El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-02

, black bearded foreigner who stood IN
front Of them. They arose as Beatrice
entered, and when the two women
friends had greeted each other with
the superficial demonstration of affec-
ton customary in such cases, Ran
dolph presented Monsieur de Renac,
while Helen introduced Miss Damerel-
of whom you have heard me speak,
You remember we hoped to have her
at dinner with you and were disap-
pointed"
Miss DamereI gave Beatrice a
slender, gloved hand when the elder
woman greeted her, but she only
smiled as the widow said they had
missed her at the dinner. Which,
except for your absence, was delight
full she assured the girl.
The Picture
Then, following a suggestion from
her host, she went with him TO the
other end of the huge room The
place was Uttered with bric-a-brac
and the professional paraphernalia OF
canvas, paints. and other artistic
accessories found in studios, and Beat
rice had noticed only these when Ran
dolph paused
There he said softly, lis what
you came to see" And the widow
knew that she was face TO face with
the famous 'Iphigenia-"
1t was, she appreciated at once,
wonderful bit of work. A pale, slim
girl, with a rapt expression In her
dark eyes and faint flicker of pain
about her mouth, stood bound before
smouldering altar fire, while in the
background were maSSed band OF
somber. dark visaged, armored men,
their eyes set sternly upon the bright,
girlish form The eolorlng ana inc
mastery of light and shade were i'm
pressive even TO Beatrice, and she
gazed at 1t long in silence. Her
woman's instinct warned her against
fulsome praise. At last she said in
an aWed tone as she turned away:
I wish 1 might see the creator of
such a picture while he paints"
The words were uttered sincerely
and on the impulse of the moment,
but the artist caught at them eagerly.
IF you would only permit? 1 could
crafty that WISH" he declared in
earnest tones. Give me a few sittings
and let me paint your portrait"
Beatrice laughed shyly.
Don't make fun of meF' she begged
7 am only speaking the truth from
my heart insisted the painter Il
can't tell you about it now, but some
time I wish you would let me talk
the matter over with you 1 am very
DESTROYS of your consent
Before she could reply, the tea was
brought in by a servant, and the Quin-
tette gathered around a quaint Jap
anese table. while the conversation
became merry and general. At the
end of a half hour Helen and Miss
Damerel left and Beatrice followed
their example.
Sweet Words.
De Renac insisted Tolubly upon tax
ing the ladies' home in his car, which
was waiting below. There would be
room for Randolph, too, he suggested,
If the artist would leave his smells of
paint and varnish" and take a breath
of fresh air, an invitation which the
host accepted with alacrity. Thus it
came about that when Beatrice's home
was reached. it was. as last night
Randolph who, after assisting her
from the car, accompanied her to the
door.
May I not come and see you?" he
asked as the widow gave him her
hand on parting
7 would be very happy If you
would" she answered.
Then when may I call2" he quer-
led, following up his opportunity i'm
mediately.
Won't you come Thursday even
ingg" she suggested
'T have an engagement" he said
slowly, but" Frightening suddenly
Z shall break it"
"'Oh, don't do thatl~ protested
Beatrice, pleased, nevertheless at his
evident desire to avail himself Of the
chance of seeing her again
La refine le veutP he quoted,
smiling. Il shall see you on Thursday
ia refine lie veutP' repeated Be
atrice, as she entered her apart
ment- The queen commands it!' And
she, too, smiled.