Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-16
The Girl with Yellow Hair
BY MolIie Kennedy.


raghty came into that Bond street tea
room all the girls started. Her hair was
yellow, startlingly yellow, reminding
one of sunshine, of fields Of corn, Of
marigolds blinking at the sun and Of
golden daffodils. Miss Bates, the man.
ageress, said this; but Miss Bates was
Of a poetical turn of mind.
Later on Oscar Henderson boasted
that it was he who had discovered her.
The Bond street tea room was a fa-
vorite haunt Of several Of the academy
students, of whom he was one, little
coterie Of them gathering in one cor
ner, where they talked on art jargon
unintelligible to the ordinary listener
until one afternoon Mora CHANGED to
serve them, and after that they talked
of nothing but her wonderful yellow
hair.
That night Henderson burst in upon
his friend, Jack Mayne, who was smok-
ing and painting, his eyes dancing.
"Old man," he cried, I've found her.
I've discovered the poster girl at last"
Jack 'Mayne went on painting and
shrugged his shoulders.
you've said that before" he said
calmly. REMINDER the little Irish girl.
You said she'd do. Her hair was red"
But the next day when he saw Moira
Gerraghty he was quite as enthusiastic
as his friend, and as eager to discover
whether or not she would consent to
sit to him for a picture he wished to
paint. Her soft accent as she answered
him told him Of her nationality, and he
asked her at once II she were Irish.
my father was Irish," she answered.
my mother is English She Is an in
valid, and I am her only child, so I do
not like to be away from her a moment
longer than need. But If you will come
round and see her." she added quickly,
seeing the look Of disappointment on
his face, we can see what she says
about the sittings. You see" she said
with a smile, Il am only free on Sun
days and every alternate Saturday af-
ternoon; If you will come round and
see what mother says we might be able
to arrange something"
The following Sunday he went around
at her invitation, and found, as he ex-
pected, that the mother was lady, a
gentle faced woman whose white hair
showed signs of having once been like
her daughters.
Then began a series Of very pleasant
Sunday afternoons, for Moira had con-
fessed to him that she could not give
up the mornings, this being the only
time in the week she had to devote to
her mother; and each afternoon Jack
Mayne would join the rest Of the little
coterie, who had tea in the Bond street
tea shop and who now sought the par
ticular corner over which Moira pre-
sided.
Bit by bit Jack Mayne learned some
thing Of their past life. Mrs. Gerragh-
ty spoke but little Of her own people,
but he gathered that she had been well
born, and that her parents had never
forgiven the match with the penniless
author who had fallen in love with her
face, and since her marriage she had
had no communication whatever with
her own kin.
1t was when the picture was almost
finished that Jack Mayne spoke OF
showing 1t, and wondered to see the
sudden look Of fear which leaped into
Mrs. Gerraghty's eyes.
Must you put it in on exhibition"
she asked. Must it be shown?"
He explained to her how much de-
pended upon exhibitions, and MORA
sat with quiet face listening; but after
that Mrs. Gerraghty said nothing. Only
when Mora had gone from the room to
prepare tea, she turned with a slightly
flushed face to the young man.
you are obliged to sell your pictures
is it not so?" she asked, and he nodded.
How much do you expect to get for
for Moira's portrait?" she asked.
He named a sum, and she was silent
for a moment or two; then, looking
direct at the young man, she asked him
If he would do her favor.
Certainly. If it Is anything I can
do / am yours to command" he assur-
ed her, and she gave him a tiny key
which she drew from a box on the ta-
BILE at her side.
do you mind going to that cabinet?
she said, pointing to small oak cabi-
net which he had always admired, and
which stood in one corner Of the room.
This key will unlock the upper draw
er, and If you look inside you will find
a tiny sandalwood box. Please bring 1T
to me-"
He obeyed her directions and brought
the box, a tiny trife which seemed
reminiscent Of the east. She opened 1T
and took out a curious ring, which she
laid in his palm. 1t was fashioned Of
old silver, but held great ruby, gleam-
ing like a drop Of blood, and he ex-
claimed with pleasure at the beautiful
thing.
Yes, it is very beautiful" she agreed
"but it's value is of the most Importance
now. I do not wish Moira to know Of
this; but do you think you could dis
pose of the ring for me? I am In need
of money, and I believe it will fetch
good DEAL"
1t was not till week later that Jack
Mayne could spare the time to dispose
of the ring, and in the meantime he
had been very busy indeed, as the ex-
hibition at which ne intended to show
several Of his pictures was to be held
a week earlier than first intended, so
that he was forced to make arrange
ments at once. The picture Of MORA,
which was far and away his best piece
of work, stood in his studio complete,
but he hesitated little over sending it.
since he felt sure it was this fact that
had forced Mrs. Gerraghty to confide in
him, though as he stood and looked at
it he thrilled with pride, knowing it to
be really good.
Taking up the ring, he went out and