The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-11-20

light up. Then, to make up for the
few moments lost in this operation, he
| dived down the little short cut called
Paradise place. 1t was very dark in
| the little fragment Of a street, and
halfway down it's narrow span he
| bumped into two men who were in
| the act of parting from each other
| with -iow-voiced adieux. The taller OF
| these two muttered an apology almost
in the same breath with Leigh's, and
| was hurrying away, when the sculp-
tor, catching sight. of the face under
the peak of the cheap and shabby hat,
called his name.
'Vanderpool!"
The millionaire heard, for he made
an irresolute little movement as II
to return, but, changing his mind. only
pulled his hat over his eyes. and
walked off rapidly. For a moment
Leigh almost doubted the veracity Of
his recognition. Reginald Vanderpool
in what amounted to disguise! Such
| a circumstance seemed far from likely!
And yet he could not be wrong, for
distinctly seen the black ribbon and
| dangling monocle which we're charac-
teristic Of Iris father. Deuce take the
man, it was very odd for him to rush
off in that manner without speaking!
But, for the matter of that, Vanderpool
had always been something of mys-
terry to his acquaintances!
With a shrug, Leigh resumed his
walk, only to have it borne in upon
him after a few moments, that the
second of the two men whom he had
interrupted was preceding him. Even
when he turned into Muldoon place
there he was again, crossing the little
paved court twenty-five feet in advance,
and entering at the basement door!
well, II that isn't the darnedest
thing!" said Leigh as he mounted the
stairs, puzzled, but thereafter thinking
Of 1t no more.
He found Pedro engaged upon a
pencil drawing of very pretty girl
in the act of washing herself with the
aid of cake of soap which she held
in prominent manner. Leigh started
slightly, as he looked at 1t, but all he
said was:
Still working?"
NO" responded Pedro, II stopped
when the light gave out"
He waved his hand toward the
smaller easel where stood a canvas,
upon which picture-a street scene
had been blocked in. Leigh crossed to
look at 1t, and although the. artificial
light made any real judgment of what
he saw difficult, he bent before 1t in
terestedly, though still without COM
ment.
so you have stopped working" said
eh. What do you call the thing you
are doing?" F."
"This Is not my work." explained
Pedro, arising, and laying down the
drawing board. This is just to live.
have seen many pictures in adver-
| tisements like this, often less good,
and perhaps can sell it. Then ! need
not use the money of Mr.. Hill. A
good idea, eh?"
Eyes," assented Leigh, still without
any change Of expression. well, come
| out and play around with me. l never
see anyone much, except Hill, and as
he has deserted the camp you will
have to fill his place, since you have
| undertaken to fill his studio and my
| time"
"All right" said Pedro.
Together they went out. Pedro was
good company, and Leigh responded to
him readily. Between these two had
| already sprung up an intimacy that
was accepted by both without sur
prise. 1t seemed so natural to them
to be together. the language that they
spoke was identical. and both were so
simple In their attitude toward life,
and toward each other, that they
spoke and acted with the feeling OF old
comrades from the first.
Who was this young man, anyhow?
Leigh to sleep that night and persist
emily confronted him on his awaken
ing next morning.
Why was the boy SO reticent about
his origin, his people, his nationality
even. Sometimes one would swear Pc
dro to be Spaniard; yet he spoke
Italian fluently, and French, too. Yet,
when he became earnest and wished
to press point, good English seemed
to come to him with amazing readi-
ness. And the quality of the boys
work. II was astounding! This lat
ter thought stimulated action.
Slowly Abraham Lincoln Leigh arose
from his untidy bed, and in the early
light of the wintry morning, strobe
into his workshop. Hallway across
the floor he stopped, adding his un-
calmly figure to the motionless throng
which stood about. For several min
utes he stood stock-still, and then, with
rapid, skilful fingers began to curve
back the hind quarters of the tiger In
the little plasterline sketch.
CHAPTER VI.
| The People Downstairs.