The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-13
Rv HELEN ROSS


sparkling eyes were pleasant To see.
"oh. girls" she cried. I'm So sor-
~ to be late when it's my night to
cook
Yes. you cruel creature. I'm
starveo.' joked Miss Mason But
what Ii the excitement you're trying
20 keep from bubbling over"
The other occupants Of .he room.
Miss Day anticipating pleasant news.
The other occupant OF the roam.
closed her desk
IN too high in the clouds g. fly
potatoes, but hungery enough - eat
Them cried Jane. so como out with
me and I'll treat TO real dtnnrr."
My, but you're rash! YouIl not
be able to buy new shoes this week, ="
warned Miss Lay. -
BE neroiful and tell the ueyyl"
rnplored Miss Mason.
Jane sweep aside a number ~ PACK
2Ees and perehed on the cleared space
If the table.
Il cant believe my good fortune, +"
she began a trife unsteadny. Just
as I was going out for lunch h
stranger. all logged up In stunning
motoring costume, asked IL ] coui1
direct him to Miss Jane Carter, the
interior decorator. l hated him to see
that sha bby hole of a studio. but
there was no way out Of il He was
awfuiIy nice and didn't look around
a bit, and said / was recomr ended
highly as having excellent ideas ami
good taste. Isn't that lovely He r.
the big banker, Daniel Lord, ana
wants his country home decorated.
He took me there in his motor this
afternoon and the house is magnif-
cent"
You deserve it, dear" exclaimed
Miss Day. Il can't tell you how glad
I am that luck is finally coming your
way"
Really, girls, it will take months
to do IL as he wishes 1t done. and
while Ne were out there he suggest
ed one innovation after the other, and
is retaining me great deal longer
than necessary TO oversee details. Be
fore ! left he made me sign CON
tract--as II would balk half way"
It's ga well to have all that set
tied commended the BUSH ess- like
Mics Mason. II
rs he young, old of Indifferent o"
chimed in Miss Day. Married g.
About thirty eight and unmarried
Now Ill die if don't get something
10 eat. If you love me, COME
&TDhnSu Jane jumping plI AtlF III 1tts
They left the apartment and start
ed towards an Italian cafe. all TALK
ing at once The sudden change in
James fortunes delighted the older
girls Jane wes to start water-color
drawings OF the rooms the following
day for Mr. Lords inspection,
When the drawings were delivered
Mr.. LORD returned them personally
and declared himself delighted, in
sistfng upon paying a liberal retain
ing fee,
4 hated to take that money can
nded Jane, blushing a rosy red at tht
recollection OF her discussion win
Mr.. Lord Mr., Lord declared thal
II was only good business 70 accept
IL, ---..
when your time is taken for that
length of time you should De com
pensated,'' declared Miss Day
"Au the same. It seems 50 ma
terial," sighed Jane.
You little Ounce scolded Miss
Mason; "alI the big decorators do H.
what have you to live on while TINS
contract in on deck. Il requires your
exclusive attention and all other work
must be dropped
As the decorating OF the huge house
progressed, Mr.. Lord found IT OF such
absorbing Importance that he fire.
Quently called In the evening TO dis
cuss details. His great motor took
Jane to any country houses of his
friends which possessed unusual feat
ures and the great banker always
found time to go along and satisfy
his thirst for decorative knowledge.
These spins through the sorgeousiy
colored October country we're fairy
land to Jane. AS they were fire.
Quently late returning to town. they
dfned at queer inns or picturesque
farmhouses. James frequent latehess
seemed to pass unnoticed by her
friends. end as her financial affairs
improved. certain Injuries, hitherto
unknown, appeared In the apartment.
..Isu't she the darling" remarked
Miss Day. Just think OF her trudg-
Ir,g all the wsv to the market Tor
persinmons because she knew ! liked.
them Most girls would be too 'nueh
taken up with their own AFFAIRS TO
think OF others She's wonderfully
unseihsh."
Indeed she is, agreed Miss Mason
do YOU know | have an idea that
abe is very fond OF Mr., Lord In a de-
lightfully friendly way, SO let's De
careful not 10 spoil her innocent pleas
ure In his kindness and consideration
for her. Sha Is such sensitive lit
tie goose, and II she got the Idea
that his interest is more for her than
her work II would be II shock"
''Fie eant help aafniring her ~erh,
answered the loyal Miss Day. Meth
ar can he help admiring such an
earnest little worker Jane liz TOO
sensible to misunderstood his kind
ness"
She got up to answer the doorbeil
and returned carrying a long box
"Thats the third box Of American
Beautia. this week. xhe observed
Il hope he doesn't overdo 1t, be
gan Miss Day, anxiously. IT
But Jane returned from the coun-
try at this juncture and the sentence
was never completed.
It's just too wonderful! sighed
Jane. Il seem to be living In
dream. II hate to look around and
see how little there is TO be dcas-
Two more weeks and I'm through
Maybe you'll get Mr.. Lords town
house to do over" suggested Miss
Mason. the practical
NO Mr.. Lord means to sell that
town house and live exclusively ~ the
country. Personally, I can't under
stand why anybody should desire such
an enormous mansion"
Very likely he means TO announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day.
holding q sketch at arms length ana
inspecting Ii critically.
Jane gave an odd, hysterlcal gigsie
and jumped up quickly.
Good night. girls. I'm going TO
bed
But on the threshold she turned.
as there anything / can do for
eithar OF yn,I ~ she asked