Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-02

surprised when Joan came to him after
eparture and told him that she meant to
finish her picture that afternoon. He
made no comment, however; indeed, he
was glad of her company. and the two
drove away together in the capacious
closed carriage that brought them to
and from cathedral and palace. Dur
ing their working hours they refused to
ehampered by the presence of servants.
An old Greek. who acted as caretaker,
took charge of canvases, easels. paint
boxes, and other utensils of the
painters craft, and he came out glee-
fully from his lodge as soon as their
vehicle rumbled under the deep arch
of the outer porch.
Usually Joan had a word and a smile
for him, though the extent of her Greek
conversation was a phrase or two
learned from Felix; but to-day she
hardly seemed to see him, and lost not
a moment in settling down to work.
She had not much to do; in fact, SO far
as Felix took note of her actions. after
adjusting the canvas and mixing some
colors on the palette, she sat idle for
long time, and even then occupied her
self with an unnecessary deepening of
t1nts IN the picture, which already dis
played an amazing resemblance to its
stilted and highly colored prototype.
At last she spoke, and Felix, perched
on a platform above her head, was
almost startled by the sorrow laden
cadence of her voice
did not really come here to-day
to paint" she said The picture is
finished; my work in Delgratz is ended.
You and Pauline are the only two
people in the world whom / can trust,
and | have brought you here. Felix, to
tell you that am leaving Delgratz to-
night
THE hunchback slid down from the
little scaffolding he had constructed
to enable him to survey the large area
covered by the frescos. Il suppose
have understood what you said" he
cried. 1T is impossible to focus ones
thoughts properly on the spoken word
its own, and | admit that / am in
variably irritated myself when / state
a remarkable fact with the utmost
plainness and people pretend to be
either deaf or dull of comprehension"
That was Poluski's wayne never
would take one seriously, loan
merely sighed and bent her head
You say you are leaving Delgratz to-
night. May one ask why?" he went on,
dropping his bantering manner at once.
No" she said.
Felix bassooned few deep notes
between his lips You have some good
reason for telling me that, presumed"
he muttered. uttering the first words
that occurred to his perplexed brain.
Yes, the very best of reasons, or at
least the most convincing. | cannot
remain here unless marry Alec. and.
as have absolutely determined not to
marry him, it follows that l must CO.
All. you are willing to give some
sort of reason, then" he said. AT
present l am muddled. One grasps
that unless you marry Alec you must
v not marry Alec? 1t sounds like a
# Euclid with the main clauses omitted"
nv, Felix, but l cannot explain myself
u came to Delgratz with me; will you
me to Parise If not, will you at least
lelp me get away and keep secret the
m going?"
, round eyed with amazement; but he
control his tongue. You are asking
ear" he said do you know what you
Do you realize what your action will
C? What has happened, some lovers
unlike you. Joan. If you run off in this
will be trying most deliberately to break