Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-21
Sunlight on Her
Shoes
By GLARISSA MACK1E
Copyright, 1872 by Associated Literary
Sress.)

From Ter perch In the old apple
tree Lila Moore looked down the
orchards dappled vistas. 1t was very
quiet and sleepy there in the summer
afternoon and the lids dropped over
her dark blue eyes and the book
half slipped from her fingers. Her
bright hair against the sober brown
of the tree trunk made a flash OF
golden color
When she opened her eyes again
it was to gaze Incredulously and then
with growing Indignation at nat
less young man sitting before an
easel and undoubtedly painting ner
picture
Lila coughed.
The painter looked up and slightly
frowned. III you could hold that
position another Instant" be pleaded.
You have no right to paint me
without permission" protested Lila
Indignantly.
Il could not ask permission With
ort awakirg you," he said mildly.
was not really asleep.
But 1t would have spoiled the pic
;ture If you had stirrcd-the light on.
those leaves Is perfect He gazed at
the heavy branch beyond her where
the sunlight struck wafAly through
the pale green leaves.
Miss Moores instinct was to de-
,scend from the tree at once. but on
second thought she decided not to
spoil perfectly good picture BY
changing her attitude.
She wished that she knew more
about art so that she could talk to
the painter. who was strangely abb
sorbed In his work. He was slen-
;derly built youth with DARK. keen
face and bright black eyes. Lila was
mot surprised that his clothes were
shabby, and she had no doubt that
he was poor Perhaps this picture
would bring him fame and fortune.
81 wonder what he will call It, she
IsoliloQuized. "Perhaps-Girl IN the
Apple Tree or something like that"
Its very good Of you to favor me
in this manner" said the artist al
last as he gathered his pencils and
clattered them into the box beside
him. THE instant saw the sunlight
on your shoes said to myself
Here's what you're looking for.
Wilbur"
The sunlight on my shoesr
shrieked Lila
He nodded.
Would you like to see the thing?"
"Of course" said Lila rather crisp.
,ly, zone cannot help but feel q little
curiosity concerning ones own pic
ture."
The. youth looked rather discon-
certed at this remark, but he stepped
forward to give the fair model help
ing hand But Lila needed no assist
ance. She sprang lightly to the turf
and fastened to the easel.
She swept one glance at the strong
pencil drawing and stared for one in
credulous instant at the artist, Their
with haughtily lifted nose she flashed
about and disappeared among the
trees.
The artist gazed ruefully at bio
drawing Of the apple trees, With the
girl sitting in an attitude of careless
repose- He had produced wonder
sul effect of light and shadow with
his pencil, and the little buckled
shoes braced against the tree trunk
seemed fairly to scintillate with bril-
llancy.
But he had left Lila's lovely face
out Of the picture! Her hair was
there and her softly curved throat
and everything save her features.
While he stood there she came
back again. her white linen skirt
swlshing the long grass as she hur-
ried toward him. Her cheeks were
bright with color and her blue eyes
sparkled dangerously.
Pardon my curiosity, but will you
be good enough to tell me why you
left my face out Of the picture2"
ITS for an advertisement, you see,"
he said, coloring. land could not
take the liberty Of having your face
scattered broadcast over the country"
"On! And what will you do for
faceo" asked Lila. in an absurdly re-
lieved tone.
81 shall find professional model
to sit for that in town. The whole
attitude was so charming-it would
have made great picture in oils" he
said with enthusiasm.
why didn't you paint 1t in oils,
then?' she asked.
His face clouded. Cant afford to
spend the time now. I'm In the az
vertising line and I've got to stick TO
1t for a while. Some day, when I've
got enough saved up, I'm going to cut
this stuff" He nodded savagely at
the drawing.
TITS splendid-as it is" said Lila
do tell me what it IS going to ad
,vertise?"
Again he colored with embarrass.
rment "Closefit Shoes" be said.
'grimly.
0I.a .1>,+ x,-oe u-by 1-oy u-os 81 NOV