The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-07
fcopyrfght. 1910. by Associated Lit.
erary Press.)

1910. by Associated Lit
erary Press.)
.1tss the gentleman In the straw
ut Miss" said the little maid.
s@ ftss naost inconvenient time TO
EG6e him." catharine said.
'sBut he insists"
CAtharine trailed the snowy lengths
cf her satin gown toward the door.
- suppose / shall have to see him."
!. Ihe said did he give any manner"
No. the maid replied. ''but he is
the same gentleman that came the
y 6xhcr day. i knew him by his straw
hat. III seemed sort of strange for n
L gentleman 10 be wearing a straw hat
IN winter
Eyes, 1t does" Catharine said. and
went down stairs.
sCathartne greeted the stranger
somewha, coldly. She had suspicious
OF d book agent, although a second
glance at the man before her rather
sttxpellod this idea. He was shabby.
/ He came to the point at once. L
want TO paint your picture" he said.
Cathartne looked at him haughuly
~wfy, j don't know you" Her voice
lad In 1t a note of anger, but he did
not seem disturbed.
II want to paint your picture" he
eFE1@1iGu. on are Inc IAost bC&Att~
fui woman have ever seen"
Catharine stood up. You have not
seen rae long enough to call me beau
tiiuL'
II have seen you many times" he
.eair..; -..rrri fast might MS you came out
and crossed the snowy pavement on
Z the way to your motor. was stand
tng en- the steps. You were wrapped
Ill white furs and there were dia-
4 ysaonas in your hair. i thought of the
/ SNOW Queen about whom used to
read In my fairy books"
catharine leaned toward him eager
with interest. II remember" she
Easd. s.iut how cruel she was
Yea he agreed. yes: but your
& beauty--the wonderful white OF the
snow. the white OF your furs--I want
them on my canTas--1 must have
h them"
Ent again Catharinc repealed him
n haughtiiy. Il do not know you," she
saad.
His head went up. II have no rep
4 uxAtton," he admitted. and ] am
poor and struggling for recognition.
bat love my art. know l am
asking much, but no one will ever
patnt you better than ! shall paint
you
1T was said with the calmness OF
EUne who knows what he can do. and
In spite of his shabbiness. in spite
Cot the peculiar circumstances of his
coming. Cathartne felt herself drawn
s ny some irresistible force into ac-
HAleseeHee.
"0f course. could not come
mione," she said.
81 do not wish you to come: ]
Z have no studio | want TO paint you
here,
His demand was made so quietly,
i with such perfect assurance that IT
would be granted, that again she
gave In weakly. When ne had gone.
however, and she told at tho table
Of the strange circumstance her
mother exclaimed against the uncon-
rentionality. and her father spoke OF
4 the danger Of admitting an unknown
\ man to the house Her cousin. Betty
barnes, however, who was spending
I the winter with her, thought II some-
thing of an adventure.
1T has been so deadly dull lately
she said. lust teas, receptions and
I things Can we all come in and see
him paint you. Catharine?"
ssClx course you cam" Catharine an
Rwered, hut he won't interest you.
4 Betty. He is the shabbiest man you
ever saw"
~ Fsat as Eathartne learned TO know
I The painter she found that 1t was not
poverty alone that made him wear a
i Htraw hat, So completely was he
wrapped up In his art that he thought
I little OF the things that rule the
average man.
Gradually under his hand the pic
ture was taking on great beauty.
4 While he painted he talked to her
He had been everywhere, seen every
thing. She listened, and. when he
left. wished that she might listen
D still
s. You are falling in love with him, -
h Betty accused her.
Cathartne's heart beat quickly. bu,
u Dutwardly she was as calm and cold
sses the lady in the picture. ''As IL ]
c0uid love a man who wears a straw,
nat In winter" she said.
could love man like yoss
painter" Betty said.
- Il VAS when the pictura WAS almaa,