The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-24

Smiling, too, she went up the narrow
stair, but when tomorrow came she was
absent from her place at the restaurant
table. An atmosphere Of unaccountable
cheerlessness pervaded the sunny niche
impatiently at the girls delay. he
had intended to inquire today more
particularly into her manner Of liv-
ing. His night had been troubled and
wakeful at the thought Of her bright
presence. Drawing the struggle for ex-
istence. What sacrifice and deprivation
might she not be undergoing for a
dream of art which might be no more
than a dream! This, at least, his own
knowledge could decide for her If she
would come. But the opposite chair
remained vacant.
"Mademoiselle comes not today" the
garrulOus waiter remarked. MADE
moiselle. the green manikin, is alb
sent"
Bronson sat up with a start.
"Mademoiselle who?" he asked rath-
er sharply.
"She who dimes with you," the
waiter imperturbably replied, made
moiselle who is what you call 'manikip'
or model for the great modiste. Surely
monsieur has heard Of the green man
ikin from Franquetta's."
Yes. Bronson had heard, remembered
having seen the model pictured In
Franquetta's window, a graceful figure
clad always in garments soft tinted as
the oceans foam, and the model was
his frank faced student she of The
tenement room. The two seemed ir-
reconcilable.
Abruptly he left his untasted meal; a
satirical smile curled his lips. So his
sympathy had all been wasted, i'm,
posed upon. The green model of Fran
quetta's was evidently in no need of
pity.
For a moment he hesitated before
the glittering letters of the modiste's
sign, then passed into the miniature
theater. Before the parted curtain he
waited. watching tensely the girlish
figure framed in the cleaning lights.
Clad in bright green from shoulder to
satin heel stood the girl whose appeal
ing presence had so deeply stirred his
heart
Mechanically, automatically. like
some manikin in a play. she moved
across the brilliant stage, displaying
to an admiring audience the beauties
NJ har cOSt,1mo pittorlv Tho ,,,,,,
turned from her steady painted smile
to pass out again into the street. So
the struggling art student. the beloved
little student. had never been. Across
his very memory of her must ever
flash that crimson painted smile. He
frowned disapproval when next day
the girl herself slipped quietly into her
accustomed seat.
May | tell you," she asked, 1.-THE
story Of a green model who, unlike
your difficult heroine, is not exactly
as she seems. not exactly common
place? Her story may even have heart
interest"
wondering, he silently bowed his
head. The girl laughed TREMENDOUSLY.
Fame Is an Elusive thing" she quot
ed. Zone may more quickly find her
because Of ones ability to wear Il Ger
tain color than for the reward of tire
less years Of study. Over in America
my old father and my mother and tn.
i sister who has always been sick wait
for success in art which was prophe
sled surely for me. TO this purpose
were carefully-oh, so carefully-hoard
ed the savings of years. This had also
been my fathers youthful dream-tC
go abroad and perfect his own sketch
es, to achieve fame which critics prom
ised Marriage and later cares had
i forced this dream aside, but now 1,
was to be fulfilled, gloriously fulfilled
In myself, the daughter
But that which had seemed an as
j sured Inherited talent at home became
here doubtful promise, and at length
/, the savings We're gOne-all gone! Dc
you see. then" she cried passionately
what l have been doing? Deceivins
them all along; writing as l fan
cied the glow on their faces, Of how
one sketch had been accepted. of how
another brought the check inclosed
and all the time-all the time | was
but dressmaker's model, a manikin
In green. How else could one make
money here alone in a foreign land;
But now"-her voice broke despairing
ly-"how dare l 60 back. with my
hooking boast of art?"
Something gripped hard at the mans
throat. and his hand reached out ia
! clasp the gGls.
tomorrow" he said slowly-"tomor
! row | want to see those sketches"
Tomorrow he saw them. As he turn
! ed them over, looking intently at each
an expression of admiration gathered
on his face. When he came to the last
he looked up at her and said:
Its the old story-genius shopping
/ to feed on crumbs from the rich man :
table while it secured recognition"
And to two old people seated before
their farmhouse door there came one
eve letter. Read It," said the moth.
er. Its from our girl beyond the sea. =
The old man glanced quickly back
from the closely written page. why
he cried-''why, she's to illustrate that
great authors new book. mother. our
own little girl.'
In speeches. joy they gazed into
each others face. Then together they
finished the letter
"Rooks aDd nfcturao rnust avor x,,at,