The Forrest City times., 1914-05-08
CO OoNRlGHZ- /2L2 5y GEOTG

drove up. There was a sulien. diSsat- isAed look in his face. She was stretch ed out comfortably, lazily, in great chaise-lounge, her black little slippers peeping out at him with perfect aban- donment.
 Hello" he said shortly. She gave him her hand. Sorry I couldn't get out last night" He shook her hand rather ungraciously
 We missed you" she said. Pull up chair. l was never so lazy as now Dear me, am afraid I'll get stout and gross"
 Spring fever" he announced. He was plainly out of sorts I'll stand, if you don't mind. Beastly tiresome, sit ting In hot stuffy train"
 He took a couple of turns across the porch, his eyes shifting in the eager, annoyed manner of one who seeks for something that, in the correct order of things, ought to be plainly visible.
 Please sit down, Leslie. You make me nervous, tramping about like that. We cant go in for half an hour or more"
 Cant go in?" he demanded, stop ping before her. He began to pull at his little moustache.
 No. Hettys posing. They won't permit even me to disturb them"
 He glared. With a final. almost dra- matic twist he gave over jerking at his moustache, and grabbed up chair, which he put down beside her with vehemance that spoke plainer than words
 I say he began, scowlng in the direction of the doorway, how long is he going to be at this silly job?"
 Silly job? Why, it is to be a mas terpiece," she cried
 T asked you how long?"
 Oh, how can I tell? Weeks per haps. One cant prod a genius
 It's all tommy-rot he growled "I suppose I'd better take the next train back to town"
 Don't you like talking with me?" she inquired, with pout.
 of course l do,'' he made haste to say. But do you mean to say they won't let anybody in where Oh, I say! This is rich!"
 Spectators upset the muse, or words to that effect
 He stared gloomily at his cigarette case for a moment. Then he carefully selected a cigarette and tapped it on the back of his hand.
 See here, Sara, I'm going to get this off my chest" he said bluntly. I've been thinking 1t over all week. I don't like this portrait painting non- sense"
 Dear me! Didn't you suggest it?" she inquired innocently, but all the time her heart was beating violent time to the song of triumph
 He was jealous. It was what she wanted. what she had hoped for all along. Her purpose now was to en- courage the ugly flame that tortured him. to fan 1t into fury, to make it un- endurable. She knew him well: His supreme egoism could not withstand an attack upon its complacency. Like all the Wrandalls. he had the habit of thinking too we'll of himself. He possessed clearly-detlned sense of humor, but it did not begin to include selfsacrifice among it's endowments He had never been able to laugh at himself for the excellent reason that some things were truly sacred to him.
 She realized this, and promptly laughed at him. He stiffened.
 Don't snicker, Sara" he growled He took time to light his cigarette. and at the same time to consider his an swer to her question. Tn way, yes. l suggested a tort of portrait, of course A sketchy thing, something like that, you know. But not an all summer operation"
 But she doesn't mind" explained Sara "In fact, she is enjoying it. She and Mir Booth get on famously to- gether."
 She likes him, eh?'
 Certainly Why shouldn't she like him? He Is adorable"
 He threw his cigarette over the rail ing, Comes here every day, l sup pose?"
 MY deaT LeSIle, ne IS 10 QO me as soon as he has finished with her. don't like your manner"
 Oh" he said in dull sort of won der. No one had ever cut him short in just that way before. Whats up, Sara? Have l done anything out of the way"
 You are very touchy, 1t seems to me"
 I'm sore about this confounded DOT trait monopoly"
 I'm sorry, Leslie. l suppose you will have to give in, however We are three to one against you-Hetty, MT. Booth and l."
 T see,' he said. rather blankly. Then he drew his chair closer See here, Sara, you know I'm terribly keen about her think about her dream about her, T. oh, well. here it is in a nutshell I'm in love with her. Now do you understand"
 T don't see how you could help be- ing in love with her" she said calmly. 'I believe 1t Is habit men have where she is concerned