The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-05-28
CONSOLATION PRIZE
sy KATHERINE HOPSON.


sprained ankle debars him from the
skating party, am invited to remain
as the consolation prize. Otherwise
| should hardly have chance tc
speak to the noted lion Gail Bent
leys tone was bitter as she voiced hel
thoughts aloud before her dreAsine
table.
Bitterness was not usually quail
ity Of her nature, but she was still
smarting from her sister Edith's laugh
ing remark.
Mr.. ReynCld is safe with you" she
had said. Il wouldn't trust him to an
afternoons tete.a-tete with any one
else"
Yes, he's safe enough. Any girls
admirer would be- Gail studied her
rejection grimly. In spite OF her dis
paragement it was really pretty
face that looked back in the mirror
sensitive and high bred. with delicate
features ard big serious eyes. That
was the trouble, the whole face was
too serious-it was devoid Of girlish-
ness and vivacity.
The queer part of it is, Gail really
looks like Edith" people were wont to
declare, but she is so sober and her
sister is all sparkle and charm" 1t
was this which mad attracted Bertram
Reynold, a noted portrait painter, who
was guest OF honor at Mrs. Gre
der's house party. From the trst
he had paid marked attention to her
beautiful niece, Edith, and had asked
permission to paint her as the cen
trail figure in a new picture he was
working on He had made several
sketches Of her in different poses and
all was going successfully until two
days ago, when Reynold met with an
accident, while hunting, and sprained
his ankle, thus being debarred from
the skating party, which was to be
the GROWING event of the week.
Such a pity, too" Gail heard her
Aunt Myra remark to Mrs. Kelley as
they entered the formers little sitting
room across the hall. Just when
things we're getting interesting Edith
is such a picture in her skating cos
tune and new mink furs; and skins
over the ice like bird OF course she
must go-shes the life Of the party.
SO I've asked Gail to stay and help me
entertain Mr.. Reynoid this afternoon.
She will not hinder Edith's chances"
Tears rose III Calls eyes. Is that
what every one thinks of me-merely
u foil ter Edith?"
It's true she is a picture" Gail ad-
mitted later as the skating party
started off in the big sleigh. Edith's
piquant face was aglOW under the
scarlet Tam. The fur scarf was
thrown carelessly about her shout
ders revealing a glimpse of her snowy
neck.
Ihis brought to Gail a pang of real
ilation Of how her own sensitive
throat always kept her from doing
those graceful, careless things like
other people. Il always have to bun
die up like an ola womani"
AS the sleigh disappeared from view,
window to enter the library. Mr., Rey-
mold was comfortably enscOnced in a
big Morris chair, with Aunt Myra sit
ting near, Crocheting and chatting
pleasantly. Gall was glad she was
there. and entered the room feeling a
little less shy and constrained
How shall | entertain him all the
afternoons she wondered; but soon
found there was no occasion to worry
about that, for Mr.. Reynold did the en-
tertaining He was telling about his
student days in New York and Paris.
Gail found herself listening as to a
fascinating romance Even when a
caller came to see her aunt on bust
ness and she left the room, Gail still
felt Interested and at ease-like other
girls
she was wearing a dress Of warm
gray, with wide crimson girdle and
touches Of the same at the neck. Be
hind her were some heavy portieres
oil deeper shade of red.
Suddenly, in the midst of what he
vas saying Reynold broke off with:
Would you let me sketch you, Miss
Bentley-as you are sitting now"
In wonderment that any one should
ask such thing, she gave consent;
and still chatting, Reynold turned to
his easel and began to work
As his interest grew, he became con
iidential. and told her some of the
hopes and plans for future work, and
Gail forgot to be constrained and
shy.
Mrs. Credey returned, and on see
ing that her guest was well entertain.
ed. withdrew to attend to the hundred
and one duties which were hers as
hostess of large house party.
Both Gail and the artist were sur.
prised when the waning day told that
the short winter afternoon was gone
4 few minutes later the skaters re-
turned with glowing accounts OF the
afternoons pleasure. During the con
fusion Gail slipped away-the little
left.out feeling again returning Now
that more attractive girls had come
she was no longer needed-or want
ed, She had noticed Reynolds eyes
brighten with pleasure at the sight o.
Edith's glowing face, and that Of pref
ty Lucy Bowers. another charming
guest.
win 1t always be like this, won
der? Shall just fill in chinks left by
more fortunate people? Why is it
why?" She knew Of many girls whC
were really much palmer than she
who had many attractions and goo,
times.