Smyrna times., 1916-06-07
THY NEIGHDOR
BY IzoLA FORESTER.


stairs to her studio suite and heard
decided moaning behind the doors
Of No. 3, she went straight up the
hallway and tapped on the door.
Please, please go away" came a
smothered. fearful sort Of voice from
within. Whereupon Elizabeth felt
capable and protecting, and she spread
her wings at once in brooding fashion
over the unknown neighbor in evident
distress.
But Elizabeth was gently, firmly in.
sistent, and finally the door opened. |
On the couch. face down in its pillows, /
was her girl neighbor. Beside her on |
the table lay many parcels. and stand. |
ing by the door which he had Just /
opened was a young man. gloomy and I.
thoroughly resentful OF the intrusion. /
Why. I'm sorry thought you
were alone" faltered Elizabeth.
NO. I'm with her" returned the
young man grimly. But she does not
approve OF men. She has lived alone
in this internal little dumping ground
Of art-and starved"
Elizabeth looked at him fixedly, as
she would have at any strange new
specimen. The young man went on
| TO Elizabeth:
i knew there was something wrong.
and came up to see how she was get
ting along. l found out she hadn't
eaten in two days. And she refused
to let me take her out and feed her
up or lend her any money. So went
out and bought up things and brought
them back. and now she's insulted"
1T was brutal Of you" Tie girl
sat up. and pushed back her hair.
Really. she was awfully pretty at
short range. She fairly glared at the
young man. did ever give you the
least reason even to imagine you
could buy me groceries?"
We'll. that's all right. too" re-
turned the young man. But what
want TO know is this-where do
stand?"
"on your own feet. Just intend to
stand on mine." came back his answer
swiftly. You told me you would never
allow a wife OF yours to peddle pic.
lures around magazine Offices"
Neither would l." came back the
decided answer. why should you!
I have plenty for US both. more than
plenty. You may paint and exhibit il
you like. You don't have TO peddle.
Il prefer independence in matri
mony. So long as l have q special
gift"
But you haven't. I appeal to this
lady. your neighbor Look at her pic
turesi" he pointed around the studio
Look at them. Seventeen thousand
other girls all over the civilized worlC
could paint Just as wen as she can
That may be exaggerated-slightly-
but It is partly true. She is not I
genius. Is she?"
Elizabeth felt delightfully."- incline'
to laugh and agree with him. Tn
paintings and sketches around tn
studio were lacking in everything tha
went for success. And the girl was s
pretty and so fearfuily sure OF herself
Cant you compromised" she aske
eagerly. That is, II you care for hir
at all"
"Oh. I care for him." retorted th
girl scornfully. THAT is why he know
he can come here and worry me. II
engaged to be married TO him. can
escape him"
why not break the engagement
She looked at the young ma
thoughtfully. He stood with bot
hands in his pockets. hopeful. but a
gressive.
She's tried that" he answers
briefly. Il won't let her. am abs
lutely certain that she loves me ar
will be happy with me ultimately. Br
4 meantime. l refuse to let her starve
Then I'll tell you a way out. Mar
her. Let her keep up her work heI
Don't interfere with her. Fix up son
attractive home elsewhere II you iii
4 or take a hotel suite. And gradual
win her"
\ Elizabeth paused. fairly glowi
4 over her plan. Romance had not col
4 to her. She was rather plain and
clever, but II was delightful to be
others. "I'T go upstairs and st'
making tea, and I want you both
4 come up in fifteen minutes. Then y
can let me know. But don't hagi
4 and worry each other. Either set
4 IL one way OF the other. Comprom
II you can"
L She went out softly. ran upsta
4 and started making tea. And in j.
fifteen minutes they came up.
neighbor and the masterful you
y man, and both looked oddly content
1 Were going TO try II" he 50
'Pm going to let her paint pictures
me. In fact. I've promised TO !
down here for a while, not here
actIy. but in this quarter, you kn'
she likes to call It the quarter. We
both given up points"
- II shall still peddie little"
- the girl. She bent over the tea IA
- and helped arrange the cups
- saucers. You've been so sweet