The Irish standard., 1911-07-08
"only this-not a word as to who

"Only this-not a word as to who
sent it. Thanks"
/ An hour or so later Doreen looked
up with startled eyes, but took the
folded paper. She read quickly: May
have permission to submit por-
trait made from a sketch Of you to
prize competition? If SO, tie some
thing around the top of your easel and
will know that l may"
With scarcely shade of extra color
in her face and In a preoccupied way
Doreen tied her handkerchief about
the top of her easel. then went to
work.
Everly was distinctly irritated. She
had shown not the slightest interest in
her unknown admirer had not so
much as thought out the situation be-
fore giving her consent. She was as
Indifferent to his interest as she no
doubt was in woman's suffrage.
Everly selected a large, fiat brush
from his assortment and dug it vicious
ly into deep sepia and with one
stroke of the brush swept Doreen Nc
Wade's face from his canvas. But
Everly's eyes had grown dark and his
chin had lifted. He would open the
Titan girls eyes and he would paint
her portrait.
The first thing he did was to re-
move himself and all his trappings
from her presence.
Everly knew that the one woman
whom he wanted had come into his
life; he had not met and painted
dozens Of beautiful women without
learning to recognize the inevitable
when it finally came. Therefore he
set deliberately about his conquest.
The next note Doreen McWade re-
ceived made her blood turn from its
even course and her eyes flash. She
read it over and smile not altogether
cynical crept into her eyes. You may
as well be getting together the thing
called trousseau. intend to marry
you before three months have passed"
Doreen tore the paper into a thou
sand pieces. During the remainder of
the day she cast occasional glances up
as someone entered the room, but each
time her eyes returned to their work
with shade of disappointment.
1t was not until several students
days had come and gone that Everly
entered the room In which Doreen
worked. Then he strolled casually in
and after conversing in low tones to
many of the students he approached
the girl with the Titan hair.
you are copying my favorite pic
ture," he said when he noticed that
her hand shook and refused its task
while he watched.
1T is more difficult than l antici-
pated." Doreen did not lift her eyes.
IF you don't mind a criticism-you
have just a shade too much red in the
hair-tone it down and 1t will soften
the entire figure" Everly voiced his
criticism in the same tone he would
have used to the big, husky Cuban in
the next chair. He waited moment
to see If she mixed the right color.
Aren't you going to try it?" .,.e....
II hardly know just,
"Here-let me-" Everly deliberately
touched her hand as he took her brush
and for second she turned her won.
derful half shut eyes on him. Everly
saw a spark Of the coming fire in
| them. He worked on her miniature
for a long time In silence.
| Doreen drew nearer him and
watched in charmed 81 pnce while
! Everly put few masterful touches to
her ivory When he had finished he
, stood up.
Il will come back in few days and
see what progress you have made"
! And when week or two had passed
! he again stood beside her. He took
ono look at her work and then his
gaze fingered long on the girls deli
! cate face. 1t had grown a trifle pale
and in her eyes there lurked a deep
| unrest.
You have made It worse" he said
after moment, during which she had
not looked at him.
II know TT have been unable tc
concentrate Notwithstanding,
| don't know what has made me unhap
! py." Doreen raised her eyes to Ever
ly's and the wistful appeal in them
went straight to his heart.
He took the brushes from her hand
and covered hers for moment.
Come down into the mummy room
with me-the mummies' ears are
wrapped and I will tell you what is
| the matter with you"
"Do you think you CAM" The color
had come back into the Titan girls
cheeks and her eyes were opening
slowly over lustrous depths.
Il know can" said EVERY.