Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-06-23
cHAPTEk "


CHAPTER v.
The Gospel-Boat Meeting.
When ! see curl of religion sproutinl
up, think it's best ter kinder shine or
It pleasant-like, but not to take too much
notice until 1t roots good.
Friday, the 18th, dawned clear and
mild for Miss Cynthia. and the early
morning breezes that ruffied the fail
hair on her pillow breathed no hint
of adventure, though they Weakened
her long before the usual hour. She
opened her eyes on window-framed
landscape with the down-river hills
and banks in the distance She had
the feeling that she was going on
with dream in the top OF the barn
In which she had been Just about to
voice her admiration for the picture
to a tall and glorified Miss Selma Lue
in gray knickerbockers, when her con
sciousness formed complete connec-
ton and she sat up and stretched her
white arms with smile. The i'm.
pertinence Of the man to presume to
mix in her dreams, even If his pic
lures were wonderful!
As Miss Cynthia dressed In, leis-
urely way she found it hard to keep
her thoughts from straying to the
bluff and the barn. She had for more
than week controlled the inclination
OF her feet to wander in that direc-
ton, and now she felt impelled to see
Miss Selma Lue and Blossom and
Oh dear! how she did love those pic
lures!
On her way downstairs she looked
cautiously in her mothers door and
found her awake and in the act OF
taking her morning nourishment
Everything Mrs. Jackson Page did
was in the way of a ceremony, and
she received Miss Cynthia graciously
lin a point-lace breakfast-cap. I.
How are you. mother, this lovely
morning7" she inquired gently. Mrs.
Jackson Page preferred to be spoken
to in cadences Of deepest sympathy at
all times.
"As well as can ever hope to be-"
she answered languidlY, though she
slipped with a degree OF relish the sec
ond cup Of coffee and began busi-
ness-like attack on a substantial tray
of breakfast the maid had set before
her. Are you going in to town to-
day l had hoped you would look at
that house on University avenue. II
have to leave my ancestral home
want place of abode suitable to our
position. It will not be for long, l
am afraid. and after am gone" she
raised a lace handkerchief to her eyes
and left Miss Cynthia in doubt as to
whether she was bemoaning the pros
pect of her daughters bereft condi-
ton on University avenue or her own
on one Of the streets said to be paved
with gold. 4 IN M
After a proper degre Of concern and
consolation, Miss Cynthia beat hasty
retreat down the steps. The telephone
stopped her on her way to the outside
world and an animated conversation
ensued, conducted by Evelyn Branch,
who was up and doing far earlier than
was her wont. n
"You dear thing" she hailed across
the city, ito be awake so early! Did
you get your worm all right? / was
Just calling to leave my number for
you. am so excited
Then / inter you did catch your
worm." laughed Miss Cynthia into the
telephone. II n 4 4
1T isn't worm am after: it's q
man."
TOO early then, dear. unless you
want brisk farmer"
Anything but, cherie! Listen! do
you remember my telling you about
that perfectly delicious man ] met in
Washington last winter?"
Which one 2"
There was only one like him.
You know, 1t was Alan Kent, the art
ist i told you about going to his
studio and what q compliment Aunt
Kate thought 1t was to have him ask
us. Don't you remember my telling
you about him? Ny dear. he was the
whole thing all winter. Well. grip
your heart tight he's here in the
city!"s AZ. x .,ss
Really? I" Miss Cynthia's voice tried
hard to be what Evelyn expected Of 1t.
Yes, II saw him on the street last
night. and before could make Har-
old stop the auto he was gone and we
couldn't find trace OF him anywhere.
Isn't II exasperating to think Of that
gorgeous creature loose here In the
streets, and times so dull In the sum
mer? There were only three men at
the Country club last night and they
were grumpy and attentioned to
oeath So glad you weren't there. for
y was bad enough without YOU
Are you sure you saw him?" ven
tured Miss Cynthia with no more than
polite show Of interest. ~ .5
Sure? Well, Alan Kent is entirely
100 distingue "a man for anybody to
forget. My dear. he is most attrac
live-and It Is SO romantic about his
lathef and all. The old man is a
lumber king and refuses to have any:
thing to do with him as long as he
paints And there the poor dear goes
along and prefers paltry little $4,000
CONTRACTS to decorate guild halls to
me old fellows millions Where do
you suppose he can be? had Harold
tesiephone all the hotels, md he IS