
abandon the Elusive spinning reel iii
order TO spend his afternoons amid din.
bury Buddhist proclaimed the tenets
of fasting and modification of the flesh
to the end that the soul might he en-
abled to quit its earthly tenement and
soar through realms of space.
And then came Batterly His advent
enabled Dick to resume an intimate
connection between soul and body and
also permitted him to take Florence to
luncheon occasionally until Batterly's
artistic notions engulfed Miss Hovey
even more completely than the Hindoo
religion had done.
Battery knew the value of what ac-
tors call dressing the part and there
was small danger that any one would
ever mistake him for other than what
he was. The black velvet coat. the
straight brimmed high hat and the peg
top trousers above sharply pointed
French shoes We're all delightfully."- sug-
gestive of the Latin quarter. Florence
discarded shirt waists and went in for
soft, clinging gowns designed by Bat
terly. The phraseology of the studio
supplanted the words of affection which
Dick Fennister had received despite
the reignS of other fads
Things began to look serious, indeed
for Fennister, and none knew it bet.
ter than himself Battery by his very
selfishneSs was the sort of man to at
tract women, and Dick Fennister fear.
ed that if he sought to exercise his
rights as tiance this would serve only
to mark the termination of their en-
gagement and preciptate Florence's
serious interest in the artist.
Things went from bad 10 worse and
to take Florence for a walk only tc
find that she had gone with Battery
Later it developed that she had gone
to his studio to pose for her portrait
and that Mrs. Hovey had accompanied
them as chaperon. but this did not
Tighten the situation much.
Thereafter Batterly called daily to
escort his sitter to the studio, and with
mournfnl interest Dick watched the
trio pass the club window.
Then there came day when the
light of resolve flashed into his eyes
and With positive cheerfulness he
turned from the spectacle. Harry Full
ton passing him in the hall, was scan
dalized to surprise him performing q
dance indicative of solemn JOY.
Your own idea" he asked When
Dick saw him and had subsidized
a poor thing" admitted Dick but
my own. 1t is the outward indication
of the joy that rises within me-
Its all right then" was the sarcas.
tic retort. 1T seemed rather the out
ward indication of an inward collie"
He passed ON, and Dick headed for
the coat room. Ten minutes later he
quilted the club.
Mrs. Hovey rather enjoyed the after
noon promenades down the avenue.
Batterly's eccentricities. aided 10y real
cleverneSS with the brush. had made
him something of a social lion. and
she was proud to have him in leash.
She enjoyed the attention which the
artist attracted, but this afternoon
there was a new expression on the
face of those whom they met
In spite of the occasional Every clev-
err" and How original. which fel!
from the lips of passersby there was
flash of levity in the eyes of nearly
all. Both Mrs Hoyey and Florence
anxiously. if secretly. felt various por-
tions of their dress to see if some dis
arrangement of their toilets had arous-
ed attention.
But several furtive touches assured
them that all was well, and so they
gave more attention to Batterly, who
reveled in this afternoon parade down
the fashionable thoroughfare With the
aristocratic matron and her remark
ably handsome daughter at his side.
He had scorned the suggestion of a
carriage. declaring that the walk clear
ed his brain and enabled him to do his
best work
This picture Shall be my master
piece" he declared, "if only am able
to do justice to the subject See. Ev-
cry one stares at the beauty AIN
struggling to reproduce upon canvas.
1t shah make me famous"
"ion are already that" reminded
Mrs. Hovey. You will make Florence
famous instead"
NO; she is already that" replied the
artist. "It needs none TO tell that she
is the observed of all Observers To
day ! notice it as never before
do you?' asked Mrs Hovey uneas-
lily. 1T does seem to me that we are
attracting unusual attention.
ut is the gown said Battery com
pacently. 1T is q triumph l, is a
JOY to see ones ideals so tittingly
realized" He glanced with frank pride
at the somewhat conspicuous costume
ne had designed for Florence and
which she was wearing upon the street