Rock Island Argus., 1908-09-30

Of stairs TO comfortable living rooms
on the first floor
Karl maintained silence and contin-
ued 20 walk the floor. He looked at
his watch and started toward the door
of the reception room leading into the
hall, which was locked
"This is the second time have seen
madame's shoulders" Millar remarked
casually, blowing cigarette rings In
the air.
What do you mean?" Karl demand
ed, stung to speech by jealousy.
"Ah, l saw them first in Paris, at
the Louvre, fashioned of snow white
| marble. They were the shoulders of
Venus. Am l right. Karl?'
II don't know" the artist snapped.
"Well, you must take my word for
1t then" Millar said lightly. II have
! seen both. And since Alcamenes l
have known but one sculptor who
could form such wonderful shoulders >
"Who?" Karl asked, turning TO him.
Prosperity" Millar replied senten-
| tiously. "Such tender. soft. exquisite
curves are possible only to women who
iiNe peilCNliy. " ttIdinc liuol NC liO
wife of a millionaire"
Karl fell to pacing the floor again.
: glancing impatiently at the door
through which Olga had fed.
SIS she dressing?" asked AIillar slyly.
I EYES," Karl answered nervousIy.
"Is there mirror in your studio?"
"Yes."
Madame must be very respectable -
Millar said in an insinuating tone
"She takes so long to dress"
"Your remarks are in very bad
taste" Karl cried angrily. walking up
threateningly to his visitor.
Millar stood erect, without changing
his expression of ironical amusement
and said:
do you wish TO offend me?''
Eyes Karl snarled
"Then you, too, must be respecta
BILE" the visitor said coolly, adding, as
Karl looked at him with wonder, "Ir
situation like this only very re
spectacle man could behave with sucl
internal stupidity"
!, Karl was about to retort when the
! studio door opened and Olga entered
, He turned quickly toward her, and
, she went to him without Noticing Mil
lar.
"What time is it," she asked
"Your husband will be here in ter
minutes" Millar interposed.
| Olga turned toward him and criei
: accusingly:
4 'Then you were not asleep in tina
chair when my husband was here
You heard him say when he would re
: turn"
' Madame is mistaken. Feminine
5 presentiment always feels the approach
of the husband ten minutes ahead o
: time. Were it not for those ten min
utes there would be fewer locked
doors"
! AS he spoke he walked over and un
locked the door leading into the hall
then turned and looked at them calm
S ly.
as this never to fnish?" Olga asked
81 tried to change the subject, bu
{ Karl would not let me-" Millar an
! 'swered.
Il have not spoken word" Kar
protested.
by your actions, Karl; by the wa.
j you jumped up, impatiently consulte,
your watch, rushed to the door. Poo
( chap, he was afraid" he added t
! Olga.
: "Afraid,' Karl exclaimed.
"Yes, afraid that your husband woul
come before you finished dressing
8 And you were right, Karl"
why my dear olga Karl bega
impatiently, when the other interrupt
ed him.
please. please, let us be logical" h
urged. Look at the situation. TIL
husband enters suddenly. We'll. her
1 am, back again, my darling he al
: nounces. Where is the picture?
> must see the picture There is none
Karl did not work on the picture
Your husband is worried. He does nC
a speak, but he is irritated. He wants t
speak, and the words stick in hi
e throat. You. look at each other. III