Evening star., 1918-05-19

And / wouldn't sell MIN my wlfe 8
picture. anyway. I can see what's the
fallen in love with her through that
art print I have down in the case on
the walk"
"Well. 'taint uncomplimentary-
Mr.. Bunker began.
"Oh. 1t is common enough" said
Mr.. Burlington. Every photogra-
pher has the same thing happen.
Always some one coming in to see
II he or she can get a print of some
thing seen in the showcase. But
You put pretty baby picture in the
case. and you have the women COM
ing up by dozens. But this fellow!
He did make me mad"
Il reckon he did," agreed Mr.. Bun
ker. You sort O. sounded that way
Well. / stopped in to get one of mas
pictures. if they're ready"
Mr.. Burlington was most contrite.
Mrs. Bunker's art prints should have
been ready. but this fellow! Mr.. Bud
lington would bring one. and perhaps
two. of the prints home when he
came to dinner.
With this Mr.. Bunker was of neces-
sity satisfied. and he went down the
elevator shaft. juggling in the old.
snail-paced Car. With his errand
done. he had time on his hands and
he stood for a moment in the entry.
He had no bunco-business on hand.
He thought. for moment. he would
walk up Fifth avenue and find
bench in the park and feed the squir-
rels. but as he started out of the
entry he noticed the young man who
had caused Mr.. Burlington so much
annoyance
To tell the truth. the young man
did not impress Mr.. Bunker unfavor-
ably. He was perhaps twenty-five
years of age. but of the type that is
much mothered; In many respects
was more a boy of seventeen than
man of twenty-five. for his mother
who was widow-had kept him tied
fast to her apron-strings. He was
no giant Of intellect to begin with.
but as he stood looking into Mr.. Bud
lington's showcase with rapt gaze
he seemed a nice boy. AS he stared
II the twenty five dollar are print
of Mrs. Burlington he sighed.
Mr.. Bunker stepped to Mr.. Heath's
side and looked into the case.
Kind O. nice. eh?" he said.
II beg your pardon" said the
young man. with just tinge of
haughtiness.
Il say she's good-looker. amt
she?" said Mr.. Bunker. Il was just
upstairs yonder and sort of overheard
you talkin'. ! reckon you'd like to
own her. hey?"
DO you mean-'
"Sh!" said Mr.. Bunker. Not SO
loud. | understood you to say you'd
give fifty dollars: Want me to fix it
Can you:" asked the young man
eagerly.
fxer-up." chuckled Mr.. Bunker. Il
reckon l can. II l don't know that
girl. nobody does. l guess ] can fix
1t all right. What say your name is?'
The young man looked at the old
man doubtfully. What he saw in the
cent, twinkling blue eyes was not
calculated to increase his doubt.
MY name is Wells Hardcome
Heath" said the young fellow.
Mr. Bunker rummaged in his pocket
and found an envelope. On the back
of this he wrote the name.
Address," he asked.
I'D rather not give my address.
Can't see you here? Or somewhere
Il reckon it don't make no differ
snce to me-" said Mr.. Bunker. How'd
it be IL ] was to meet you up at
Central Park. along there by the en-
trance where thst gold horse. of
Gen. Sherman's is: Tomorrow along
about four?"
That is fine
And you'll fetch the hundred dol
lars?'
he young man HeSltdteu- Inc
slightest possible suspicion crossed his
mind. but he looked into Mr.. Bunker's
blue eyes.
Yes. hundred" he said. 1t is
great deal to pay. but
But I guess you can afford it, said
MI. Bunker. dryly.
Thus far Mr.. Bunker's mind had
not held the least doubt that he could
secure the photograph for Mr. Heath.
1t was quite right for Mr.. Burlington
to refuse to sell his wife's portrait to
a stranger. particularly as the ro-
nance of his marriage was still new,
but Mr.. Bunker knew that many pho
tographers do make prints for sale
with the subjects approval-and that
not few use their wives. sisters.
mothers and children as models for
such work. Mr.. Bunker did not count
on Mr.. Budlington's ready consent.
but he did count on Mrs. Burlington.
For all her beauty, she was a sensible
creature. and she knew how badly her
husband needed money.
Mrs. Burlington settled the matter
promptly.
"If Buddy doesn't want to sell my
picture l don't want him to sell it,"
she said
And / don't want your preftv fare