The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-07
"A Virginian Page for Each Member Of the Family
The Gentleman in the Straw Hat
by PHILIP kEAN.

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 shining.
her cheeks flushed. why should ii
he your last day OF happiness ?" she
asked.
Because must leave you." ne toll
her.
For a moment they looked ut each
other and the eyes of the girl told
TIC man something that he knew her
~ would not utter. He took n quick
stop toward her. then stopped. You
would never marry me-" he said.
even IL l dared ask you. i have
called my picture The Lady OF the
Frozen Heart 1t Ia not that yoa
have nc heart--but you are cold"
She caught her breath quickly. The
look had died out In her eyes. II am
glad you know me so WE'LL" she said,
and presently she left him and went
away. Hc painted until dark came.
and then sat there without the light,
dreaming in the big chair near the
fireplace
Presently some one came in softly.
1t was Betty Barnes. She came over
you out" she said slowly.
His eyes tried to pierce the dim
ress, as he laughed softly, "Oh. Betty
Barnes" he said. who told you?"
Betty touched the button and turn
ed on the electric light. Let me look
al yeu," 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 confiden-
TALLY. Is she settled herseG In an
other big chair II had seen some
until yesterday that / traced the re-
| sem alliance 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 rooms. l have been
| abroad since then and have learned
| to paint, and ] fell in love with
| Catharine at the opera / did not
| know a soul to present me to her.
| did not dream that you were here. and
| | was bound that would paint her
come here in an eccentric costume, SO
| that she might think that was some
/ dreamy artist whom she could admit
/ because he fancied himself a genius
and because she might help him to
fame"
Betty laughed And now you are
afraid to Tess up" she said.
do you think she would ever for
give me? Hhe is so distant, so cold,
SO hard to touch"
That shows how much you men
know about Il" Betty said seornfui-
/ iy. she Is dead in love with you
right this minute"
But ne would not believe It. There
was a look in her eyes to-day that
made me hope for a minute"
It's a mans place TO let girl
know that he cares"
| But even wise little Betty did not
know Catherine, 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 cast shadows
over her thoughtful face. He loves
me-" she said to herself. but ne Is
poor and afraid to tell me- 30 a
little later she crept down to him.
Betty had gone after an 'admoni-
ton. Don't tell her how rich you
are. at frs. she said Tor 1t witt
spoil the romance for her"
| AS Catherine entered the room she
found the man who loved her gazing
at the picture he had painted. She
| erept up behind him softly. II want
you to paint another she said.
| He turned to her quickly. "Anoth-
/ E4.. 1sIGt12IE| AS. SfAfIaIsISIEu.
Yes she said. 1T want you to
paint me as the Lady OF Dreams.
don't want any snow or ice or frozen
things. but flowers and sunshine. You
have made me thing OF ice and
hardness want you to paint me as
q woman who can love"
| He stood silent before the beauty
Of her surrender. Gould you even
love a gentleman in a straw HAITI" he
! asked.
II conld love--you."
After a time. when they had said
all the wonderful first things that low
ers must tell he explained hts de-
ception. There was no necessity for
the straw hat" ne told her. NOR for
the shabby clothes" But he did not
let her know that ne was rich, he
wanted first to paint her as Lady of
Dreams and to feel the happiness OF
the man who knows that not be-
cause of hts position. not because OF
outward things. Is he beloved, but be-
cause OF his own true -worth-----