Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-09
FRANCIS EYNDE =. :

and water and grinding powders swapping at his heels
as he climbed.
1t was all over in minute two but he held
her close till she asked to be put down. But now
he found their parts quite reversed and when
they came to make their way down the canon, which
they did in the remuous silence which is the natural
aftermath of any escape, she took his offered
arm and chung to him as any girl might
At the corral bars they found Eliphaet Winters
and Peter of Tennessee saddling in hot haste to go
and look for them alive dead; and there was
pean of rejoicing not to be measured in set phrases
or cold-type words. Vandenberg considerably for
bore to press his suit but before he went back to
the hotel he had final word with Madge.
81 leave the Park Tomorrow he said May
back in the Autumn-for your"
mo; not for me-" she said; and so it ended with
Vandenberg amblng for the last time back to the Sum-
camp inn, the great blue vault of the attitudes
unchanged and unchanging overhead, and the bottom
less pit Of life-dsappoinment opening before him.
There was goodly gathering of art-lovers in Mrs.
Camaine's spacious draw ng-rooms on Cofax Avenue
the night of the reception given to her young guest;
and Vandenberg, who tarrying few days in Dem
of the hidden ones. ITO meet Miss Mar
garet Beauchamp the way the invitation read; and
he had accepted because his friendship with the Cal
manes antedated BY many years his late literary
cess.
He argued this all out with himself on the way to
the hespitable house at the back of Capitol Hill 1t
for Mrs. Calmaine's sake he was going He
knew Miss Beauchamp only by repute a rising
young sculptor; and with craftsmans ofishness
would have avoided rather than sought reception"
meeting of her But friendship has its clapls and
Vandenberg went to do the conventional thing.
than fashionably late; and had difficulty in
finding his hostess in the throng.
"One favor, Mrs. Calnlane," he begged; this after
the greetings and apologies. please don't introduce
me to too many people. l can find my way about"
'Oh but want you to know Marguerite" said the
good lady, making place for him at her side Don't
lose yourself till l find her"
The drift brought him in due to the rear
most of the open rooms, and to alcove portiered
and lighted from above by studio toplights draped
modelling bench stood in the curtained space, and
upon 1t some of the young sculpors smaller pieces
in the clay exhibition.
The some one at the piano began to play an ac-
compartment; and when the crush drifted muscward,
Vandenberg left alone in the miniature studio.
He lifted the damp clotf-covering from of the
bronzes the very shoulder plate with the Greek war
rior and the Amazon in high relief that the silken-
strong figure of the little mountaineer had called to
mind at their first meeting
by Jove!" he said to himself; and then he lifted
another of the damp cloths-fted it and started back
with still stronger exclamation
The second piece was an equestrian group;
boy sadding his cayuse. 1t true to the life
of Frederick Remngton's pictures; but for the
moment Vandenberg missed the artistic triumph, see
ing only the good-natured grin on the face upturned
under the wide-Happed sombrero. 1t was the face
of Peter of Tennessee.
do you think it good keness?"
The voice. voice low and musical but with tone
of laughing mockery in it, came from behind.
Vandenberg wheeled quickly, stufing the damp
his handkerchief Notwithstanding all that had gone
before he had to look twice to be that the
eInlo!d InIpneoq 94H PomeII uemoM 5unoA lueIP
between the portieres and the same with his
lost love-so much may a gown a la mode and the
twisted into the commonplace English "Beecham."
But what were you doing at the ranch"
Just what you doing at the Castle Creek Inn;
trying to from attack of nerves."
Vandenberg took the damp cloth from his pocket
and mopped his face with it The little alcove seemed
suddenly to have grown insuferably
Il only ask your forgiveness and say good
by, Miss Beauchamp," he said humby, pocketing the
the cloth again, and holding out his hand.
"EOrOi for u,a4p
The sweet singer at the piano finished with trill,
ing roulade and there was murmur of applause and
a decorous capping of hands.
For trying to play King Cophetua to your beggar
maid in other words, for making an idioc block
head of myself"
Then you didn't mean what you said? Is that
what you want to be forgiven for?"
Don't" he pleaded. ITS hard enough to know
that I have lost you without being reminded of all
the different kinds of laughing you max
ing of me-"
He had the damp cloth out again, and she took it
from him gently and spread it over Peter of Ten
nessee
"The honors are easy, are they not?" she smiled.
You found it pleasure pastime to make love to
young person who, as Pete would say, didn't know
enough to go in when it rained And the young
person."
And the young person found it matter for
mirth | only wish your diagnosis were the true one"
you know very well it is not The pastime part
of it all on your side.
She looked up with the battling light in the gray
eyes.
"self-preservaton is the first law of Nature isn't
it,"
He ignored the plattude. 81 cannot let you put
it upon that ground. | the loser; you had moth
ing at stake" He spoke hurriedly. The guest-tide
if any had Miss Beauchamp.
How very positive you are" she said softly: posi-
tve-and ungratetul' She was busying herself with
the clay models and the sweet face was averted
At the words the heavens opened to the besotted
one, and he beheld vision
"Madges = sweetheart = let me see your eyes Did
you tell Mrs Canaine to ask me here tonight"
Since her answer not in words, it may not be
written down here; but a moment later, when Mrs
Calmaine lifted the dropped portiere with gasped
out well, of all thingsp Miss Beauchamp was
bushing piteously and Vandenberg had the air of a
man who pulls himself together to meet crisis And
he met it manfuly.
Forgive me, my dear Mrs. Ca1maine Miss Beau
champ and are old friends-and more: we are to be
married in September. Will you be the first to con-
graduate us?"
And when Mrs, Calmaine got her breath she did it.