The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1912-07-06

is in litigation, and remains empty
from year to year. I am dreadful1y
down on my luck-Fm a painter of
pictures, and the world doesn't seem
to want my work-and so I'm living
rent free"
why. I am, too" she gasped,
''only I haven't the excuse of it
being my grandfather's house. But
1 knew it was empty, and it was that,
or charity, and so I took the chances.
l am a dressmaker, and 1 know I can
make money If I have a place to
work in. I've been sick and lost my
place with Madam Julie-Tm going
to pay back every penny Of rent
please believe that"
L do" he said, earnestly, "and I'm
going to move out and let you have
a clear field"
ooh, 1 don't want to drive you
away-would 1t be absolutely con-
scienceless for me to take a boarder?
There's an old lady who is going to
help me with my work, and she
wants a room the worst way, but 1
don't quite dare"
Il see," Kendall nodded. Now, sup
pose We quit our conscience this way.
III draw up an agreement in which
We shall promise to pay such sum as
shall be deemed adequate for the rent
Of our rooms on demand. Then, when
We have made the necessary amount,
We can hunt up the agent mad square
things with him"
What a perfectly lovely idea" she
agreed. "I11 run right over and tell
Mrs. Blunt
Mrs. Blunt was a motherly old soul.
She was radiant over the adventure
It's like being cast up on a desert
island" she said. why can't We com
bine our supplies, and I'll cook for
the crowd?"
The thought Of coffee is heavenly, .
said Kendall He went out and spent
his last quarter on fresh rolls and a
box of berries.
There" he said, as he set them
down. Let's eat. drink and be merry,
for tomorrow we die"
NO, we don't" said the girl, whose
name was Grace Kempton, for Mrs
Blunt and l are going to make such
gownsi I've staked my reputation
on certain rose-colored taneta.
which a little actress has asked me
to design. She knows I'm awfully
hard up and she wants to help me
out She knew me when I was with
Madam Julie; but of course, if the
gown doesn't suit here it will be the
last order l shall get from her. So
you see how important it all is"
Let me look at the silk" said
Kendall, unexpectedly.
Grace opened the parcel
Make it as quaint as possible, :"
Kendall advised. He took out his pen
ell and on a bit of wrapping paper
sketched an outline. You see, it
must be ankle length, with a putting
around the bottom, and she must
wear a lilac chiffon scarf around her
shoulders and a wide hat with Hlacs
and roses
How daring!" Grace exclaimed
But how perfectly beautiful"
In that moment Kendall came into
his own. ''If I can't paint pictures,
1 can design costumes" he decided.
By day he made drawings for the big
dressmakers. and at night he bent
over Grace's little table planning
with her the costumes which were to
make her famous, and which were to
bring automobiles and carriages to
the door of the shabby house.
Were getting a big business"
Grace would say, gleefuIly, and Ken
dal found his heart beating at the
intimacy of the pronoun.
Mrs. Blunt, seeming romance,
smiled over her embroidery. She
had two peacock's feathers to finish
on dull green satin gown, and she
was tired, but she felt refreshed and
helped by the sight of the happiness
on the two young faces.
They're just made for each other"
she concluded eff they'll only find it
out"
And they did find it out, and the
day came when thye packed their be-
longings and left Mrs. Blunt in
charge of the big house and sailed
away to Italy. where Kendall painted
pictures to his hearts content, and
where Grace wore some of the gowns
which she and her lover had designed
for others. For the grandfather's
estate was settled suddenly, and Ken
dal's share was big enough to make
marriage possible; and who else
should. he marry but the little lady of
his heart?
BrouynIno MisDrint