The Cairo bulletin., 1914-04-05


Dear me. ! am afraid I'll get stout and
gross"
Spring fever" he announced. He
was plainly out OF sorts. IN stand. II
you don't mind. Beastly tiresome, sit
ting in hot. stuffy train"
He took 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 can't go in for half an hour or
more"
Can't go I'M" he demanded, stop
ping before her. He began to pull at
his little moustache.
mo. Hetty's posing. They won't
permit even me to disturb them"
lie glared. With final. almos, dra.
matte twist he gave over jerking at
his moustache. and grabbed up chair,
which he put down beside her with a
vehemance that spoke palmer than
words
L say" he began. scowling In the
direction of the doorway. how long Is
he going to be at this silly job?"
silly Job? Why. it Is TO be n mas
terpiece." she cried
Il asked YOU how long,"
"oh. how can I tell? Weeks, per.
haps. One can't prod genius"
It's all tommy,rot," he growled.
Il suppose I'd better take the next
train back to town"
Don't you like talking with me?"
she inquired. with a pout.
"Of course do" he made haste 20
say. But do you mean to say they
won't let anybody In where Oh, |
say! This is rich,"
Spectators upset the muse, or
words to that effect"
He stared gloomily at his cigarette
case for moment. Then he carefully
selected cigarette and tapped 1t on
the back Of his hand.
See here, Sara, I'm going to get
this of my chest" he said bluntiy
i've been thinking it over all week
| don't like this portrait painting non.
sense"
Dear me! Didn't you suggest ite"
she inquired innocently, but Mi the
time her heart was beating violent
time to the song Of triumph.
He was jealous. 1t 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 II into fury. to make 1t TN
endurable. She knew him well: lila
supreme egoism could not Withstand
an attack upon it's complacency. Like
all the Wrandalls. he had the habit
Of thinking too well of himself. He
possessed a clearly.defned sense OF
humor. but 1t did not begin to lnclut o
self-sacrifice among its 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 stifened.
Don't smoker, Sara" he growled.
He took time to light his cigarette. and
at the same time to consider his an.
swer to her question. In a way, yes.
] suggested 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. I'm fact. she Is enjoying it. She
and Mr.. 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, | sup
pose?"
"My dear Leslie, he is to do 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 What's up,
Sara? Have | done anything out OF
the way?"
you are very touchy, 1t seems to
me-"
I'm sore about this confounded por
trait monopoly"
I'm sorry. Leslie. ! suppose you
will have TO give in. however. We ere
three to one against you-Hetty. Mr.
Booth and l."
Il see." he said. rather blankly
Then he drew his chair closer See
here. Sara, you know I'm terribly keer
about her think about her, dream
about her, / oh, well, here 1t Is In Q
nutshell: I'm in love with her. Now
do you understand"
81 don't see how you could help be
ing in love with her" she said calmly
II believe 1t Is habit men have where
she Is concerned
You're not surprised" he cried
himself surprised
Not In the least"
81 mean to ask her to marry me,
he announced with flnality. This wat
intended to bowl her over completely
She looked at him for an instant
and then shook her head I'd like tc
be able to wish YOU good luck"
He stared You don't mean to sal
she'd be fool enough he began in
credulously, but caught himself up il
time "Of cnurse I'd have TO Ike my