The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-04
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. THE DAILY STORY G
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The Gentleman IN The Straw Hat
JEy Philip Keam

s the gentleman IN the straw
sslss nsAs rad, the Rtue Fnaid = :
81 asbs 4fstsss inconveniqnt fipri3 ~
IS. ahiiii eseairpe said.ls
rBut pc insists" \
C'athaline trailed the snowy lengths
Of her &satin gown toward the door
j suppose | shall have to see him, ),
fshe sad. did he give any name?'
10" the maid replied, but he is
I he same gentleman that. came The
other day. knew him by his stFaN
ilat IL seemed sort of strange for "a
gentleman TO be wearing straw
4 aat in winter"
Yes. it does, Catharine said. and
went downstairs.
catharine greeted the strange
somewhat coOlly She had suspicious
O. a book agent, although second
glance at the man bsfote her rather
4 dispellcd this idea Re was shabby
lie came TO the point at once ~
@ant to paint your picture" he said.
Catharine looked at him haughtily.
Why, | don't know YOU Her voice
lad in it 4 note Of angcs but he d
no. seem disturbed.
# want to paint your picture he
repeated You are the most beautiful
wnman have ever SEEN"
8harine stood up. You have not
seen inc long enough to call me beau.
.ifil."
Il have seen you many times, he
id, "and last night as you came out
and crossed the snowy pavement on
4 the way to your motor, was stand
ing on the steps You were wrapped
in white furs and there We're dia-
monds in your hair I though of the
snow Queen about whom | used to
I read in my fairy books.
t'atharine leaned toward him eager
with interest Il remember she said
hut how cruel she was.
Yes,' he agreed. yes, but youi
Leauty--the wonderful white of ths
snow the white of your fnrs-I want
tam on my canvas must have
,ltm."
But again Catharine repellcd bin
, haughtily Il do not know you she
+, SAL.
d 4f sllS ntdu witt WI Hh'' nv i'P'f
, lation,' he admitted "and am poo
aud struggling for recognition, bu
! II love my art. | know ! am asliinS
. much, but no one will ever paint yol
/ hetier than | shalt paint you"
70 was said with the calmne6s Q
one who knows what he can do, an'
=. il spite Of his sbabbness, in spite o
, he peculiar circumstances of his com
/, lins, Calharinc felt herself drawn b
s me irresistible force into acqules
+ Cence.
OF course | could not come alone
she said
i do not wish you 10 come: hav'
n no studio. | want to paint you here,
:. Ills dcmaud was made so quietly
with suc1i perfect assurance that
i, ould BE granted. that again she
Feave III wfakly when he had gon,
however and she told atsihe table o
; HE strange circumstance her ncthc
/, c>caimed agains he unconveJdiOr
, ;iliy. aud her father spoke G In
) danger ofiadmitting an mlinown na
;, tJathc house. Her cousin, Bctt
!" i'afncs, howeyes, who was spcndin
thc winter with her, thought il somt
th pg of an adventure.
,iae'It has been so deadly dull lately,
ghe said, just teas, receptions an
things Can we all come in and Sc
him paint you, Catharine?
"Cf course you can Catharine al
srered, but he wont interest you
Eruy. He is the shabbiest man yo
a-tr saw.
But as Catharne learned to knoN
he painter she found that il was no
poverty alone that made him wea
a straw rat. So completely was II
wrapped up in his art that he though
4iliitle of the things that rule the aver
age man.
Gradually under his hand the pic
h,ee was taking on great beauty
y nile he painted he talked to hel
He had been everywhere, seen every
tnng She listened, and, when h
lcfi wished that she might listen still
You are falling in love with him,
Betty accused her
Calharines heart beat quickly, bu
ou wardly she was as calm and col
as ihe lady in the picture 'As If
could love man who wears a stray
hal in the winter she said.
II could loe mon like you
painter, Betty said.
l. was when the picture was a
blast finished that the artist demant
~ something more of Catharine.
Tomorrow" he said, will be m
'as, day here with you-it will be m
las, day OF happiness
she looked at him, her eyes shir
ing her cheeks flushed. why shoul
It be your last day of happiness?" sh
asked
c "Becausc must leave YOU h
6 lul@ her.
tor a moment they looked at cac
ulhcr aud the eyes Of the girl toll
fhc man something that he know he
lips would not utter He took a uuic
sep toward her. then stopped "Yo
Vuuld never marry me, he sai'
"cycn If dared ask You. ! hav
T. calhd NY picture The Lady of tlI
Is Flezep Heart. 4 Is not that 80
lb,'r no heart but YOU are cold.
y Size caught her breath quickly Th
o look had died ont in her eyes. Il al
@ glad you know me SO we'll, she SAT-
a AMI presently she left him and wen
away He painted until dark cam'
u anl lhen sat there without the ligh
dreaming in The biz char near Iii
= fireplace.
:. Presently someone came In softl,