Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-09-19

You are fond of that bear?" asked
Hill
4 am" replied Pedro. He is my
good friend: he is the thing 1 love
most of all"
Tell me of your wanderfngs with
him." he asked.
And Pedro told him. The elder man
sat very still as he listened, his chair
tilted back against the brick wall, his
eyes narrowed to mere Sits of light
as he watched the young raconteur
through the blue haze of smoke. What
tales these were to which he listened;
how they stirred the wanderlust in
him
Then, too, the fascination of the an
cient and honorable profession of bear
dancing had taken hold on Hill. But
though he listened well, every little
while came the thought of his lost
love. and with it wave of depression
swept over him. With desperate eff
fort to pull away from it he asked
another question.
Where are your companions?"
Very near the public garden from
which we have just come" responded
Pedro. Down the little cobbly street
to where the air-railway turns; then
in little door, through court, to
an old house with wooden balconies.
They await me there"
How f1tting!" murmured Hill. How
1 should like to see themt Would
they receive me weI?"
without a doubt" said Pedro;
they recognize a friend at once, even
as a dog or a bear doesi"
I've mind to go back with you,"
said Hill jokingly. They must be
corkers. That Old Nita, now-what
does she look like?"
''She-why she looks-she looks like
Time himself" responded the boy.
See, 1 will show you"
Saying which, he brought out q
stump of a pencil and a small pad
from some recess of his old coat of
green.
This is Nita,' said he, turning over
several pages, and handing the open
is Beau-Jean, scolding Koko."
Hill took the proffered papers idly.
and suddenly sat very erect, examin-
ing them intently.
who drew these?" he inquired
after a moment
why, me, of course" said Pedro
For another little space Hill was
silent, turning over the sheets in his
hand There were perhaps twenty
sketches in the pad. From his scru-
tiny of them, he raised his eyes to
Pedro. Could the boy be telling the
truth? Had he actually drawn these
They were remarkable Surely
ho6
be famous, for work like this was not
ingly good. 1t was the work of born
craftsman But Pedro's face showed
no signs OF uneasiness. On the con-
trary, his eyes were alight as he ex-
planned who the people were.
DO you like my drawings" asked
Pedro, suddenly self-conscious, deep
flush spreading over his face and neck
Like themi" was all Hill replied,
but at the tone of his voice Pedro's
eyes sparkled.
Il love to draw people, and lots of
people together. and places. And l
love to draw Mr.. Jones"
who taught your asked Hill
Long ago, when Was small, some
one taught me every day said Pedro
Then have painted a little here and
a little there. But have yet so much,
so much to learn! That is why
came here to find a studio, that i
might really leannL"
Privately, Hill was convinced that
what Pedro needed was the opportu-
nifty. That was ALL It was remark
able. but true. Suddenly he leaned
across, the little table
81 suppose You love that bear tire
?'' he asked
Yes" said Pedro. instantly aware
of an impending development
More than your art9'
Pedro laughed. Then he sobered.
NO" he said, "of course not / sup
pose 1 would even give him up If need
be-and yet, he is ike my own
brother"
The boys eyes were bright with ex-
element. and the warm color had
crept into his face as he spoke.
Across the mouth of the man oppo-
site to him. was the stamp of new
born decision
Then give him pp!" cried Hill. Il
am a painter. Give him to me in ex-
change for my studio and all that is
IN it,"
CHAPTER ".
Two Meetings