Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-23

into the chair, nearing PenOyer greet lngHS aS II
their voices came from distance.
Morning. Pen. Couldn't forget that study Of
yours, you know. and thought I'd drop up TOR an
other look. It's great, you know--immense"
I'm glad you like it," returned Penoyer.. a
slight followed Inglis assured. at gaze before
the easel. Penoyer standing to one side, his glancs
wavering between his model and the portrait.
You haven't changed your mind. have you3"
Inglis advanced at length.
About what?" Penoyer parted uneasly.
"Selling?' tH III
Penoyer hesitated s'Its-it's quite the best
'Weil?' interrupted 1nglis. insolently. you
don't want five thousand, do you?"
Penoyer blushed painfully. No. he said slow.
~; you know very well my works not worth 70
much to-day. But do want thousand"
you'll sell for that?" ss -
''Yes-for cash" Penoyer conceded. k-------.,
.WilI a cheque next Monday do youf" -
.Done!" Inglis slapped his puttee exultantly
with his riding-crop The girl was conscious Of his
glance upon her, informed with extravagant malice
She sat sunk in ineffable misery, deaf to his con-
made off, too polite to linger and gloat over hel
discontinue, lest Penoyer should find cause 70
change his mind again.
Az he went another took his place at tho door
student occupying one OF the other rooms ID ths
building asking Penoyer to step into his place
for two minutes and help him out with somo techni
cal difficulty. The painter followed him. Eleanor
was left alone.
Abruptly she left chair, feeling only that she
could not remain to face Penoyer again.
She struggled dazedly into her coat, put on her
hat. and darted quickly down the empty corridor.
blind with anguish.
In the dull warm dusk Of evening. she returned.
when he would most probably be absent, dining.
But even If he were there she determined
the floor rose the gaunt framework Of the eassi
that held the Brown Study. now invisible behind IT.
dust curtain.
With an audible sigh of relief the girl pushed
the door to. Beneath the skyght she paused to
examine her purse and reassure herself asrt8
safety of its contentsten one-hundred dollar bills
ly Hrauv from her hprk hat mo NJ 0rN
Thrusting the curtain aside, with adroit fingers
she unfasened the canvas and lifted to the floor
itself not too large for her to carry through the
darkening streets, In that neighborhood where the
nothing uncommon, even in daylight. And then she
hesitated temporarily at loss for place to leave
he bills, where Penoyer would be sure TO find them.
where another would not think of looking
In the corridor footsteps sounded. A man
laughed briefly, and then she heard Penoyers voice,
subdued and steady In panic she cast about Tor
His footsteps we're approaching. but an inter
ruption gave her an instant,s ADVANTAGE. Someone
to reply.
"Penoyer?" Her heart leaped and fell: It VA
1nglis Il say. Pen. want to see you moment
Trembling with dismay the girl seized the can
vas and bore it with her behind the screen. from
invite invite 1nglis to Come in, then And the two mel
entered. match was lighted; gas Jet Jared
Then the painters voice: "Well2"--with note o.
4 got your note at the club" 1nglis spoke viii
restrained heat. II want to know"
Doesn't the note explain itself? I've decided
not to SELL
'But-damn it!-you agreed; bargains
bargain. intend to hold you"
a.. You'll find that hard Job. won't sell. That's
II suppose you think you'll set higher price
by holding IT,
Possibly"
well can inform you that you're wasting
'You mean Miss Rowan? What shout hort"
'You don't mean to say you don't know shei
my fancee?"
know sas ssnsss.
cumstances don't bear out your statement"
Why you damned little tortune-hunter-
''Inglis!" Penoyer cut him short In q tone 30
imperative that the mans rage choked him. he.
fore throw You out of that door, sir. give you
two minutes to explain just what you mean b
'Mean!" Inglis snarled. Il mean you know
we'll enough she's got small fortune in her OWL
trait in order to make gallery-play-''
That's enough" interrupted Penoyer, Nov
I'll throw you out Of the door for your insolencs.
anyway; but first want to say something
didn't know this. only agreed to sell the picture
to get money enough to ask her to marry me- Ap..
parently she resented the sale, she ran away, and
i've no notion where to find her. Now Mr.. Inglis,
There was scuthe OF feet, sound OF hurried
breathing; an oath from Inglis and an abrupt,
heavy fall in the corridor Then: Had enough?"
inquired Penoyer from the threshold.
VI But Mr. lnsllS was SaLiSHeu, IL appeared. VIII
some indications of haste he departed. Penoyel
turned back into the studio and stopped still with
a little cry Of rueful wonder; "Oh-h -
Eleanor stood by the edge OF the screen, poised
timorously, as II on the point Of flight. But she
met his gaze with eyes lambent with the light VI
her divine courage.
For space neither moved, nor spoke. Their
Penoyer shook his head smiling sadly.
"Of course" said he, you heard. -
don't know what to say to you, Miss Rowan
With an adorable gesture she raised h,r hands
and held them out to him. Can you,' she pleaded
in low voice broken by little, futtering catch
aren't you brave enough to -ay to me now what
you said q moment ago. when you thought >.
But Penoyer saying more.
HE}t 4bE