Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1916-11-30

and he knew from sad experience that
he had been an abject failure as a
philanthropist. The missionary prom
Used to give his case some consider
alton on the morrow.
Brother Billy rendered his new
friend an immediate service by direct
ing him to lodging slightly superior
in quality to any place which Burton
might have found otherwise. 1t had
been erected as studio building, but
an industrial wave had submerged the
district, and art is tender flower
which seldom thrives in such condi-
lions.
Still, the muses. had not wholly de-
parted, as John learned while bar
gaining with the janitor for a sparse
ly furnished room. A pretty girl
passed on the landing. She was carry
ing bottle of milk and box Of
crackers, and John was vastly sur
prised by noting the way in which
the man scowled after her.
81 don't mind a chap like you bsin'
a few days shy with the rent" came
the janitor's prompt explanation. you
can always make good after weeks
work, but who's goin' to buy little
images of soft clay, the same as she
turns out" and with jerk Of the
head indicated the retreating figure.
"Why, she can't even raise the wind
to buy block Of stone. I'll 60 and
fire her right away"
John had caught a glimpse Of a
sweet face, with big, artistic eyes Of
myosotis blue; eyes Of that wonderful
tint which becomes a deep and ten
der violet when shaded, and wished
that he dared intercede in the de-
faulter's behalf.
The weather being warm, he left
the door ajar and soon became aware
that a somewhat lively crew occupied
a suite on the same landing. The
janitor's heavy footsteps sounded on
the stairs. Apparently he had gone
straight to the girls apartment, and
John guessed, quite accurately as 1t
happened, that a gruff warning had
been given and tearfully received
Seemingly similar errand was i'm
minent for the noisy, laughing young
fellows whose chatter reached John
clearly through the open door.
| Indeed, he heard the man say loud
ly:
I'm bringing you fellers final no,
tice. You're three weeks behind now
and If amt paid tomorrow"
"Hush," gurgled rich, flutelike
voice. Don't utter another word, and
I'll show you where we keep the
demon"
| Johns curiosity was aroused. He
rose aud went to the door, and saw
a very tall and phenomenally thin
young man leading the janitor into
the opposite fiat. The uncouth Irish
man was somewhat startled by that
word "demOn," and his guides sat
urnine air was mystifying. At any
rate, he was silenced for the moment
and suffered himself to be takeu
across the room towards a cabinet
which the tall young man suddenly
threw open.
The janitor stepped back a pace
evidently expecting to see something
uncanny, but his fascinated eyes mere
ly rested on a few glasses and a big
black bottle labeled '"The Demon
Rum"
A ribald yell from some unseen
spectators greeted his surprise. But
the Irishman took the situation and
the rum good humoredly, and went
out without delivering the ultimatum
John could not help overhearing what
followed. He became aware that the
lanky person fiourished five-dollar
bill, the sight of which evidently in.
duced momentary stupefacion in
his friends.
'Tell you what. boys" chortled the
youngster, "we1i celebrate tonight
I've actually disposed of a master.
piece"
Bring Mary" shouted someone
"She's as hard up as we are"
The suggestion was acted on in.
stantly, and John knew that pro,
testing but laughing girl was being
dragged forcibly downstairs. But the
brotherhood of the arts did not end
| there. He heard the tall young man
saying:
'That's four of us. We want fifth
since there's luck in odd numbers, as
witness the five In this bill. There's n
new ledger across the way. Perhaps
he's hungry, too"
Thus 1t came about that john found
himself in Bohemia, and was soon
shaking hands with Mary Ames, sculp-
tress; Reggie Burke, cartoonlst; Tom
Delaney, writer, and Charlie Pierce
musician.
The three men had been dubbed
'"The Irrepressibles" by their friends
and never was title better deserved
Tom Delaney ofiiciated as cook, and
his friends We're dispatched on err
rands to the neighboring stores. Hence
John had few minutes sustained