The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-12
RY lola i'orreNter. J
Copyright 1911. by the Associated
Literary Press

I
Literary Press
I'D like to know where you in
tend TO put him. that's aH?s Dolores
stood on a chair to dust the grill work
t between the two front rooms OF the
tiny apartment. and her tone was far
from being philosophical On the
floor ~by the plano sat Gretchen In
gingham apron that nearly left her
/ in total eclipse and indusuiousiy
attacked the mahogany with a damp
chamois.
When one has an uncle who is
real live senator. one does not think
| OF such trifes. lie has telegraphed
/ his most gracious intention Of visit
/ ing us. Therefore. we must dust
and polish against the coming of the
! prince"
How old is he. Gret?"
I II haven't the least idea" said the
I polishing lady. cheerfuly. He went
cut west. or down to Texas, or some
+ such place when ] was bout as high
as this piano STOOL and he made his
/ pile, as they say, and got woefully
! rich don't think that he dug II ont
/ the ground II isn't a bit like our
! family to do that More likely he
+ invested in town lots and then boom
i ed the town. and made it the couu-
/ ty seat and got all the franchises
] that were budding The main point
i is that he Is very wealthy. and has
/ suddenly felt a heart throh. and a
call back home"
/ And 10 YOU"
That's only because there isn't any
home spot for him To touch except
J ing where ! live" Gretchen rubbed
4 vigorously, and her voice sounded
muffed. We're oil dead In our fam
2 a
! sweet self"
| Does he know that you sing
He doesn't know q thing except
/ tho number on the lower hall door
dear He doesn't know that this
artistic abode is all yours, and that
you're my only friend In the world,
and that I've been most horribly
sick. and that you found me In
measly hall bedroofn-why is ii that
lone damsels who are sick always are
discovered in hall bedrooms and
dragged nae here by sheer force, and
have taken care of me till / got my
grip back"
She stopped, not from inclination.
but because the feather buster was
TANNED forcibiy in her face
/ We won't say any moro about
that" Dolores laughed. We will en-
terrain our Senator uncle. Poor old
boy. Would he mind the davenport
much. Gret? 1t isn't SO bad Ii you
double up on it little. kind Of i'm
vert yourself. YOU know. How tail
is he?"
Gretchen disregarded the query.
The electric bell was buzzing. and
she hurried to the door
Telegram from uncle she called
back. ait fer tise answer IL m!a-
ute, boy
Together the girls read the slip of
yellow paper. Briefly it stated the
arrival of the senator, but that he
had been detained ny a business en-
gagerner1t, and woultf be Hate a'faa.
mo answer, boy" Gretchen called,
on Dolores face, as she stood holding
the telegram in her hand. Why,
what is it, DEAR :"
Dolores pointed one finger accus-
ingly at the name signed TO the mes
sage. Allan Esterbrook.
Why didn't you tell me his name
before? / can't stay here, Gret, dear"
Already she began taking off her
apron and kimono. Her face was
pale, and her eyes had filled with
tears, Don't ask me, please. He
doesn't know that | am here. SO ii
won't make any difference. Just say
1T Is all yours. the apartment the fur
niture, everything, and I'll run down
TO my aunts until he has gone. on.
Gret, you darling, l knew there was
. some reason why ] liked you best
Of all the girls at the Art League"
Mystihed, and very quiet. Gretchen
waited. after her chum had gone. She
had always admired Dolores Sayres at
the league, admired her clean cut.
Iclever draug and seast.for
the right form and line. She knew.
too, that she was we'll supplied with
money. Lots of the girls were. Do
|, Iores had seemed perhaps a shade
more dignlfied and reserved than the
rest, but not TO her. Why should she
suddenly run In "a panic at the sight
Of that name?
A little past 3 o'clock the Senator
arrived. Even Dolores would have APP
proved of him, Gretchen felt sure. He
}, was tall, and youthful looking, in
spite OF his dark hair just tipped with
silver.
$50 this ~ Your girl bachelor
quarters, is it o. he said after he had
kissed his niece and exchanged greet
, ings. II did not know you were so
well situated Art Is not so bad. af-
I ter all"
| Gretchen smiled. but shook her
head. Then her old sense of fairness
got the better of her discretion, and
she told her side of art life. even
| down to the hall bedroom, with the
wolf growing in at the keyhole, as
she put it. Someway. 1t seemed easy
to tell 1t ALL now. sitting on the low
tahourette, with the Senator listening
in silence.
Wen change 1t all now, grille" he
said when she had finished. life has
not played very fair or gentle game
with me. I've lost the dearest gift it
gave me. the girl l loved
How did you lose her, Uncle APP
asked Gretchen suddenly,
"A telegram came for me while we
were on our honeymoon. 1T simply
read like this, Belle will join YOU at
Portland
"Who was BELIEF?
"Ah, that Is the question we divided
on" smiled the Senator. Dolores
l"Dolores?' exclaimed Gretchen,
flushing happily, and clasping her
hands. II thought so. Go on, quick,
Uncle AL
-'she would not listen to explana-
4