The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1914-11-26
A CLEAN GOOD DEED
BY MARTHA MCCULLOUGH Will,
LIAMS.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Such a botch! And to think I've
got to wear it! Else stay at home,
Jess mourned, looking at herself In
the spotty mirror.
II aggravated to a degree the wry-
ness and general mistit OF the pink
mousseline she had on, but she knew
its vagaries Of reflection well enough
to discount them, so understood fairly
the result Of inexperience and pat
terms.
III there have to be poor folks"
che ran on, Il don't see why they
aren't made all humpbacked or one
eyed, or with crooked noses and pump
kin compilations! Then they wouldn't
care what they wore-a gunnysack
with holes would do them as we'll as
court dress. I-I-love clothes.
could wear them, too, II only l had
them. And hoped so much-oh, It's
too-too-bad," breaking down there
and dropping her face In her hands.
Tears forced themselves between
her slim, tanned fingers. At sight or
them Lu, her sharp young sister, said
acidly: 1T does look bad enough-but
cry spots all down the front won't help
1t. Shut up! Maybe folks will be so
busy lookin' at your face your frock
/ won't matter"
81 am not going-at least, / think
not" Jess said. with a long. quivering
sigh.
Lu stamped foot. You are goin',"
she said, imperatively. This is the
last chance I'll have to wear your
graduatin' dress-the only decent
thing in the family. In another month
it'll be clean outgrown, unless take
to starvin' myself-which | won't, not
even 20 wear clothes"
With that she ran away-out OF the
house, across the back lot. and on to
the far hillside, where she knew Bent
ly was sketching. He came from the
city-she had made friends with him
vagrantly-had given him buttermilk
from the spring house She was sure
Of his help even before he nodded en-
phatically at the end of her story, over
which he laughed heartily as 1t went
| on.
1'll be there-without fail" he said,
nodding. Great scheme! Young per-
son, 1t strikes me you're wasted on
this slow country. When Jess and
Timber-toes make a match Of it"
What makes you call Johnny Ed
! Il
wooden legs!" Lu broke in eagerly.
Bently nodded third time, saying.
"Sure he hasn't; but you see his ped
estal Is wooden-the lumber mills
that make so much money every day
they have to sit up all night count
ing it."
"And-he isn't going to marry Jess,
I'm afraid not" Lu confessed hon.
estly. "You see, Milly Kicks has been
off to boarding school-and they give
her everything"
Fate gave Jess more" Bently said,
with a little half sigh. BE easy, fell
low conspirator. We are going to pull
all the kinks fashion and style may
knot up, out of this true loves course"
Which was esoteric-to say the
even forgot satisfaction in her own
superlative appearance In her concern
for Jess.
At the party the contrast between
poor, pretty Jess and Milly, who had
everything, was made more than ever
| h,,t ID
seriousness Of it as they entered the
parlor together. Milly was In white
vaporous and clinging, with roses
round the low neck and a duck Of a
girdle, caught with bigger roses. 1t
was so palpable folks nudged meaning
guished-looking man, who had rather
held aloof, came suddenly forward.
caught both Jess hands and said in q
well-bred, carrying voice: my dear
Miss Wilton, you are as wicked as
you are beautiful. Are you willing
to do penance for giving me so great
q shock?"
"How" Jess asked, bewildered. La,
at her elbow, was almost dancing with
excitement.
Bently sighed deeply, saying. II
came here for the simple life-to es-
cape Paris-and all its works. Now
you shatter my paradise in a week. I
shall see your imitators on every hand.
So the penance shall set you is-to
sit to me for your portrait--just as
you are. Not a fold to be changed.
Think what an exhibition picture it
will make! I'll call it the 'Futurist.'
Just what you are. / didn't dream
those advance styles had been sent
over-but since you have got one at
least"
He stopped there as though sud-
denly conscious how folks were hang
ing upon his words. Jess was too be-
wildered to do more than murmur
assent. The crowd was awe stricken
by Bently's verdict and wondering
how on earth Jess Wilton had man
aged SO to outdoeand outshine all the
rest.
When Bently and Lu were outside
on the little side porch he looked
down at her glowing face. You are
| the most enviahle persop haron ba