Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1909-09-14
\ MODERN GALA7EA,
"hearts Have Changed Little
 Since PygmaIion's Time"
By cRITTENDEN MARRIOTT.

l'resS.l
 As Wykoff entered the parlor d young man who was warming his hands at the fire looked up.
 Hello, Wykoff."' he said languidly "1ts you, of course"
 Wykoff did not seem any better pleased at the meeting than did the speaker. "Humph"' he remarked dis gustedly. 'T might have known I'd find you here. Meredith
 'It's mutual" returned the other, with gesture of resignation. "I can't for the life of me see how you can af- ford to neglect business this way, old man. Maybe, though. you have seen Forbes this morning."
 Wykoff shook his head. He did not seem in the least interested.
 "He was looking for you," went on Meredith '.I don't know what he wanted. but l imagine from his man. ner that it was something important. He said he would be at his office till 5 o'clock It's nearly that now, and you had better hurry if you want to see him.
 "Forbes can wait Look here, Mere dith! I'm tired of seeing you hanging around here all the time. l wish"- Before Wykoff could explain what he wished a girl swept into the room, holding out her hands in grave wei come. "How do you do, Mir Wykoff?' she said quietly. How do you do. MT. Meredith: seem to be honored this afternoon. Will you ring for the tea, Mr. Meredith? Sit down, Mr. Wykoff You look troubled. l hope nothing is wrong" Her tones were calm. Any one could see that she took little interest in the affairs of others. ''Wykoff isn't troubled, Miss Curtis That's his way of expressing extrav- agant joy He was just saying how pleased he was to see ne here"
 The girl glanced at WykOff, who was plainly seeking for some retort-and finding none Airy persiflage was not in his line.
 You must not tease MT. Wykoff.' : she said gently. When is that sister of yours coming to see me, MT. Wy koff? 1 want
 The sentence was never finished, foi with rush small girl bounded into the room and flung herself on Wykoff "Oh. MT. Wykoffw she cried Come right out and sculp my snow man. Yor promised you would" She caught his hand and tried to drag him to tht door.
 Bessie. Let Mir Wykoff alone," il. terposed Miss Curtis. "You ought tt be ashamed of yourself
 A gleam came into Meredith's eyes "Out of the mouths of ba bes and suck Nngs," he quoted gayly. Positively you are getting quite reputation Wykoff. Keep on and maybe you'll get real client some day-somebod. who wants to be 'sculped' in marble to adopt Miss Bessie's charmingly ex pressive word"
 Wykoff winced. No one knew bette than he that so far be had not made moneyed success in his art; sculptor have little honor in western America He had known Meredith all his Tiff and, being tongue tied himself, ha' greatly admired the others glibnes until he himself had become targe for it. He hesitated now. angry a. through, but fearing if he spoke at al he might say more than he intended.
 Little Bessie. however. had no sucl scruples Deliberately she fixed he eyes on Meredith. Il don't like you, she deposed positively.
 Bessie" Miss Curtis was scandal ized
 II can't help it, Sister Mary. l don't like him So therer' She turned to Wykoff You promised she reiter- pile all built and"-
 Reluctantly Wykof rose. Il really did promise. Miss Curtis," he declared. ''and suppose must keep my word" :"
 He spoke sorrowfully, for he hated 10 leave the field to his rival. even though all he could do was to stand and take punishment and pretend he liked it.
 But if Meredith expected to profit by the others disappearance he reckoned without his host-or his hostess. Miss Curtis talked on in the grave. quiet way that had stirred the heart of more than one man. but she gave him no chance to bring up the question which lay nearest to his somewhat sophisti- cated heart-the question he had come resolved to ask before he left. Finally. when the conversation began to lan- guish. she rose, declaring that the house was abominaby hot. She in- sisted on going out to see what Mr. Wykoff had done with the snow man.
 Meredith made no demur. Wise in the ways of women, he knew better than to try to force the conversation. In the girls existent mood he did not fear Wykof and welcomed rather than otherwise the chance to break some