Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-07-20

To that end ne paid her most de-
voted attention. and it became regu-
lar thing for the little teacher to spend
the week ends ut Sherwood farm. Bet
tvs mother found her charming.
Il an glad to have Betty under her
influence" she told her brother. she
is IA 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 flared Indignantly. 81
don't believe you ever look at a woman
except from the standpoint of art"
Sherwood laughed. Il don't fall In
love easily. if that is what you mean."
| 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 lilac bush,
and the fragrance of the blossoms
| filed the air
Betty, on the other side of the bush,
town. Mrs. Baynes had been called TO
the house, and Sherwood was alone
| with the Lilac Lady
| II wish you would let me paint
your picture" he said to her.
NO" she said slowly. II am not
sure that [ like the idea of my pic
ture hanging in a gallery for the pub
lie TO gaze at"
Surely" Sherwood urged, lone
should not keep beauty hidden"
II am not beautiful" she said quiet
| ~. She leaned back in the big wicker
chair. Her face was very pale, and
| there We're shadows under her eyes.
Behind her the lilacs tossed their pale
purple plumes in the spring breeze.
T, Il am not beautiful" sht repeated.
"but 1 think 1 ought to tell you why
do not want my picture placed be
fore the public"
1t was such Il simple little tale. She
was married. That was the fact that
was borne in upon. him with stunning
force. Her husband had, been hel
fathers choice. not her own.
I'VE We're rich" she explained, "bu
after my fathers death my husband
spent everything we had, and / wa.
very unhappy. So 1 ran away and
took my maiden name. Aud that i:
why / do not want my picture to ap
pear. l do not want him to find me
lever
She said it vehemently. with it'll,
flush on her cheeks. My father sal,
love would come" she went on hur
riedly, but it did not / felt TO
Betty's sake l ought to tell you. 1T
such unpleasant history that yol
might not care to have me with her S
much"
Sherwood flung up, his head. Sud
denly it seemed to him that there wa
nothing that he so much wished to d
as to shelter her from misfortune
Betty will always be honored b
your presence, as we all areas W
, shall always be-" he said, and sh
! smiled at him and held out her hand.
Somehow l felt that l had found
friend she said simply. THAT is VIII
told you. 1t seemed best. and kne,
, you would understand"
n That afternoon Sherwood went for
long ride on his favorite horse, Ma,
tell, and during that ride he fought
battle. Now that Dulcie Duval wa
/ out of reach she seemed the most desi
/ able thing in the -world. Indeed. frol
the first moment she had been desir,
BILE, but he had let the artist in hin
blind the lover. He had made hirse
/ think that it was her picture, not he
self, that he wanted.
s And now that he knew that he love
j her he felt that he must go away
r back to Paris to the studio-to Il
dreams that had of late been partial
S submerged in his practical plans f
: Sherwood farm.
When he came back that night, Bet
n met him on the porch.
I'VE are-going foE-a ride early. in Il