The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1913-05-23
HER LITTLE STUDIO
She Assumed "HifaIuting" Ways,
But Was Only lust a
g@ Woman After All.
Bv M. A. TAFT.


leave my comfortable little fiat and
my nice little studio to follow home,
less army officer all over the world
she laughed back at him.
They were in the nice little
studio" The girl in her dark plue
sculptor's apron, vivid and alert, ner
eyes brilliant beneath the thick, dark
brown lashes was dabbling In clay
The man, young army captain, home
on a furlough, sat astride a chair, MS
arms over the back and his express
sion was gloomy as he watched her'
1T is all tommyrot, Edith, ne
said. you ought to marry me Tor
your own sake. It's your duty TO
your art to fall in love. Oh, I've read
all tie rubbish they write about IT,
You will never be able to express
yourself until you have known love-
Doesn't that sound well?"
aren't you ashamed of yourself
Dick?" the girl interrupted him in
dignantly the warm color noodlhg
her checks. 81 don't know what you
are talking about and you don't
either"
"Oh, yes do" he said. Il know
about these artist people who have
a great gift for the world. And 1t Is
very hard on the world or that pare
of 1t that cares for them. A woman
particularly thinks she has to sacri-
fee everything to her art. LOOK at
that little Cupid you have MADE.
He's nice little chap I'll admit and
you look at him with the rapturous
eyes of a mother on her first born,
but what is a piece of stone to nice
little flesh and blood"
Dick" she interrupted with fash
ing eyes, IF you say another word
like that I'll not stay here another
minute"
He drummed sulkily on the back OF
the chair and remained silent.
AS the silence heightened the girl
grew more cheerful. She locked at
him surreptitiously out Of the corner
of her eye and smile curled her
lips.
Besides, I've made a VOW" she
said finally.
"A vow!" he said desperately, He
knew that having made a real resolve
she had strength of mind enough to
keep it.
you will never marry?"
Something like that" she an
swered and this time her whole face
which she turned from him dimpled
with smiles,
We'll. you'll be sorry for it." he re-
turned, for you know you are des-
perately In love with me-"
81 have a very warm feeling for
you, Dick" she said demurely. Il
am as fond of you, almost, as II you
were my brother"
Her dlgnihed attitude as she said
this, bending over the clay, belied- a
laugh which nearly degenerated into
a giggle.
The man on the chair gave a grunt
of disgust.
1T Is for that very reason" she
went on sweetIy. that should never
think OF marrying you. We artists are
ALL heard woman writer say 1t
the other day-we are all cranks. II
is impossible to get along with US
We must be alone, or our nerves get
ragged edges"
you are too blamed healthy to try
that dodge about nerves, Edith" he
interrupted rudely, in very bad tenn
per. "You couldn't bring a nerve ia
the surface to save your life-unless
perhaps some one should do some
thing to that beastly little marble
chap over there and then perhaps
your motherly instincts gone astray
might rebel"
She continued. amiably, paying nc
attention to him.
you may find US very sweet and
lovely when you see US for a short
time"
Il don't find you at all sweet ant
lovely" he said GROSSLY.
'But 1t would be impossible L
spend a lifetime with u.s." she finished
serenely.
I'D risk IT," he said shortly.
The girl sat down in a chair anC
laughed.
What beast you are, Dick!" sh'
cried. Here have preached yol
the lovellest little sermon all full o
noble sentiments and you don't car
a bit about It,"
He did not answer.
you haven't asked me what m,
vow was"
"Oh. don't care" he said.
well. shall tell you. hav
vowed I will marry only the maj
who can return me the four lost bead
from my red Jade necklace"
There isn't such thing as re-
jade" he said.
Eyes there is" she answered II
Is very unusual. but there is such
thing and | have a necklace Of 4
beads OF It. At least there were 4
beads. but BY mistake the iewele
who fixed the necklace gave four Q
the beads to another woman"
81 suppose It is easy enough to &c
them back from her." he said.
..Mn ahn ruaa IN nni. nR-fnuln NON