The Dolores star., 1916-02-25

the events of the preceding evening
came back to his mind. His hesitancy,
Hills arguing with him, the details
Of their compact, and his final agree
ment to the extraordinary proposal
All. yes! and Hills writing Of the two
letters, one OF which gave him. Pedro.
possession OF the apartment In which
he now found himself. The other to .
friend of Hih's to be delivered on the
morrow-that was today-today.
Slowly he let his gaze travel about
the comfortable little bedroom In
which he lay. Its furnishings were
simple in the extreme. yet adequate.
Opposite him stood a chest OF draw
ers. mahogany, and old. There were
brushes ON It and q few simple ebony
toilet necessities. At the foot OF ~
bed was q door. half closed. The
studio was in there! At the thought
he sprang up and flung the door wide
to discover II his memory Of the night
was q vision or . reality.
As he stood upon the threshold he
seemed for an instant to see, not the
room before him. but the upright. fash
ionably clad figure Of Hill, leading .
bear OF into the dark regions beyond
Washington square. Then, throwing
back his head. he laughed. and stepped
into the studio.
Once 1t had been the attic covering
the upper floors Of two adjoining
houses. In every sense the place was
a workshop. replete with the most per-
feet tools for the trade of the brush,
and the only spot conducive to idlinG
was the chimney corner. Upon the
smaller easel stood the half-nnished
portrait of . man, while against one
wall . pile of canvases was standing.
their faces hidden.
Pedro drew a long breath Of delight
Then 1t was true; It had not been .
dream. after all! He thought of Mr..
Jones again, and for q moment the
pang Of that dear remembrance was
bitter. How was Hill getting ON with
Old Nita? he wondered. II only It
were possible to be with them, and
here at the same timei All. we'll! one
could not serve two masters, and he
had chosen and did not regret.
On the mantel shelf stood letter
that Pedro had placed there ON the
previous evening. Hill had given It
to him with the Injunction to deliver
1t at the earliest possible moment. He
read the superscription with interest:
Abraham Lincoln Leigh
An address on Tenth street followed
Pedro determined to deliver 1t at onca
The house in which Abraham LIN
coin Leigh lived. was. like almost ev-
cry other building in this neighbor-
hood. now being put to a use other
than that for which 1t was originally
intended, for once 1t had been a ware
house for the storage Of paper.
.Yep!" said the hallboy, in response
to Pedro's inquiry as to whether Mr..
Leigh was in. Third to your right
Last door!"
So Pedro mounted and knocked.
"Come!' said q resonant voice.
which was like the booming of great
bell. And Pedro, rejoicing At the mu-
sic Of 1t. promptly obeyed.
1t was a large studio which he en-
tered, large and crowded and disor-
dered beyond belief. Several cornerU
had been screened of for uses other
than those of sculpture, which was the
self.evident occupation Of the propris-
tor.
At the moment Of Pedro's entrance
Abraham Lincoln Leigh was STOPPING
over a fryingpan full Of bacon, which
was sizzling on the stove; and the in
Simultaneous impression which his VS.
itor received was that the mans name
had in some curious fashion infiu-
enced his personal appearance. He
was very tall, and his leanness was
extraordinary. As Pedro entered, he
did not even turn his head for q mo-
ment, but continued manipulating the
bacon deliberately. When it was re-
versed. he looked up at his visitor. and
again the mellow voice rang out like
the slow chimes of church bell.
who are your"
lam Pedro" said the owner of that
name, flashing his white smile. Il
have a letter from Sam HILL"
"Ah!" remarked Leigh, not, how
ever, offering to take the missive. but
looking at the bearer, and, as was 80
commonly the case, liking him. Then.
in response to that smile of Pedro's,
Leigh smiled. rare thing in him, and
an Illuminating.
Have you had your breakfast" he
asked.
why, no! haven't" exclaimed tho
boy, evidently surprised at the recol-
lection Of his lack.
Leigh looked him over again, his
face grave despite the gathering up
Of the little lines at the corners OF
his eyes.
You're a friend of Sam's?" he
asked.
81 am his most devoted one!" e1-