The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-07-12

New York. So II you are sure you
win not mind my going, Billy
And Billy was very sure that he did
not mind. MollIe almost forgot the
dlsagreeable incident Of the morning
as she arrayed herself in her new and
modern white gown. She must show
that artist from abroad that they were
not behind the times in WaycrOss, even
though the grass grew tall upon ench
side OF Main street. But when she
entered the Warwicks brightly lighted
reception room, disappointment was
evident among the assembled guests
for the great artist had not arrived.
"He left the house early this morn
ing" Anna Warwick confided, prom
islng 10 return for luncheon. And SUCH
a perfect luncheon ms / had prepared,
my dear. But he did not return. Din
ner was also served without him; no
excuse for his delayed absence. nor
even telephone message. Tempera-
ment, | suppose. Wandered all the
way to Brayton, no doubt, looking for
light and color, and then probably
calmly sat down and ate his meal IN
the hotel, forgetting all about us.
Franz is quite equal 10 do thing Ike
that. but by this time you'd think he
might have n glimmerlng Of returning
consciousness. Well l will show the
people some Of his sketches and his
picture.
"Here Mollie, dear, is his photo
graph. Striking likeness. Distin-
gushed looking, don't you Think"
Mollle, the large photograph clutched
in her hand, suddenly subsided upon
a deeply soft couch. Where had she
seen that small uptwisted mustache'
those steely clear eyes, that crisply
curling fair hair-even the studious
frown beneath the fine brows?
There was no need TO think. The
face had been indellbly stamped upon
her memory as its owner had stood
that morning on hand reaching for the
knob of her auto door. The barrel OF
Bnly's empty revolver had been lev
elled at that same distinguished coun'
tenance. And he, the man had said.
he had injured his ankle and could
not walk. He, the great adored artist,
while she, Molly, the heartless, the
suspicious had actually threatened his
life and ridden away! oh 1t was
horrible! Perhaps now even as the
eager throng awaited his coming, the
suffering man lay alone!
"Anna" she said with little quick
/ 81 20 homo
now, at once"
"Well, dear" her friend agreed, III
it's Billy You are worrying about, OF
course we will excuse you"
Molly did not wait to see Billy. Her
remorseful heart burned TO atone. In
the garage she found the little red car
and turned on its lights. A moment
she fingered to sweep into n box the
contents of two plates left from the
evening meal, then out into the night
silently swung the car
On past the last twinkling house
light. noisily over the wooden bridge,
heavily through the newly cut roads
into the deeper darkness. The head
lights showed him at last, long figure
stretched motiOnless beside the road,
his face upraised TO the stars.
In a moment Mollie was bending
over him. 81 :" she breathed in re-
lief as his unbelieving eyes looked up
into hers. ~ feared that you had
tainted
A grim smile slowly spread itself
| ~, atrThn
surprising young woman" he MUIR
INJURED. "Have you returned TO carry
out your threat of shooting me DOWN.
If so, am completely at your mercy" 3"
He pointed to his crudely bandaged
ankle. Couldn't get away if tried"
"Oh, please" Moliie entreated, her
eyes soft with pity and almost in
coherent in her repentant haste she
told him the days story.
"And So" he said at last, ''yOu were
defending Uncle Sans mail; you were
plucky enough to take the place of an
invalid brother, and tonight" his eyes
held hers in strange fascination, "yoU
came back alone over the rough ways,
through the darkness, to rescue me, a
stranger?'
Mollie nodded, and the clasp Of his
hand was so fervent so pleasantly dis
concerting, that she turned in laughing
embarrassment to the emergency lunch
she had brought him. And after that,
his grateful glance still upon her, she
led him heavily leaning upon her
shoulder to the waiting car.
At the Warwick's entrance, when
she turned to leave, the artist put
forth his hand. "The atonement," he
said, and the slight accent had now a
caressing sound, "is not yet complete.
l must exact until the time Of my re-
covery two hours reading each after
noon"
"As you WILL" answered Mollie,
demurely.
"And at least one hours conversa-
tion each morning"
"That, too" agreed Mollie.
So, in a city art gallery is exhibited
a wonderful picture, a girl whose wide
eyes are as blue as the band on her
hair. Against the artists name in the
catalog is written, Portrait of Mollie,
his wife" But to Billy May the pic
ture is that Of "The Angel"