The Spectator., 1914-12-04
CHAPTER Vli-Contlnued.


 You're new to this crowd?" asked the man at Pedro's elbow.
 "Yes." Then brazenly-"A friend of Miss Vanderpoole."
 "Ah!" said the man. She's good dancerl"
 "Yes."
 Not like the other, though; eh. what?"
 What other?" asked Pedro.
 Why, Ruth St. Johns, of course! Didn't you see it?"
 Sorry did not see 1t. Tell me who some of these people are." he added ''Who Is the little man. the host?"
 Yes, that's Don Milligan," replied the man, seemingly not in the least surprised at finding a guest who was ignorant of the hosts name. He sure is a nice little fellow-a corker. Don is Not bad painter either. though he's never done as good work since he's married. Can't, of course. They have kid, you see, and they've got to live. His wife's a wonder. Ask any of the boys! That's Bell over there, talking to Gester. the sculptor"
 And the tall man with the so sadly dropping necktie?" inquired Pedro.
 Talking to Heskalls wife? That's a bum poet named Nicholls."
 And so he rattled on, saying the names so familiar to himself. so sug- gestive of success. so otherwise mean. ingless to Pedro, who never looked twice at anything unless 1t were ex- ceptionally good. and consequently heard most of these names for the first time.
 By the way. what are you?" asked the man. abruptly breaking of his monologue.
 Painter" replied Pedro.
 I'm on the Sum-" said the man. Theodore Pell Is my name. Not here to do this party. though. All friends of mine here. Wouldn't be such rot ter, you know. Whats your name?"
 q am Pedro" said the other with such quiet assurance that the reporter made no comment. and searched his memory frantically. trying to place a well-known artist of that name. The boy spoke as if he said. T am Sar- gent" Who the devil could he be?
 There was a slight commotion at the lower doorway, and splendid old man entered.
 "Why, there is Rives De Rueh!" ex- claimed Fell. Didn't know he came here!"
 "Ah! the great one!" cried Pedro. 'I must speak to him."
 And without further apology he rushed of. leaving the still greatly puzzled reporter staring after him and repeating, Pedro. Pedro-one of the new Spaniards. l suppose"
 While still debating the matter. and drowning over it. he was joined by friend who was a writer and profes- sional model. This youth was named Blaume, and came nearer to resemb- ling the Greek gods than do the gen. eral run of young gentlemen now adays. He was rather conscious of this. and also prided himself on ac- Quaintance with. or knowledge of, most of the weil-known creative peo- pie of two continents. At his approach an idea occurred to Pell: He would make a test. Accordingly he sprang his mine almost immediately.
 Do you know that Pedro is here to- nightf" he asked. watching Blaume closely as he put the question.
 Blaume had never heard the name before. but judging from the others tone that the person referred to was one with whose accomplishments 1t ves proper to be familiar. he simu- lated knowledge.
 "You don't say sol" he exclaimed in- terestedly. Where is he?"
 Down there talking to De Bush." replied Pell. confirmed in the idea that he had hitherto overlooked a celebrity.
 That young fellow?" cried Blaume. "Why, I'd no idea he was such kid!"
 Nor l." replied Pell.
 Whereby Pedro became famous.
 At that particular moment he was extracting . promise from the great man to ctme and see his work. with a view to giving . regular criticism. The sheer audacity of the request was probably what obtained the desired consent Such . thing. in such way.