The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-09-08

~ 4
into the chair bearing Psaoyer greet 1nsis as If
Morning. Pen. Couldn't forget that study Of
yours. you know. and thought I'd drop up for
I'm glad you like it," returned Penoyer.
slight pause followed, Inglis assured gaze before
waverng between his model and the portrai
You haven't changed your mind. have your"
about what?" Penoyer parted uneasily.
Penoyer hesitated "u's-it's quite the bes,
weir" interrupted 1nglis. insolently. you
don't want five thousand. do your"
Penoyer blushed painfully. mo-" he said slow
ly; you know very well my works not worth so
much to-day. But do want thousand"
You'll sell for that?"
"Yes-for cash." Penoyer conceded.
will cheque next Monday do your"
glance upon her. Informed with extravagant malice.
eluding remarks as pleading engagement, hs
made off, too polite to finger and gloat over her
discontinue, lest Penoyer should find cause to
change his mind again.
AS he went, another took his place at the door.
student occupying one Of the other rooms in the
building, asking Penoyer to step into his place"
for two minutes and help him out with some techni.
cal difficulty. The painter followed him. Eleanor
Abruptly she left the chair. feeling only that she
could not remain to face Penoyer again.
She struggled dazedly into her coat. put her
hat and darted quickly down the empty corridor.
blind with anguish.
In the dull warm dusk of evening she returned
timing herself to reach Penoyers studio ut an hour
when he would most probably DE absent, dining.
The studio empty Only, In the middle Of
the floor, rose the gaunt framework Of the easel
dust curtain.
With an audible sigh of relief the girl pushed
the door to. Beneath the skylight she paused TO
examine her purse and reassure herself to the
safety Of its contents-ten onehundred dollar bills.
newly drawn from her bank that same afternoon.
Thrusting the curtain aside with adroit fingers
abe unfastened the and lifted It to the floor.
The curtain fell back into place. The portrait
itself not too large for her to carry through the
darkening streets in that neighborhood where the
sight of art students carrying their work about
hesitated. temporarily at loss for place to 1esve
the bills where Penoyer would be sure to find them.
where another would not think of looking
In the corridor footsteps sounded. A
laughed briefly and then she heard Penoyers voice.
subdued and steady. In panic she cast about for a
His footsteps were approaching, but an inter-
ruption gave her an instant's advantage. someons
to reply
"Penoyer?" Her heart leaped and fell: It was
Inglis. II say, Pen, want to you a moment"
Trembling with dismay the girl seized the can
vas and bore it with her behind the screen. from
which refuge she heard Penoyer somewhat coldly
invite Inglis to Come in, then" And the two men
entered match was lighted; a gas Jet Jared.
Then the painters voice: "Well?"-with a note OF
Il got your note at the club" 1nslis spoke with
restrained heat II want to know"
Doesn't the note explain itself? I've decided
not to sell" -, ,
bargain. I intend to hold you"
final"
by holding it,
Possibly"
''well. can inform you that you're wasting
You mean Miss Rowan2 What about herr"
''You don't mean to say you don't know she's
ny fancee?"
pause; then Penoyer, slowly: Moo, 1 didn't
know that. Furthermore. I don't believe it Ci--
why. you damned little fortune-hunter-"
'Ingis!" Penoyer cut MIN short in tone 50
ha vo the out Of THAI aoor s Give
that" HD'' " ~
we'll enough she's got small fortune in ksr own
right and that you're refusing to sell me this por-
srait in order to make gallery g.,ox .s,x
I'll throw you out Of the door for your INCIDENCE.
anyway; but frst want to say something :.
didn't know this only agreed to sell the picture
to get money enough to ask her to marry APP
parently she resented the sale, she ran away. and
I've no notion where to nnd her. Now. Mr.. Ingiis.
There was scufne OF feet. sound of hurried
Ing an the earraor TSan .T ae
inquired Penoyer from the threshold.
But Mr.. Inglis satisfied, 1t appeared. with
some indications of haste he departed. Penoyer
turned back into the studio and stopped still with
q little cry Of rueful wonder: "Oh-h! "
Eleanor stood by the edge of the tcreen, poised
tmorously, IL the point Of flight. But she
met his gaze with eyes lambert with the light Vi
her divine courage
For a space neither moved, nor spoke Tnen
Penoyer shook his head smiling sadly
."Of course" said he, 'you heard ]
don't know what to say to you' Miss fto"an'
with an adorable gesture she raised h1r hands
and held them out to him. Can you,' sns pleaded
in low voice broken by q little, nutterfnS oatcn-
"A rent Won brave enough to -ay to me new VA
Won said a moment ago, when you thought ..
BUT Penoyer was saying moro