The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-10-22
CHAPTER XII.
A Compromise.

The day on which Iris came to
Pedro's studio for her second pose was
not that which had been appointed,
but one nearly a week later. During
the Intervening period the young
painter had remained locked In the
studio as long as daylight lasted,
emerging only at night. in company
with Leigh.
Pedro had given her no explanation
for putting her off. simply sending
word that he could not have her at
present. but would get some work
done on the background OF the por-
trait.
Iris had telephoned several futile in
yitations, and at last. catching Pedro
on the wire, had arranged for a sit
ting. At the hour appointed. she
mounted the stairs slowly, with fast
beating heart, starting and trembling
at every sound within the ancient
building.
She reached the door unchallenged,
and raped upon II.
Lady! Most gracious Madonna"
he cried in greeting, See. here is the
blue robe-quick, quick! / am all i'm
patience to begin. Do you know the
good tidings? OF the ridiculouely au-
dacious thing am going to do? Ex-
hibit my pictures! Yes, me. Pedrol
Ha! ha! am not unknown, 1t seemsl
Read the newspapers. | am Pedro, the
great Spanish artist! | do not know
how to paint, but 1t matters not; they
will say AN impressionist-Matisse
%outdonel' All! ha! your portrait will
be the chief gem OF the display. In
two weeks the exhibition, so /
must finish It soon, sooni"
During the first part Of the pose, he,
contrary to his usual habit. talked rap
idly.
1T will be a lovely exhibition" said
he. there will be Leigh's stuff--beau-
tiful marbles, rich In form, and with
such textures aud high lights. You
know! And the virginia. white bas-re-
liefs-the Joyous one of the ladies'
dancing. And around the walls, be-
tween these things will hang many
gorgeous paintings by that great Span
ish painter-myself."
Iris could not but laugh with him.
And OF all these fine pictures" he
continued. "the most lovely will be a
Madonna with hair that Is ~red-gold,
like Ioy!"
Then there was silence and he
worked fiercely, cruelty. for, as usual,
he forgot the rests. and 1t grew late
before either spoke.
At last, exhausted by the long pose,
by his Indifference, by her own emo
tons. she could bear It no longer, but
holding out her arms toward him, she
swayed slightly. and said his name in
a broken voice.
"Pedrol"
Then he saw how white and drawn
her face had become, and with a little
cry he dropped his palette and sprang
10 her side.
Madonna" he said, forgive me!
Come down! So! Let me help you.
Lie here upon this couch. Oh, | am
cruel and thoughtlessl"
Whimpering a little, she chung to his
arm. burying her face in the crotch OF
his elbow. fondling his hand.
Pedro. Pedro. | am go tlred!" she
said over and over again.
IL know A little sherry" he ex
claimed. "a bite Of luncheonl You
will zee now what q splendid house
wife | can really be, at need. We will
have a charming meal directly"
He poured wine into an antique
Venetian glass, and brought It to her
clasping both her hands about the
fragile thing as n would clasp @
child's unframed fingers around G
precious toy.
Drink" he commanded. "and liz
quite still with your lovely heat
among the caresslng pillows. You are
an eastern queen now. and | you
humble serving slave. See! Like
magic the feast shall a%ppear!"
Then he drew up a little round table
before the hearth. stirred the dyini
embers with fresh wood. threw al
Arabian cloth over the table and pro
ceeded to lay the feast.
She sat up and allowed him to fee'
her. The solitary fork gave then
much cause for mirth, for she insisted
that they share 1t. and before the mea
was finished they were playing lik'
children.
Pedro's moods we're generally FIRE
sistible, and he was determined tina
she forget and forgive his thoughtless
ness AS he sat opposite, seeing he