Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1910-07-28

While he painted ne talked to her.
He had been everywhere. seer every.
thing. She listened, and, when he left,
wished that she might listen still.
II was when the picture was almost
finished that the artist demanded
something more of Catharine.
Tomorrow" he said. will be my
last day here with you-it will be my
last day OF happiness"
She looked at him. her eyes shin
ing, her cheeks flushed. why should
1t be your last day Of happiness7" she
asked.
Because ! must leave you." he told
her.
For a moment they looked at each
other and the eyes Of the girl told
the man something that he knew her
lips would not utter. He took n quick
step toward her, then stopped. You
would never marry me-" he said.
even II ] dared ask you. have
called my picture The Lady of the
Frozen Heart 1t is o that you
have no heart-but you are cold"
She caught her breath quickly. The
look had died out in her eyes. Il am
glad you know me 30 well" she said,
and presently she left him and went
away. He painted until dark came,
and then sat there without the light.
dreaming in the big chair neal the
fireplace.
Presently some one came in softly.
1t was Betty Barnes. She came over
and looked at him. II have found
you out" she said slowly.
His eyes tried to pierce the dim.
ness. as he laughed softly. "Oh, Betty
Barnes" he said. who TOLD you?"
Betty touched the button and turn
ed on tho electric light. Let me look
at you." she said. She surveyed him
while he smiled down at her. 1T was
your pointed beard and the tan that
deceived me-" she told him CONFIDENT
ally, as she settled herself In another
big chair. Il had seen some one who
looked like you, but II wasn't until
yesterday that ! traced the resem-
blance to the picture that hung over
my brothers. desk at college,"
The artist nodded. Yes, ! poured
tea for you the time that you came
on to see Jacks room. ! have been
abroad since them and have learned
to paint, and I fell in love with Cath.
arine at the opera did not know
a soul to present me to her. ! did
not dream that you were here, and
wal bound that ! would paint her pic
ture. So made up my mind to come
here In an eccentric costume, so that
she might think that l wGa some
dreamy artist whom she could admit
because he fancied himself q genius
and because she might help him tc
fame"
Betty laughed. And now you are
afraid to Tess up" she said.
DO you think she would ever for.
give me! She is SO distant, 30 cold
80 hard to touch"
THAT shows how much you men
know about It," Betty said, scornfully,
"She Is dead IL love with you right
this minute"
But he would not believe 1t. There
was q look In her eyes today that
hAouo ho uOpo " q hiuulc.
! IT'S a mans place to let a girl know
that he cares"
But even wise little Betty did not
know Catharine. for the lady of the
frozen heart was In her room, dream,
Ing with her eyes on her own little
fire. the flames Of which cas-,
shadows over her thoughtful face
HE loves me-" she said to herself
but he Is poor and afraid to tell me-
So q little later she crept down to
him.
Betty had gone after an admoni
ton. Don't tell her how rich you
are. at first." she said. "or 1t will spoil
the romance for her"
AS Catharine entered the room she
found the man who loved her gazing
at the picture he had painted. She
crept up behind him softly. II wan,
you to paint another" she said.
He turned to her quickly. Another
p~icture" he stammered.
YES" she said. Il want you &c
paint me as the Lady OF Dreams
don't want any n or Ice or frozen
things, but flowers and sunshine
You have made me a thing of ice and
h%ardness-I want you to paint me al
a woman who can love-"
He stood silent before the beauty
Of her surrender. Gould you ever
love a gentleman In a straw hat2"
II could love-you."
After a time, when they had said