The Dolores star., 1909-12-31

OF the STORM IN tnO6e cIOuQS.
1t was true. She had done what the
water-colorist seldom achieves-suc-
ceeded in washing out her FIRST at
tempt and replacing 1t with the desir-
ed effect. The thorough wetting Of
the paper or a touch Of genius had
aided the second attempt, and the
result was a wash-clean and fresh in
color-and in the clouds what Derring
had called the demon of the storm.
Come" he said decisively as she
sat putting in the last few touches
lingeringly. Come. You must stop.
1t is too dark. You will be frozen"
She began to collect her sketching
materials.
Leave those for me. Go on to the
house and get warm. I'll bring your
traps"
She started obediently towards the
house, breathing on her cold fingers
to warm them. But-so fierce was the
wind--she made slow progress. and
before she reached the house he was
at her side. He opened the door that
ushered them into the low room.
The round-faced Dutchwoman who
greeted them looked with kindly eyes
on the young lady. She hustled about
the room and placed an armchair near
the fire. You stayed out longer this
time," she said in deep cultural
voice. She gave a quick look Of inter-
est from Helen to Derring.
Helen sank into the chair with
grateful smile. Yes. stayed out to
I'm" She had slipped noiselessly
from the armchair to the floor.
With . quick exclamation Derring
dropped to his knees beside her.
ITS only the heat" said the Dutch
woman practically. Give her this" +"
She had prepared draught of brandy.
Derring poured 1t between the white
lips, around which q blue line was
slowly settling.
They watched for the effect-Derr-
ing eagerly, the woman with close at
tention. There was no sign Of re-
turning life. Derring looked up in
into an inner room for some other
remedy.
He leaned over the motionless fig
ure. listening. Slowly he gathered 1t
in his arms. Tenderly. passionately.
he drew her to him and pressed his
lips on the white mouth with its
shadow. She seemed to him already
dead-removed from caresses. Slowly
the lids huttered. breath trembled
eyes to his, family.
The good Dutchwoman appeared.
bearing q large bottle Of ammonia.
She figured in behring's eyes as a
ministering angel and the bottle as o.
heaven-sent chalice. But 1t brought
tears to Helen's eyes and she pushed
1t away with the assurance. half-laugh-
ing. half-tearful. that she should be all
right In a minute.
Derring lifted her to an improvised
couch and she lay, with eyes like
stars. looking about the little room.
He held one Of the hands in his and
chafed 1t gently now and then, under
the pretence that 1t was still cold. Her
brown hair had escaped from its
fastening and was pushed carelesslv
back. Against the dark covering of
the couch 1t formed halo about her
face. Derring had always fancied that
the Madonna might have been at
home in such a room as this. It was
. Holbein face.
The old woman had lighted the
candles on the low table and was
spreading the table for supper She
entertained her guests by leaving
them free. The two candles gave out
q dull glow and completed the effect
Of an old Dutch interior.
Helen and Derring exchanged
Elances of appreciation.
Think Of finding 1t within nve
miles Of Washington street! am 60
ing to sketch 1t some day. She has
promised to sit for me and 1t will be
nice and warm" She shivered q 1T
tie.
Derring suddenly held fast in both
his hands the one he had been idly
stroking. You must never do such q
foolhardy thing again"
mot even for . success? But am
glad l did II. 1t Is q success" Her
eyes rested lovingly on the sketch ON
the floor by the wall.
She was still looking At It when he
left the house to telephone for . car
riage. But when he returned, half an
hour later, she was seated at the
table laughing and talking with her
hostess. She declared she had never
felt better In her life, and she started
out bravely to walk to the carriage,
which could not drive down to the