Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-09-26


| dived down the little short cut called
the little fragment Of a street, and
halfway down its 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 Leighs, 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 il
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 a disguised Such
a circumstance seemed far from likelyi
And yet he could not be wrong, for
in the folds of the mans coat he had
distinctly seen the black ribbon and
dangling monocle which were 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, VanderpooI
had always been something of a 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 doori
We'll, if that isn't the darnedest
thing!" said Leigh as he mounted the
stairs, puzzled, but thereafter thinking
of it no more.
He found Pedro engaged upon a
pencil drawing of a very pretty girl
in the act of washing herself with the
aid of a cake of soap which she held
! in prominent manner. Leigh started
slightly, as he looked at it, but all he
said was:
Still working?''
NO." responded Pedro, 81 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 It, 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?"
This is not my work." explained
Pedro, arising, and laying down the
| drawing-board. This is Just to live.
1 have seen many pictures in adver-
tisements like this, often less good,
and perhaps can sell it. Then 1 need
not use the money of Mr.. Hill. A
| good idea. eh?''
YES" assented Leigh, still without
1 any change of expression. We'll, come
out and play around with me. 1 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 IL SSSuSQ So NATURAL 10 IQ6u
to be together. the language that they
spoke was identical. and both were sc
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
| The question was one that lulled
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 a Spaniard: yet he spoke
Italian fuently, 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, 1t was astoundingi 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. Halfway across
the floor he stopped. adding his un
i calmly figure to the motionless throns
which stood about For several min
utes he stood stock-still. and then, with
rapid, skilful fingers began to curve
the little plasterline sketch
CHAPTER vi.