The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-11-27
CHAPTER XII.
A Compromise.

Pedro's studio for her second pose was
not that which had been appointed
but one nearly a week later. During
the intervening period the young
painter had remained locked in the
studio as long as daylight lasted
emerging only at night, in company
with Leigh.
Pedro had given her no explanation
for putting her off, simply sending
word that he could not have her al
present, but would get some work
done on the background of the por
trait.
Iris had telephoned several futile in
vitations, and at last, catching Pedro
on the wire, had arranged for a sit
ting. At the hour appointed, she
mounted the stairs slowly, with fast
beating heart, starting and trembling
at every sound within the ancient
building.
She reached the door unchallenged
and raped upon it.
Lady! Most gracious Madonna!"
he cried in greeting. See, here is the
blue robe-Quick, quick! / am all i'm.
patience to begin. Do you know the
good tidings? OF the ridiculously au.
dacious thing / am going to do? Ex.
hibit my pictures! Yes, me. Pedro!
Ha! ha! am not unknown, 1t seems!
Read the newspapers. am Pedro, the
great Spanish artist! do not know
houy to poipt h,f q roo<forS not. +box,
will say an impressionist-Mat
outdone!' All! ha! your portrait will
be the chief gem of the display. In
two weeks comes the exhibition, SO ]
must finish it soon, soon!"
During the first part Of the pose, he,
contrary to his usual habit, talked rap.
idly.
"It will be a lovely exhibition" said
he, there will be Leigh's stuff--beau.
tiful marbles, rich in form, and with
such textures and high lights. You
know! And the virginia. white bas-re.
liefs-the joyous one of the ladies
dancing. And around the walls, be.
tween these things will hang many
gorgeous paintings by that great Span.
ish painter-myself"
Iris could not but laugh with him.
"And of all these fine pictures" he
continued, "the most lovely will be a
Madonna with hair that Is red-goId
like joy!"
Then there was silence and he
worked fiercely, cruelty. for, as usual
he forgot the rests. and it grew late
before either spoke.
At last, exhausted by the long pose
by his Indifference, by her own emo
tions, she could bear 1t no longer, but
holding out her arms toward him, she
swayed slightly, and said his name in
broken voice.
"Pedro!"
Then he saw how white and drawn
her face had become, and with a little
cry he dropped his palette and sprane
to her side.
"Madonna!" he said, forgive me!
Come down! So! Let me help you
Lie here upon this couch. Oh, 1 am
cruel and thoughtless!"
Whimpering little, she clung to his
arm, burying her face in the crotch Of
his elbow, fondling his hand.
Pedro, Pedro, 1 am so tired!" she
said over and over again.
'1 know! A little sherry!" he ex
claimed. "a bite Of luncheon! Yor
will see now what splendid house
wife l can really be, at need. We will
have charming meal directly"
He poured wine into an antique
Venetian glass, and brought it to her
clasping both her hands about the
fragile thing as one would clasp G
child's unframed fingers around {
precious toy.
Drink" he commanded, "and Lie
quite still with your lovely heaG
among the caressing pillows. You are
an eastern queen now, and l youl
humble serving slave. See! Like
magic the feast shall appear!"
Then he drew up little round table
before the hearth, stirred the dying
embers with fresh wood. threw al
Arabian cloth over the table and pro
ceeded to lay the feast.
She sat up and allowed him to feet
her. The solitary fork gave then
much cause for mirth, for she insisted
that they share it, and before the mea
was finished they were playing like
children.
Pedro's moods were generally IRE
sistible, and he was determined tha
she forget and forgive his tnoughtless
ness. As he sat opposite seeing hel