Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-28

MY MARRIED LIFE
BY ADELE GARRISON

ny ADbAJE GAhhlOON
TlHERE was a long silence In the dining
i room OF the Shakespeare House after
Dlclsy had casually said that he was an
artist who often sketched In the vicinity.
Mrs. German and her beautiful sister Miss
Draper stared at him with some hidden
emotion which we could not read Dicky
and I were too much astonishcd al their
reception Of his remark to say anything.
Finally Miss Draper picked up the serv-
ing tray and hurried into the kitchen. Mrs.
Gormnn wiped her eyes as She saw her
sisters departure.
You mustn't think we're queer" she
said at length But I suppose your say
Ing YOU were an artist brought all her
trouble back TO Grace. poor girl" Mrs Cor
mans eyes threatened to overflow again.
"If lt wouldn't trouble you too much, tell
us about H." BlClSy'B voice was gentle in
vlting Perhaps we could help you"
'G don't think anybody can help" Mrs
German shook her head sadly you sec
over since Grace was a baby, almost, she
has wanted to draw things ] brought her
mp. / was the oldest and Hhe the youngest
or twelve children, and our mother died
soon after she was born. | was married
shortly nfterward. and from the time she
could hold a pencil IN her hands she has
drawn pictures ON everything she could lay
her hands on. In school phe was always
there was no money TO give her any lessons
go she didn't get very far. Since she left
school she has been planning every way 20
save money enough to go 60 an art school
but something always hinders."
THE AMAZING OFFER
Mrs German paused only 10 take breath.
Having broken her reserve she seemed un-
able to stop talking
"She went into "a drcssmnkng shop as
soon as she left school had taught her
TO sew utifully-thlnling she could earn
money enough when she had learned her
trado to have term In an art school. But
hor health broke down at the sewing ana !
had her home here a year"
! remembered the remarkable appearance
OF costly attire Miss Draper had achieved
when w0 saw her In the station, This
then. was tho solution. She had made
them all herself
"Then she got another position" Mrs
Gormana voice fnltered Intultvey felt
that there was something about this last
position that the older sister did not np.
prove. But just as she was getting some
where the firm failed on account of the
war and she came home this morning. clear
discouraged It's the first time ever saw
her give up hope. It's no use. Kate. she
said to me today I'm going to give IL
all up and get a job In Il store somewhere,
II can"
Miss Draper came into the room In time
walked swiftly to her sisters side, her
eyes blazing
Kate" she said, her voice low but tense
with emotion. why are you troubling
these strangers with my nfrairs?"
Before Mrs German could answer DIcly
intcrposed.
Just n minute. please" he said sauthorl-
tntively. AS II happens Miss Draper. /
am in position to make Il proposition to
you concerning employment which viii pro-
vido you with a comfortable income and Mt
the same lime enable you to- pursue your
studies"
"rhls girl has had lessons I'm II hard
school," ] said to myself. "Shc has learned
to dlstrust men and to doubt any proposed
kindness"
81 have been commissioned to do "A set
OF Illustrations" Dlcly went on. "in which
tho central figure is young girl In the
regulation summer costume such as you
have on have been unable to find a
satisfactory model for the pictures II you
will allow me to say so. you arc just the
type l wish for the drawings. IL you will
pose for them VIII give you $50 and buy
you n monthly Communication ticket from
Marvin 50 that you viii have no expense
coming or going. There are several artist
friends Of mine who have been looking
for IA model OF your type. | think YOU
could safely count upon an income Of $40
or $50 n week after You get started, l
know there are several other drawings /
have in mind In which | could use you"
Mrs. German had attempted TO speak two
or three times while DcISy was explaining
his proposition, but Miss Draper had
silenCed her with a gesture. Now, how
ever she would not be denied. "A model"
she shrilled eXcltedly You're not in
suting my sister by asking her TO be a
model are you? Why ia rather see her
dead than have her do anything so shame
less"
Kate. keep quiet. You do not know
what you are talking about" Miss Drap-
er's voice was low and calm. but II Quleted
her older sister Immediately.
II take II YOU do not mean-hgure pos
ing" She hestated before tho word ever
30 slightly.
on no, nothing Of the kind" Dlcky
hastened to reassure her, ITS the ability
to wear clothes well, with "A certain air.
that especially want"
And what do you mean by an oppor-
tunity TO go on with Gsy Btudies?"
The girl was really superb. with the
prospect Of more money than I knew she
had ever had before she yet could stand
and bargain for the thing which 10 her was
far more than money.
"Show me some of your drawings" Dlcky
spoke abruptly
She went swiftly upstairs, returning in
a moment with two large portfolios These
she spread out before DclSy on the table,
and he examined the drawings very care
fully,
/ felt very much alone. out of IT, For
all Dloky noticed, l might not have been
there at all,
mot bad at ALL" was Dicky's verdict
Indeed some Of them are distinctly good
Now, III tell you what l viii do he said
turning TO Miss Draper. Until you find
out what time you can give TO an art school |
/ will give you what little help / can In
your work II you can be quiet, and | |
think you can, you may work In my studio |
at odd times when you are not posing
What do you think OF it?"
''rhnk OF ~ Miss Draper drew a long
breath, Il accept your ofrer gladly"
(CopyrighD
CONTINUED TOMORROW