The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-10-08

you are mistaken. | do. am in them
constantly. That | am not an artist
does not prove that | am not a Bo-
hemian, and utterly accustomed TO
freedom of thought and action!"
Now listen to me, and don't cry"
said Cassie. There's nothing to weep
over. What I'm going to tell you Is
the straight goods, see? I'm not ex-
actly a lady myself, but | know the
real thing when | see 1t, and this time
it's you, with no mistake!"
They seated themselves before the
fire now, side by side, Iris submitting
meekly to being placed as Cassie indi-
Gated.
Now, I'm not a swell" began Cas-
sic; and probably you'll say amt
fit to advise you. And so | amt, but l
do know something more about this
world than you do. That's pretty clear,
and | want to slip you a tip. It's this:
You carefully brought up girls think
it's a great lark to come into 'Bohe-
mia as you call it, and do crazy
things, as though you was in a foreign
country where you didn't expect to be
seen. It's that queer notion, that what
people are told not to do, Is fun to do,
that's brought you here. You came
alone because 1t made you feel like a
real devil to do 30.
And there's another thing" said
Cassie. They are all alike In N
thing, the men are. The harder a
thing is to get, the worse they want
1t. oh, don't mistake! There's no
sense in being ofilsh. But there's no
use running after them, believe me!
You'll only scare 'em to DEATH"
But I'm not" began Iris, painfully
conscious of having come Alone for
the express purpose Of giving Pedro
the greater opportunity for sentiment.
Then mind you don't!" said Cassie,
rising as the door flew back to admit
Pedro.
Madonna" he cried, throwing the
parcel that he carried upon the table
and going to Iris with outstretched
hands. 81 entreat your forgiveness. but
there was no paint with which to make
the divine blue-see, like this!" He
swooped down upon a length OF silk
which lay near by and flung 1t upon
her shoulder. II have 1t now, and you
will not be angry because | was alb
sent, eh?'
"oh, no." she answered. beaming
at the sound Of his voice.
He next turned to Cassie, the sight
Of whom did not discomfort him in the
least, a fact which Iris noted with re-
lief.
"The cakes we're wonderful" he e.
claimed to the model. Not until a
moment ago did | realize that you
must have made them yourself. |
thank you'll" He kissed her hand.
You know this lady, Miss Wander
pool?" he asked. taking her to Iris.
This is a friend who has been 30
good to mel"
She has been kind to me, also"
said Iris.
"Ah! she is Sour friend, Madonna?
That is good! | did not know. How.
ever, we will get to work 10Y II you
are willing. Step upon the platform,
sol"
Cassie, having gathered up the re
mains of the little cakes, to which Pc.
dro had evidently referred. was about
to take a reluctant departure, when
Iris, turning around under Pedro's
guidance, stopped her with a gesture
Don't go away she said shyly
moved by an impulse she could not
have defined. IF you are not toe
busy, won't you sit In here? You viii
give me confidence"
"All right, I'd just as soon," she re
marked nonchalantly.
The elder girl went silently to the
bookcase and stood covertly watching
the painter, who already seemed t
have forgotten the women.
Before many minutes had passed
Iris herself became aware of Pedro'l
detachment, and knew that she need
ed no guardian to protect her from
this distracted spirit, who, with ear
nest brow, labored so %devoutly at tn,
rudiments of his work; knew, also
that the smaller conventions of lif,
had no existence in his mind, and tina
he had noted her request to Cassie a
little as he had noted the fact of he
originally having come alone.
The morning wore on very quietly
and in the rests little was said.
One o'clock came and went, and still
they needed not, and 1t was well Of
toward two when the first interruption
occurred. A timid knock sounded a
the door, as though some tiny chill
were seeking admission, and then. be
fore Cassie could respond to 1t, tn
gigantic figure Of Leigh slipped |
through an incredibly small crack, an
looked about him. Iris smiled a gree
ing, but did not move, and Pedro di
not notice the intrusion. Leigh droppe
into a chair beside Cassie.
"There!" ct last exclaimed Pedrt
throwing down his tools. Enough 70
today"
81 should think sol" cried Leigh
"You look exhausted. And you, to,
Miss Vanderpool. | didn't know yo
had met Pedro?" he continued, he'll
ing her to descend from the mod,
throne. you see, | have been ava,
and am behind the times"
"Oh! yes, we are friends" said p
dro, his face lighting up wonderful
- nInht Of ninh MNNnlnnmn hnm1