The Delta independent., 1916-01-07
THE Wind TRAVELLER
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

For the past month the studio direct
ly opposite the library windows had
been most interesting. Evidently 1t
was occupied by a sculptor. She
caught glimpses of clay models and
plaster casts on long bare shelves. It
looked cool and restful in the room.
There were long, dark, green-mesh
curtains at the windows and a north
skylight overhead. Regarding it all
once more, Peggie turned and resumed
writing to her best chum at college,
Nan Carruthers.
He works incessantly. ! think the
new one is Diana because she seems
to carry a quiver, but maybe it's a
Greek girl with a jug, ! mean jar. oh.
Nan, how wonderful it must be to
really live right in an art atmos-
phere. You don't know how interest
ing he looks. though, Nan. and / don't
even know his name. I don't even
want to know It. Distance lends SO
much enchantment to this special
view"
"Peggie, You're wanted at the
phone called Frances from below.
Mothers at Peabody & weston's. and
she can't remember whether you said
to get raisin color or more on the
hyacinth."
Peggie went down quickly. without
irritation at the interruption. In
fact, Peggie hardly knew what irrita-
tion meant. She had been blest al
birth. the family said. with unfailing
good temper. The world was rose
color to her and. infinitely good to
live In. She patted Jacks head low
ingly as he wedged by her on the
stairs. and tried TO think just what
would be best to tell her mother so
she would really get the right tone.
Her voice aoated clearly upstairs.
while Jack strolled into the library
with a captive ant in a capsule box
and several peanuts in his pocket
Why. dear. it's a sort OF betwixt
and between. No, no. not a true raj
sin tint Remember. amethystine in
dull glow. All right. dear. Thanks
so much"
Jack squeezed by her again on her
with his hands behind him He was
seven and utterly full of guile. In the
room below he worked leisurely. hap
PLY. constructing his balloon from a
nice. obiong cream sheet Of paper COW
cred with Peggie's rather large hand
writing. And finally he launched II.
hiss wind traveller. from the broad bay
window. and eyed II rapfurously as
the breeze caught II and bore Il
straight up and over the way. II
rocked and dallied II. II coquctted
with II like . Leaf. and finally II bore
Il laHiiy into the open window of the
studio opposite. where Winthrop Alb
bott worked on the new design for the
municipal fountain. Nereid holding
up dolphin.
II lay on the floor near his foot.
and as he stepped back he glanced
down and read:
"Hc works necessarily. think the
new one-maybe It is . Greek girl
with a Jug
Right here the labor for the foun-
tain stopped. Winthrop took the little
paper balloon and slowly opened It.
He read 1t over carefully. looked
around at the open skylight, and went
to his window to test the way Of the
wind. And he saw the launcher of
aircraft at the bay window opposite.
n round.faced. curly haired leddie who
waved at him excitedly and called,
ibid you get it7''
And then at the window above ap-
peared a face that might have posed
for his own fair Nereid maiden. a
startled. wide-eyed. anxious face that
vanished almost instantly. and Win
throp prepared to return the wind
traveller.
Peggie did not appear at that FIRST
visit. but when he dined there. two
weeks later. shy-eyed and rather cool
in manner. Peggie sat next to her
mother. and she wore the gown the
tint OF California grape bloom. Win
throp thought she looked clad in a
cloud OF dawn. with her slender white
throat above and gray eyes and chest
nut hair.
He listened mechanically to his
hosts congratulations. The Nereid
was accepted. Mr.. Chalmers was the
chairman of the municipal committee
on art. But Jack. sitting beside Fran
ces on the opposite side of the table.
knew far more than his father OF the
workings OF their distinguished guests
mind. After dinner. just for mo-
ment, Winthrop found her standing
with Jack at the bay window. and
Joined them. Jack smiled up at him.
81 sailed It out of this window" he
said.
God bless you. Jack" murmured
Winthrop fervently. and Peggie
flushed. He bent over her longingly.
Does distance really lend so much
anchantment. lady fair? Are you
angry with me or the wind, Pier