Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-20
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

NO" she replied, her eyes wistfully
upon the picture, II suppose he didn't.
She did not look at him: but he was
studying her face, which was still round
ed in girlish lines. She was wonderfully
fair, of the type distinguished by close
texture of skin and faintest color be-
neath-the merest hint of color. subdued,
half revealed, vague, like the pink
shadow in white roses. Her eyes at once
arrested and held his attention. They
were blue-the indefinable blue Of sun
flooded mid-sea-and her dark head had
not prepared him for this. She looked at
him gravely once. but. with the portrait
still In her eyes, only half seeing him.
The detection of the young aspirant who
UNNECESSARILY beyond his own powers was
written upon her face. Wayne had ex-
pected that she would show embarrass-
ment when he revealed himself. but her
Indifference piqued him. Here. clearly,
was no subject for easy conquest. She
seemed sincerely interested in the beauti-
full painting before which they stood, and
perhaps, after ALL she was not the usual
paint-smearing trifier, but serious stu
dent. She spoke further of the portrait.
and he had now a half-amused sense that
she was speaking to herself rather imam
to him. He was, in way, lay inquire.
to be suffered for moment as though he
were as wooden as the bench from Which
he had risen.
II was trying to copy the hand-the
fifth time today.and Simply tp cant 90 II;
it is perfectly natural; but can't get
it: simply can't.
She uncrumpled her sketch and glanced
at it again: then with fresh disdain she
CIV
ped and he picked it up. The point was
broken. She put out. her hand Tor IT. but
he looked at it ruefully. -.
eff you can wait a moment Will
NO. thank you. I must get my things
But to leave. the gallery with spoiled
sketch and a broken point to your pencil
would be most unfortunate. II you WI,
hold the paper to catch the shav1ngs LII
away armed for another days attack. To
retreat now. discouraged. with a point.
less pencil would never do in the world
He laughed his pleasure In the en-
counter. She carried her dark head a
little high; and now that he looked di-
rectly into her eyes there lowered In them
the faintest hint of gray that further
Strengthened the suggestion of the sea.
Il am not the least superstitious, she
said.
not think of allowing you to leave with
broken pencil. Something would I'M
doubtedly happen to you on the way
home"
He had caught her attention; his man.
ner was half hooking. half serious: ana
he drew out his knife to prolong the inter-
view. Flattery spoke In his WORDS ana
manner. Wayne Craighill was not ig-
norant of the way of man with MAID.
The girl held the paper While ne sharp
ened the pencil deliberately. and she took
careful note of him and his belongings
1--WE must be very careful not TO drop
the shaEings. The curator would make
terrible row about it. Now that we seem
to he alone, with a knife in our posses
sion. we might cut this portrait out or Its
frame and you could take 1t home to
study at your leisure. Rolled up you
comb carry 1t right out5of the front door,
and the newspapers would have seven
DAYS wonder, the stolen Sargent! Tnere!
Not bad Job il I do say it myself.
He handed her the pencil and took from
her the paper with it's shavings ana ieao
dust.
NOW. it's only fair that I should have
your sketch for my trouble: shall keep
it as a slight souvenir-of the peeinnihg-
of our acQuaintance-
He was folding it carefully to hoid the
litter. and he glanced up to find that she
had flushed angrily.
"Give it to me. please"
But really
Give 1t to mel
II beg your pardon.
She held out her hand and he placed the