Evening star., 1911-01-22

FENWICK. said two three days later, when he
l came again my studio Miss Falconer is pretty
jectve; but had to go cautiously with Fenwck.
Really The sarcasm of his tone was biting. You
surprise mel
Pretty he blazed. And you an artist, painter
of women, connoisseur OF beauty" He laughed de-
risively. Why, man alive, she is wonderful.
bless you, FenWick! l had to hold myself down my
chair for fear should rush wildly to him. join my
voice with his in the hymn to beauty, and spoil
everything) Pretty he stormed on; why, Lynde.
only God knows what you want! Why, once heard
you say that Mrs Craigen was pretty
She IS, | defended Stoutly.
well, look at that portrait of her. he waved his
hand in the direction of my work, and then think of
Fai-Niss Faconer! If you could paint her
yes" my heart beat wildly that could scarcely
get the monosylabe out
You'd have something worth looking at when you'd
finished
"She would make an attractive canvas" l managed
thing I'd ever done.
"Attractye!' he jumped up, and paced the floor ex-
he to where sat and looked straight in
the eye I'll make you eat your words! Will you paint
Why yes" Thank Heaven l was able to throw
hesitation into my voice! For pure joy could
have fallen on Fenwicks neck
Il don't mean for pef,-1 haven't much money now.
derful subject"
why, yes,"' | hesitated again. was willing for
Fenwick to think me shady mercenary if he really
wanted to-
"All right. I'll get her consent. I'll deliver the
goods And if you'll put your heart into your work
the W a G' sb
only beautiful thing you've ever done!'
Need tell you that after Fenwick had gone actually
had happened just as had wanted it to- Fenwick had
walked into my little trap with the and grace
of an immature mouse. And had made my debut in
the role of Mr.. Machiavell
EENWICK sat in the studio all through the first three
or four sttings and much as could l kept my
enthusiasm under. was tremendously afraid of over
acting. 1t obvious, inevitable to me, that
archangel himself would have fallen down be-
fore the beauty of Miss Falconer, that think
have played part fairly well to have fooled Fenwck
Fooled he must have been considering his makeup or
else he paid the doubtful compliment of considering
not dangerous; for he took to bringing Miss Fall
coner to the studio. then going off to his club and
ing back for her when he thought the sitting
And every time CHANGED to him alone his rawlings
continued. There no longer room for doubt to
the involvement of Fenwick'S heart.
And as for myself don't in the least mind telling YOU
that those sttings while Fenwck loafed at his club
the JOY of my life l would stop painting every
now and then making fimsy excuse or other, for
the pure delight of looking at Faith Faconer q could
not think of her except Faith and of making her
talk And all the time, as Fenwicks best friend,
trying to be loyal to him, trying to let my worship
of the beautiful in the abstract evolve itself into
ship of it in the concrete putting my heart into the por
trait as Fenwc himself had suggested), but trying
with all my might and main to keep my heart out Of
reach of the portraits original Never once, by any
sign token did let Faith guess that had
her until that blessed day when she had with Fen
wick to the studio Never did give hint of the
dear held in that drawer of the old hghboy For
loyalty, am pattng myself on the back-decorating
myself with Victoria Cross for and signal service!
FAITH had come to me for the last sitting. For the
first time she had come alone. Fenwick had been
called of town for day SO, she said-once in
+I,o oh