Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-05-28

lSned look In his race Sne was Stretcn-
ed out comfortably. laziiy. in a great
chaise-lounge, her black little slippers
peeping out at him with perfect aban-
Comment.
Hello he said shortly. She gave
him her hand. Sorry I couldn't get
out last night" He shook her hand
rather ungraciously.
I'VE missed you" she said. Pull up
chair. I was never so lazy as now.
Dear me, ! am afraid I'll get stout and
gross"
Spring fever" he announced. He
was plainly out of sorts. I'll 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"
Cant go in?" he demanded, stop
ping before her. He began to pull at
his little moustache.
No. Hetty's posing. They won't
permit even me to disturb them"
He glared. With final almost drar
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
Il say" he began, scowling in the
direction of the doorway, how long Is
he going to be at this silly iob?"
Silly job? Why, it is TO be a mas
terpiece," she cried
Il asked you how long,"
"Oh, how can | tell? Weeks, per-
haps. One can't prod genius"
It's all tommy-rot," he growIed.
II 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 to
say. But do you mean to say they
won't let anybody In where Oh.
say! This is richi"
Spectators upset the muse. or
words to that effect"
He stared gloomily at his cigarette
case for a moment. Then he carefully
selected cigarette and tapped it on
the back Of his hand.
See here, Sara, I'm going to get
I'll DfF oh Il
'Tve been thinking it over all week.
don't like this portrait painting nom
sense"
Dear me! Didn't you suggest it,"
she inquired innocently. but all 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 fame that tortured
him, to fan it into fury, to make it un-
endurable. She knew him we'll: His
an attack upon it's complacency. Like
all the Wrandalls, he had the habit
of thinking too well of himself He
possessed a clearly-defined sense Of
humor. but it did not begin to include
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 stiffened.
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 way, yes.
suggested a 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
poser"
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 I done anything out OF
the way?"
You are very touchy, it seems to
me-"
I'm sore about this confounded por-
trait monopoly"
I'm sorry, Leslie. l suppose you
will have to give In, however. We are
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 keen
about her. / think about her. dream
about her, r oh, well. here it is In q
nutshell: I'm in love with her. Now
do you understand"
Il don't see how you could help be
ing In love with her." she said calmly
''Isbelieve 1t Is habit men have where