The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-13

| constantly. 1nat L am not an dftiSt
| does not prove that l am not a Bo-
hemian, and utterly accustomed to
| freedom of thought and action!"
| Now listen to me, and don't cry
said Cassie. There's nothing to weep
over. What I'm going to tell you is
the straight goods, see? Pm not ex'
actly a lady myself, but l know the
real thing when see it, and this time
it's you, with no mistake!"
! They seated themselves before the
| fire now, side by side, Iris submitting
meekly to being placed as Cassie indi-
Gated.
| Now, I'm not a SWELL" began Cas-
sic; land probably you'll say l amt
fit to advise you. And so l amt, but
do know something more about this
world than you do. That's pretty clear
and l want to slip you tip. It's this:
You carefully brought up girls think
| it's great lark to come into 'Bohe'
mia.' as you call it, and do crazy
things, as though you was in foreign
country where you didn't expect to be
seen. It's that queer notion, that what
people are told not to do, is fun to do
| that's brought you here. You came
! alone because it made you feel like a
real devil to do so.
And there's another thing" said
Cassie. "They are all alike In one
thing, the men are. The harder a
thing is to get, the worse they want
it. Oh, don't mistake! There's nc
sense in being of1sh. But there's NO
use running after them, believe me!
| You'll only scare 'em to death!"
But I'm not" began Iris, painfully
conscious Of having come alone for
the express purpose Of giving Pedro
the greater opportunity for sentiment
Then mind you dont!" said Cassie,
rising as the door flew back to admit
Pedro.
Madonna" he cried, throwing the
parcel that he carried upon the table
and going to Iris with outstretched
hands. 'T entreat your forgiveness, but
there was no paint with which to make
the divine blue-see, like this!" He
swooped down upon a length Of silk
which lay near by and flung 1t upon
her shoulder. 81 have it now, and you
will not be angry because ! was abb
sent, eh?'
"Oh, no. she answered, beaming
at the sound of his voice.
He next turned to Cassie, the sight
of whom did not disconcert him in the
least, fact which Iris noted with re-
lief.
"The cakes were wonderful" he ex.
| claimed to the model. mot until a
moment ago did I realize that you
must have made them yourself. l
thank you!" He kissed her hand.
you know this lady, Miss Wander
pool?" he asked. taking her to Iris.
This is friend who has been SO
| good to mel"
"She has been kind to me, also.
said Iris.
"Ah! she is your friend, Madonna
That is good! did not know. How
ever, we will get to work now if you
are willing. Step upon the platform,
SOL"
Cassie. having gathered UP the re-
mains of the little cakes to which Pc.
dro had evidently referred, was about
to take reluctant departure, when
Iris, turning around under Pedro s
guidance, stopped her with gesture.
Don't 60 away she said shyly,
moved by an impulse she could not
have defined. "If you are not too
busy, won't you sit In here?> You will
give me confidence"
"All right, I'd just as soon," she re-
marked nonchalantly.
The elder girl went silently to the
bookcase aud stood covertly watching
the painter, who already seemed to
have forgotten the women.
| Before many minutes had passed
Iris herself became aware Of Pedro's
detachment, and knew that she need
ed no guardian to protect her from
this distracted spirit, who, with ear
nest brow, labored SO deyoutly at the
rudiments of his work; knew, also,
that the smaller conventions of life
| had no existence in his mind, and that
| he had noted her request to Cassie as
| little as he had noted the fact of her
originally having come alone.
The morning wore on very quietly,
| and in the rests little was said.
One o'clock came and went, and still
| they needed not, and it was well on
toward two when the first interruption
| occurred A timid knock sounded at
the door, as though some tiny child
! were seeking admission. and then, be.
| fore Cassie could respond to it. the
| gigantic figure of Leigh slipped in
through an incredibly small crack, and
| looked about him. Iris smiled greet
| ing, but did not move, and Pedro did
not notice the intrusion. Leigh dropped
into a chair beside Cassie.
| throwing down his tools. Enough for
today"
| Il should think sol" cried Leigh.
"You look exhausted. And you, too,
\ Miss Vanderpooi. | didn't know you
| had met Pedro?" he continued, help
ing her to descend from the model
throne You see, have been away,
and am behind the times
oh! yes, we are friends said Pc
dro, hts face lighting up wonderfully
| at sight of Leigh. Welcome home!
Did you get the commission? Are
they delighted with the sketch? But,
of course! Dios! you are a sight to
| gladden. the heart!"
Pedro's cheeks were afiame, and his
eyes shone with excitement. Iris noted
this with wonder, and thought that
truly his friendship for Leigh must be
great. since the mere sight of the
sculptor aroused In him an enthusiasm
so far beyond any which he displayed
for others. And. indeed, at this mo-
ment Pedro appeared to see no one
but the tall, gaunt man, whose hands
| he held To break the little tableau
Iris looked at her watch, and noted
the hour with an exclamation of sur
prise. Then she began slipping into
her outdoor garments.
| 'T must f1yi'' she cria6 'tTVhep sha II