The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1910-02-02


made him whistle as be went down
two flights three steps at time. When
he returned he carried her down TO
the carriage with a masterfulness that
asked no permission. and she did not
demur when he took the seat beside
her.
II was not hard to find her ''sky par
lor," as Crane called 1t mentally, on
the Rue des Occurs Claires. He called
there the next evening. and she met
him at the head Of the dusty landing
with a shy dignity and led the way
into her attic apartment as II 1t had
been a Louis Qulnze reception room In
pink and gold. A young girl. younger
even than herself, sat In an easy chair
by the window and smiled up at him.
This is Lucille. my sister" Virginia
said simply. Cranes quick eyes mo-
ticed the slim pair of crutches leaning
beside the chair. He knew why she
had posed at Ribauts and Vivon's,
why she had not hidden her poverty
and starved in silent pride.
The next time he came he brought
flowers for Lucille. and new, grateful
friendliness flashed in the others blue
eyes.
1t became a regular thing. that walk
home from Vivon's to the Rue des
Soeurs Claires. She showed him some
Of her sketches. aud Crane promptly
took bunch under his arm and hawk
ed them around the art stores with
devout persistency his own had never
known. Before a month had passed
she had picked up odd work coloring
pen and ink proofs for one OF the
weeklies, and at last there came day
when she left Vivon's for good, and
the future was full OF hope.
"And we shall see. la-la-la; we shall
see now" laughed Yvette. HE is in
earnest, lie gros Crane. The wedding
bells will go ding-a-ling, and the little
white faced Virginia VIII have roses
in her cheeks"
"Its all your doing" Virginia told
him that night when they parted at
her door. II was worn out and heart
sick that day when l tainted, and you
cheered me, and-and"- She falter-
ed and held out her hand to him.
There was a FIVE franc piece in it.
"Please take 1t back" she said. wi
Won told me. and l think 1t was just
splendid Of you"
Crane flushed hotly, but he took IT.
He knew her pride and that to her 1t
was a debt of honor.
"And after today, whatT be asked.
81 shall miss the walk home, and you
will forget Vivon's and me-"
She bent her head low over the
bunch Of pink roses be had given her
for Lucille. and something In her ST.
lence gave him courage.
virginia, If you would only give me
the right to sweep you and Lucille
away from this. the sky parlor and the
struggle that never ends! I'm strong
and have gained a footing, and you
could study them" he rambled 90.
with boyish helplessness. I've loved
you ever since that day at Vivon's
when your head lay on my shoulder.
and / wanted to lift you up and carry
you away from 1t all-Laurier and
Yvette and old Vivon and all Of them.
You seemed so differentani little and
alone"
She was silent still, and be waited.
Out over the city some bells were ring
ing slow. sweet chimes, and the spar
rows were fiuttering sleepily around
the caves of the sky parlor over their
heads.
One of the roses fell at her feet and
he raised 1t tenderly.
"Do. you think | had better goT The
dark blue eyes looked up at him at
last. and be bent toward her eagerly.
virginia. sweetheart!
She held the roses close to her lips
and smiled at him over them.
won't you come up and tell Lu-
cille?" she said softly, and he followed
her up the long. dusty stairs to the
sky parlor.