Evening star., 1913-12-07
Drawings by F. Foster Lincoln


these last few days; but not until late yesterday
did guess it Cousin lnez
| expect the Ellins family want any too proud of
Cousin Inez, with; for among other things she's
got matrimonial record. Three hubbieS so far, un
derstand- two safe in a neat kept plot out in Los
Angeles; in the discards, she's just been cele
bratin the decree by travelin abroad. They hadn't
much of her for years; but durin this New York
stopover visit she seemed to be maxim up for lost time
About four foot eight Cousin neZ in her French
heels, and fairly thick through Maybe it the way
she dressed but from just below her double chin she
looked the same size all the way down Tie Bulgarian
sash sack of bran and you've got the model lnez
bear for sashes too. Another thing she strong
hair Course the store blond part dldn quite
match the sandy gray that grew underneath, and the
near-auburn frontispiece another tint still; but
all that added variety and quantity what more
could you ask?
Her bein' some pop eyed helped you to remember
Inez the second time. About the size of hard-boed
eggs peeled them eyes of hers was and most the
color. They say she's wise old girl, though,-car
three diff rent business propositions left by her
late string of husbands goes deep for classical music
and is kind of high priestess in the theosophy
game. A bit faddy, judged, with maybe few bats
in her belfry. t.-
But when it comes to investin' of her surplus
funds in Corrugated preferred she has to have good
look at the books first, and makes Cousin Hickory
E1lins explain items in the annual report Three
or four times she down the genra offices before
the deal went through.
THIS last visit of hers was something diff rent though
| took the message down to Martin, the chauffeur
myself. 1t was straight call on the carpet. "Ten
Cousin Inez the boss her before she goes
this afternoon says "and wait with the limousine
until she comes"
Old Hickory was pacin' his private Office, scowlin
and grouchy, he sends the word and it didn't take
any second sight to guess he peeved about some
thing has to snicker too when Cousin lnez floats in
Smilin muShy as usual.
She want sniln any when she drifts out half an
hour later. She's flushed behind the ears and her
complexion was little streaked under the eyes. She
holds her chin UP defiant though and slams the brass
gate behind her. Shed hardly caught the elevator be-
fore there comes snappy call for the buzzer
1Boy,' says Old Hickory, glarn' at me savage, @who
is this T. Virgil Bunn?'
Almost had tongue tied for minute he shoots it
at sudden. "Eh?' says |. At. Virgil? Why, he's
the sculptor-poet."
$50 gather from this thing" says he wavin' thin
book bound in baby blue and gold. @But what in the
name of Sardanapalus and Xenophon is scuptorpoet
anyway"
4Why, it's-its-wel, that's the way the papers al
ways give it." says l. Beyond that pass.
4Humph!" grunts Old Hickory. @Then perhaps
you'll tell me if this is poetry. Listen!
Like necklaces of diamonds hung
About my lady sweet,
So do string votive
All up and down each street.
They shine upon the young and old.
The fair, the sad, the grim. the gay;
Who gather here from far and
To worship in Great White Way.
4Now what's your honest opinion Of that, Son? Is
it poetry?
Listens something like it, says |; 3but wouldn't
want to say for sure
"Nor L. says Mr.. Ellins. @All I'm certain Of is that
it isn't sculpture and that should read any Of
it I'd be seascl But in T. Virgil Bum himself have
active and personal interest Anything to offer?'
@Not glnmer saysI.
@And suppose you could find nothing out?' he
goes