The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-22
The Euenine Story
Tl,ree I'm One.

| ssG LOSStSSt& 0IOI8
Three I'm One.
(By Dorothy Doughs)
It was at q private salon that Ever
ly saw the picture to which he lost his
heart. He had been drinking q cup
Of tea from the samover on the teak
wood table when his rowing eyes lit
upon the painting.
| The old samover, the table, in fact,
all the exqufsite bits Of furnishing In
the studio Immediately lost interest
for Everly.
He set his cup Of tea down and
went nearer to the big canvas.
'Whew!" he drew long breath Of
admiration. "I never saw SO much
beauty in all my hfe.' he commented
| inward1y.
Certainly the girl Of the canvas de-
served his most ardent regard. Her
eyes looked down at him like those
of deer, wide, and brown, and fumi-
nous; the soft mass OF hair re5embled
nothing so much as new-mown hay
on which the rays of a setting sun hn-
gered.
I, EVERY caught his breath as h1s eyes
! travelled down the ivory neck and
arms. Surely there was no dupli-
cate pair Of slim, warm hands with
their tapering tips and pink nails.
The canvas was called ''The Soul"
The impression conveyed was certain
ly spiritual, but because Everly was
not in any marked degree spiritual
! person he longed with q very human
/ longing to meet the girl in the flesh.
| Upon closer examination he learned
that the picture had won an academy
prize and that Dean Rowland had
painted it.
Had Everly been anything of a Bo-
hemian he would have been aware
that Dean Rowland was even then in
the studio-an artist beloved Of all
Bohemia.
He went with characteristic direct
ness to his hostess.
II want very much to know who
posed for that picture?" he said in
dieting the well-hung canvas.
His hostess, little sculptor Of no
mean repute. laughed
IAN of my masculine visitors have
the same DESIRE" she told him, 'and
always pass them over to the artist,
Dean Rowland. Come" she said. pi-
lotfng him through the throng Of tea
drinkers. 'T will introduce you"
Everly found himself shaking hands
with a mouse-hke. dainty woman,
whose charm radiated her entire VI
cinity. She seemed to be all drab col
ored at first glance. Later. he discov-
cred the fact that her eyes were deep.
and her hair had peculiar little bronze
glints in 1t. AN of these colors ap-
peared as If they had been hiding.
II know just what you are going to
ASK" she told Everly with a rare
smile. You want to meet my model
for The Soul. Is it not SOL?
Everly laughed with wholesome
candor.
II surely do" he admitted.
Dean Rowland's eyes held q pecu-
liar smile. There seemed to be some
thing of mockery in them. yet Everly
could not credit the famous artist
with deliberate intent to ridicule.
IF you are FREQ one evening this
week. think I can arrange q meet
ing" she told him. "But," she added
quickly, you are not to be disap-
pointed. Promise me that you will
meet disappointment bravely-should
the occasion arise" There was
laughter on her lips and Everly spoke
as lightly as he could for a sudden
sense Of gravity had overtaken him.
II will overlook all flaws" he told
her. s'It is as much the girls soul
that has called me az it il her beauty"
he added In a manner half timorous
because of the oddity Of his sensa-
tions.
A half sigh escaped Dean Rowland's
lips.
IT struggled desperately with the
soul in that picture. am glad you
feel its influence She turned to
greet q newcomer. Refore she went
to mingle again with the artists and
writer's lingering fmpatiently beside
her. she made her engagement with
Everly for the following evening at
her studio.
He spent q weary day waiting for
the hour Of 6. He had been invited
for dinner that he might have q long
evening with the object Of his
thoughts.
The studio was lighted softly.
Beauty and comfort lurked in every
corner of the artists home. Everly
fell to wondering why Bohemians
derful sense Of emotion. The emo
tions seemed ever to rest in complete
satisfaction in the home of the arts.
He looked up to ~rasp the warm.
slender fingers OF his hostess There
was an Elusive fragrance about her
that took Everly into far or India.
He discovered later that the seen. was
jasmine.
He had scarcely greeted her when
three very charming women entered
from the adjoining room.
Everly was introduced to each in
turn and an indef1nable likeness to
some one struck him in each one of
them.
Other guests arrived and always he
was on the alert for the appearance Of
the girl of the portrait. Unconscious
ly his eyes had focused themselves on
the head OF one of the three hand
some women whom he had met The
hair was tawny. like new mown hay.
Everly's pulse quickened. Surely that
was the hair of the portrait He |
looked into her eyes They were
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