Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-12-23
CHAPTER X.
Concerning Bohemia

On the following morning, at nine
o'clock promptly, Iris reached the top
landing of the Muldoon place house
and paused, flushed and rather breath
less, before the studio door. On it.,
below the heavy brass knocker and the
plate engraved with Hills name was
a modest ticket bearing simply the
word Pedro" Tucked under q corner
of this last was folded bit Of paper
addressed to Madonna Iris" At sight
of it her heart almost stopped beating.
Could he have gone away? Did he not
wish to see her? With trembling I'm
gers she unfastened it, opening it to
her anxious gaze. ..~ + y H.. :
AT the top of the page was q sketch
of Pedro himself. empty handed, and
running frantically to the open door
Of shop which bore the sign:
Artists Supplies" Thon came the
words: 1.-THE door. is unlocked. Wait,
I beseech you. l haste ! II fy!" Below
this was second sketch Of himself
running madly, package in hand. to.
ward a door marked studio -
From sheer relief she laughed aloud,
and at the sound a door upon the land.
ing below creaked as though some one
had opened it to listen. However, Miss
Vanderpool did not notice this, but,
turning the handle, let herself into the
studio where she had often been be.
fore, to be sure. but never until now
unchaperoned. H.. y, =
Closing the door behind her, she
stood motionless, leaning against 1t,
Pedro's funny little note crushed
tightly in one hand, while she let q
food Of mixed emotions sweep over
her. Pedro, the adorable! ~ v
Slowly she advanced to the center
of the floor and smoothed out the
crumpled note. How clever he was!
With a tender little sigh she folded
1t. carefully and slipped it into the
bosom OF her gown. Then flushing q
little, she removed her long outer
wrap and laid it, with her hat and
furs, upon the couch. %.,s
There was footstep upon the land
ing, and the door opened suddenly
Expecting to see Pedro, she whirlee
about with a word of greeting, but tt
her amazement, in his stead the door
way was occupied by a woman! e
It was Cassie. sEts.5 ar ~
For long moment neither woman
spoke, but stood staring intently. one
as much amazed as the other.
Good morning." said Iris interrog
atively, the question following swift
on the heels OF the first pang Of jeal
ousy she had ever experienced.
/ What woman was this who entered
his apartment as though by right? =
Cassie's smile was disarming. : =
Pretty, and a lady-a rich lady,
she said. "Why, you must be her!
Well, I'm glad to see you!"
"Who are you, please?" repeated
Iris, smiling little in response, de-
spite herself.
"Of course you'd have-.to ask" re.
piled Cassie. HE wouldn't be likely
to have mentioned me to you, Nc
more has he told me anything about
you; not knowingly. that is. But just
the same, Iyesnol need to return your
question" ~. .ssas ' ,@..-. = sy5g45s< !.
e GU are correct in supposing he has
not spoken of you" said Iris, puzzled
but with cold fear creeping over her.
'"Why should he have done SO? II
have not known him very long, and we
have only talked about What IL
your name? Z" ~ 9ss4 q K +. .%5g
I. my name is Miss Goodell," replied
the girl, still smiling, her eyes full Of
curiosity. "a = IN Il i;.ry,55 E
And who-how do you know me7''
asked Iris. g ~. ~. al
II pose for him." she said. "and
amt generally considered to be lack
ing in charm. Well, the charm failed