Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-03
CHAPTER XV.-Continued.

Just as I smashed my fiddle! But no.
business. They are the supreme and ulti-
mate cOurt-thc lords OF high decision.
They have already fixed the fabulous
prices which YOU are to get for your por-
traits. Ny sister will undoubtedly have
you paint hers. IF You and she arc friends
YOU can't escape. Fanny's always hay
ing her picture painted
''Oh. but I'm not foolish as to thinl,
| could do portraits-not il | lived thou
sand years. Ny ambition stops at per
and ink. II can only learn to he just a
little bit Of an illustrator / shall be salts
fed
Excellent. / approve of that It's jus,
as hard they tell me, and the market is
better. When YOU are not studying OF
helping at the settlement house or listen
ing to music what do you do? You must
have a scheme of life all worked out fol
yourself
"Oh. 1 often go for long walks. in the
afternoon-take trolley as far as 1t vii
! carry me and then strike off for the hills
and walk and walk and walk"
Il suppose you carry sketch book Il
see how nature compares with the land
scapes at the institute?'
NO. landscape is beyond me: it's too
big for me. People interest me more
children particularly
models I needn't offer myself
mo, you needn't" she said, with sc
crisp an emphasis that he laughed.
But you might take me along to sit by
and sharpen the pencils; that would save
You a lot of bother"
1T might. but you see / use ink
Then" he cried. in despair. there is
nothing left me but to hold the bottle
Let's change the subject before you tel
me may not do that
ho1 of on ing hS
concert, the Craighill house. whose lights
flashed at them through the bare trees
and were now drawing cIcse to the
Blairs. She grew suddenly silent, then
stopped abruptly.
Il don't believe I'll go to see your sister
now-it's SO late. I'll telephone her that
I'm not coming"
You're afraid my sister won't like your
coming with me. isn't that it,"
NO. I'm not afraid of your sister-she' S
been kinder to me than any one else ever
was"
But you don't think you ought to 60
to her house with me. l would have you
know that my sister thinks rather well
of me!''
II must not do anything she would dis
like" persisted the girl.
You think she wouldn't like your going
there with me? 1 could leave you at the
gate!'
They had resumed their walk to avoid
wish to jeopardize the girls relations with
his sister; but 1t was pleasant to talk to
her; he had never known just this kind
of girl before. Her poverty, her igno-
rance. her ambitions interested him and
set her apart. 1t had never been his way
to hide his iniquities; he was persuaded
that he meant her no harm, and he
rebelled against the thought that there
were reasons why she should not be seen
with him. His own sister had expressed
&l,;e- olo ,.1,- ,0I, I'D ho not
what Fanny would say to him-one never
knew about Fanny.-and the hope that
his sister would seat Jean Morley and
himself at her dinner table only rose to
fade. Fanny was capable of 1t, but she
was capable. also, of scolding him sharp
ly before the girl and sending him out of
the house.
Mrs Blair has a right to question any
thing I do. She is doing great many
beautiful things for me-"
I are great pals" he said. lightly.
II couldn't deceive your sister. If she
should learn that you had walked to her
house with me without telling her. sic
wouldn't like it, and IL she knew she
wouldn't like 1t: so you can't know me
you mustn't know me! Nothing could be
clearer than that"
Il certainly can't know you this way:
that's as plain as daylight"
There's no way of knowing me at all:
for all. I'm very busy and have my work
to do.
well. we'll put it up to Fanny
And so, the girl still reluctant. they en-
tered the house. where Mrs. Blair darted
out from the library with many eX-
CARNATIONS. She seemed. on the surface.
to take the appearance of her callers as a
matter Of course, but she waved him into
the library with an air of brushing him
out of existence.
hi a ha al hn
books with view to determining In just
what field Of thought his sister now dis
ported. Miss Morley's errand with Mrs.
Blair was Of the briefest, and as they
appeared before them promptly. His SIS
ter's glance did not encourage his nope
to carry off the situation lightly: but he
could not do less than accept full re-
sponsibility for the visit and he resolved
to put a bold face upon it. Mrs. Blair
had Just rung for her motor. and she sent
the maid upstairs for her wraps, with the
obvious intention Of making - unneces-
sary for Wayne to accompany the girl
further.
have become acquainted in the most
astonishing fashion. We met at Pad
docks parish house not long ago by the
merest chance; this afternoon. while at
the concert, estimating the deficit Tor the
day, l ran into her again: and l begged
Miss Morley's consent to walk up here
with her, and here 1 am"
1T really was unnecessary murmured
the girl.
Il think you ought to tell Miss Morley
to give me just a little Of her time.
Fanny-just little. OF course, she Is
busy; but them
Mrs. Blair looked from one to the other.
The girl was so plainly embarrassed.
Wayne's good humor and high spirits
were so appealing. that Fanny Blair
found this one Of her most difficult occa-
sions.
I'm sure Miss Morley is quite able to
manage her affairs without any help from
me. Are you dining here. Wayne?"
I'm afraid l intimated as much to
Miss Morley SO she would let me come
with her; / promise never to tell another
lie He bowed in mock humility, but
the frown on his sisters face showed her
diSpleasure.
I'm going to take Miss Morley home