The Somerset reporter., 1908-07-16
The Lady of
The liIacS.
By Philip kean.
BY Philip kean.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

days there was bunch of lilacs on
her desk, offerings from the girls to a
best loved teacher.
You simply can't help loving her"
Betty Baynes said to Sherwood in her
emphatic young girl way. You simply
can't help it. Uncle Jack"
Il don't see." Uncle Jack ventured,
where her particular charm comes
In"
she's so sweet" Betty analysed,
land dainty-and-and- Betty
was getting into deep water. Anyhow.
she's lovely"
Sherwood always called for his 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
a 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 I'D like to paint her that
way"
what way?" asked Betty.
Paint Miss Duval-just her head,
bent little. against a background OF
lilac blooms, with circle of gold In
closing it like halo"
"Oh, Uncle Jack" Betty's face was
beaming, ut would be beautiful"
I'D call 1t The Lady of the Lilacs. :"
Sherwood planned. by George, Betty,
| believe 1t would be the best thing
I've done"
But THE Lady of the Lilacs" when
approached refused to be painted. "Oh,
please tell Mr.. Sherwood" she said
breathlessly, thai couldn't think Of
such thing | ain sure he can find a
better model. Betty"
HE can't" Betty said obstinately
please, please. Miss Dnval."
The little teacher shook her head
Don't insist. dear" she said. 81 real
ly 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. II hate to give up the idea"
We'll. don't give 1t up" Betty said.
you know you always get your own
way when You want 1t. Uncle Jack"
Eyes. | 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
won't you let us drive you home.
Miss DuvalT' he urged. I'VE will go
the long way round and 1t 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 81 used to ride great deal
out there" she admitted
why can't you ride here?" 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"
81 haven't a habit" Miss Duval de-
INJURED.
II have two" Betty announced
promptly, land you can wear one"
On Saturday Miss Duval In Betty's
covert cloth habit and three cornered
hat and mounted on Hulda Buckner
was transformed creature.
II thought she was pretty" was
Sherwood's mental comment, but, by
Jove, she's beauty"
And more and more he yearned to
paint her.
To that end he paid her most de
voted attention. and 1t became a regu-
lar thing for the little teacher to spend
the week ends at Sherwood farm. Bet
tvs mother found her charming
Il am glad to have Betty under her
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 tiared Indignantly. II
don't believe you ever look at woman
except from the standpoint of art"
Sherwood laughed Il don't fall In
love easily, II 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
with the Lilac Lady.
Il wish you would let me paint
gour picture" he said to her.
No" she said slowly Il am not
IRE that | like the idea of my pic
IRE hanging In a gallery for the pub
q 10 gaze at"
Surely Sherwood urged, "ons
loud not keep beauty hidden"
Il am not beautiful" she said quiet
She leaned back In the big wicker