The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-27

The little paIace OF a studio into WhlcA
Miss Warner ushered Ranald and in
troduced him TO her chaperone, her
aunt, formed marked contrast 10 the
bleak den he had just left. The fasct
ration Of the soulful girl artist, how
ever. made him obliging, even ardent
in awarding the assistance she res.
quired. Upon a stand stood her model
a server loaf of bread. part OF .
cake, some flowers, composite for
a test piece as to coloring.
"i can't get the shade on that bread
any more than could | bake it,
laughed Ethel merrily. and then when
Ranald had shown her how to produce
the effect desired, she looked up into
his eyes with gratitude that thrilled
him 4
The influence of that lovely face re-l
mained with him as he sat IN his
studio later thinking Of the brightness
his life knew little of. Then from theI
alcove, weak and Querulous-
"Ranald. cid man, I'm hungry. I'M
so hungry ] can't sleep"
The worGs vent through the mighty
heart of the artist like knife. He
glanced from the street window at the
brilliantly lighted shops. Money hel
had none, credit was exhausted. Then
he give a great start A susgestonl
had come 10 his mind.
Doing on a divan in her situng-
room of her studio, Ethel saw the
door opened. "Burglars! was her
first thought, and then she recognised
Ranald. She watched him in amaze
ment steal across the room, seize the
loaf OF bread near her easel and diS
appear.
"Why!" she gasped. arising to her
feet. what does it mean?"
Ranald watched his sick friend at
tempt to assuage the pangs Of hunger
with the dry bread.
Drop it," he ordered. his yoice .
sob. "I'll soon have the delicacies yuu
need"
He darted one poignant glance at
his picture as he dashed from tho
room. A girlish form passed into 1t
from the lurking shadows. Then at
the side Of the invalid she learned all
of the truth.
Il will take 1t, yes" fell in sharp
nasal tones on the ears of two listen
ers as Ranald led Levi into his studio.
Fifty tollars."
II will give a hundred!" cried Ethel
appearing from the alcove.
The pawnbroker stared at her In be-
wilderment The artist fell weakly to
chair.
rs dis an auction?' insinuated Levi
IF you like replied Ethel, her
cheeks crimson with excitement her
pulses tluttering.
"Then-a hundert and Won tollars."
1.-TWO hundred" announced Ethel
doughtilv.
81 lot my daughter" observed Levi
Struggling his shoulders. "but-two,
hundert tollars!" and he was gone.
Ethel drew out her purse. Her trem-
bling fingers took from 1t what money
1t held.
Il will pay the balance just as soonl
rs the bank is open in the morning.
she said.
But cannot-you must not"-falI
tered Ranald incoherently. /
She faced him. trembling in every
nerve. She faced him, her eyes looln
ing deep down into his soul. Shel
faced him, girl inspired with mem
ory of what Adrian Nash had told oil
the noblest being she had ever known
DO you know what think of youfst
she cried, the tears streaming down
her checks, "Oh. you grand hero!"
Ard Ethel threw her arms aroundl
his heck and kissed him on the itps.1
There was only satisfaction ex-
pres ed six months later when that
rich young art novice" Miss Ethel
Warner, married Ranald Stone.
For her husband was a man of gen.
ius and fame. and "'rhe Meadow" had
Ia ~.