The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-07
THE EVENING STORY
The Gentleman i'm the straw Hat.
(By Philip Kean.)

(By Philip kean.)
ITS the gentleman in the straw hat,
miss. said the little maid.
It's most inconvenient time to
see him., Catharine said.
But he insists
Catherine traiIed the snowy lengths
or her satin gown toward the door. ct
suppose I shall have to see him." she
said Did he give any manner"
NO., the maid replied. "but he is
the same gentleman that came the
other day. 1 knew him by his straw
hat. It seemed sort of strange for a
gentleman to be wearing a straw hat
in winter"
Yes. it does" Catherine said. and
went downstairs.
Catharine greeted the stranger
somewhat coolly. She had suspicious
of book agent although a second
glance at the man before her rather
dispelled the idea. He was shabby.
He came to the point at once. II
want to paint your picture" he said.
CaInar1ne looked at him haughtily.
why, don't know you" Her voice
had in it note of anger, but he did
not seem disturbed.
II want to paint your picture" he
repeated. You are the most beauti-
full woman 1 have ever seen"
Catharine stood up. "You have not
tifu1'
II have seen you many times" he
and crossed the snowy pavement on
the way to your motor. / was stand
ing on the steps. You were wrapped
In white furs and there were diamonds
In your hair. I thought of the Snow
Queen about whom I used to read in
my fairy books"
Catharine leaned toward him eager
with interest. 81 remember" she
said, "but how cruel she was"
YES he agreed, "yes: but your
beauty-the wonderful white of the
snow, the white of your furs-I want
them on my canvas must have
But again catharine repealed him,
haughtily. ct do not know YOU" she
said
His head went up. "I have no rep
utation," he admitted, land am poor
and struggling for recognition, but L
love my art. I know I am asking
much, but no one will ever paint you
better than I shall paint you"
1t was said with the ca1mness of
one who knows what he can do. and
in spite of his shabbiness. in spite of
the peculiar circumstances of his COM
ing, Catharine felt herself drawn by
some irresistible force into acqui-
escence.
"Of course, I could not come alone"
she said.
II do not wish you to come; have
no studio. 1 want to paint you here"
His demand was made so quietly,
with such perfect assurance that it
would be granted, that again she gave
in weakly. When he had gone. how
ever, aQd she told at the table of the
strange circumstance her mother ex-
claimed against the unconventionality.
and her father spoke of the danger of
an unknown man to the
house. Her cousin, Betty Barnes,
however, who was spending the win
ter with her, thought it something of
an adventure
ut has been so deadly duh lately"
she said, "just teas, receptions and
things. Can we all come in and see
him paint you, Catharine ?'
"Of course, you cam" Catharine an
swered, but he won't interest you,
Betty. He is the shabbiest man you
ever saw"
But as Catharine learned to know
the painter she found that it was not
poverty alone that made him wear a
straw hat. So completely was he
wrapped up in his art that he thought
little of the things that rule the aver
age man.
Gradually under his hand the pic
ture was taking on great beauty While
he painted he talke- to her He had
been everywhere, seen everything. She
and, when he left, wished that
she might listen still.
You are falling in love with him.
Catharines heart beat quickly. but
0utward1y she was as calm and cold
Is the lady in the picture. LAS if I
,ould love man who wears straw
nat In winter" she said.
II could love a man like your |
painter" Betty said.
It was when the picture was almost |
finished that the artist demanded |
something more of Catharine.
Tomorrow he said, will be my
asst day here with you--it will be my |
asst day of happiness
She looked at him, her eyes shin |
ng, her cheeks flushed. why should /
t be your last day of happiness % she
IsIed.
Because I must leave you," he
old her.
For a moment they looked at each
'ther and the eyes of the girl told the |
nan something that he knew her lips
would not utter. He took a quick
would never marry me- he said
even if I dared ask YOU I have
allied my picture The Lady of the
frozen Heart 1t is not that you
lave no heart-but you are cold"
She caught her breath quickly The |
ook had died out in her eyes. 'T am
lad you know me so well,' she said,
nd presently she left him and went
way. He painted until dark came,
nd then sat there without the light,
roaming in the big chair near the
replace.
Presently some one came in softly.
was Betty Barnes. She came over
nd looked at him "I have found
on OUT she said slowly.
His eyes tried to pierce the dim
ess, as he laughted softly. ooh.
lefty Barnes he said, who told
on ?"
Betty touched the button and turn
d on the electric light. Let me
)ok at you," she said. She surveyed ,
i'm while he smiled down at her. TT /
'as your pointed beard and the tan I
nat deceived me- she told him con-
dentially, as she settled herself in .
mother big chair. II had seen some
ne who looked like you, but it. was
t until yesterday that I traced the
raicta,..<.- I.....e-