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

you are mistaken. I do. l am In them
constantly. That / am not an artist
does not prove that am not a b.
hemian. and utterly accustomed to
freedom Of thought and action!"
Nov 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? I'm not ex-
actly a lady myself, but I 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; "and probably you'll say I, amt
fit to advise you. And so amt, but
do know something more about this
world than you do. That's pretty clear,
and want to slip you tip. It's this:
You carefully brought up girls think
it's great lark to come into tBohe-
MIA as you call it, and do crazy
things, as though you was In a 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. &,33.$
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 no
sense in being offish. 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 don't!" said Cassie,
rising as the door few back to admit
Pedro. 5aS.s'T
Madonna" he cried, throwing the
parcel that he carried upon the table
and going to Iris with outstretched
hands. Il 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 it upon
her shoulder. Il have 1t now, and you
will not be angry because I was abb
sent, eh?' 80 T. 2S
"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. t@ ~
1.-THE cakes were wonderful he e1-
claimed to the model. mot until a
moment ago did 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" 5y :, TX .7..-.5 p ?245s,
"She has been kind to me, also. I"
said Iris. +. ~ .m.-.e.
"Ah! she is your friend, Madonna!
That is good! / did not know. How
| ever, we will get to work now II you
are willing. Step upon the platform,
sol" '"E"$ :.
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 go 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" ts,,
a@"All right, I'd just aa soon,' : shesre-
marked nonchalantly. f.
The elder girl went silently to the
bookcase and 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 devoutly 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 AZ
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 1t was well ION
toward two when the first interruption
occurred. A timid knock sounded Fat
the door, as though some tiny child
were seeking admission, and then, be-
fore Cassie could respond to 1t, the
gigantic figure of Leigh slipped in
through an incredibly small crack, aud
looked about him. Iris smiled a greet
ing, but did not move. and Pedro did
not notice the intrusion: Leigh dropped
into a chair beside Cassie. !, ~ IA /,
"There" at last exclaimed Pedro,
throwing down his tools. Enough for
to-day" ,..;,.7ze -5::5 S
IT should think sol" cried Leigh.
You look exhausted. And you. too.
Miss Vanderpool. didn't know you
had met Pedro?"' he continued. help
ing her to descend from the model
throne. "You see, l have been away,
and am behind the times" --.. n A
"Oh! yes. we are friends" said Pc
dro, his face lighting up wonderfully
at sight of Leigh. welcome home!
Did you get the commission? Are
they delighted with the sketch? BUD
of course! dos! you are a sight to
gladden. the heart!" tGs
Pedro's cheeks were aflame, 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-
msnt 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
tho hour with an exclamation OF sur
i. Ill ia