South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-10
WHY DID MRS. ALLIS ASK. WHO
Is THE ARTIST THIS
TIME. FRED?"

the house. were equally confused
and ANNOYED az discovering each
other But while the boy Redeemed
so painfully that Dicky and !
crouched in the underground near
by. could see the rush OF color 20 his
confusion plainly. the experienced
woman OF the world masked hers
cleverly.
Under one arm the boy carried
a large. shapeless bundle done up in
brown paper. As ne caught sight Of
Mrs Alils ne made a quick. clumsy,
involuntary effort 20 shift his bur
den behind his back. Then. evident
" realizing the absurdity OF his at
tempt. he stood stock still with the
bundle held awlzwardly in front of
him and his face the color Of a ripe
beet
We'll. which are you this morn
ing. Fred or Ned 2" Mrs. Allis asked
rnischievously. knitting away at the
sock on which she had been Osten-
sibly al work since the man whom
she had come TO the gigantic oak TO
meet had left her.
With the remembrance fresh up
on me Of the words I had just heard
this woman speak. words which had
BETRAYED the Pot against the val
liable collection OF paintings in the
Cosgrove parlor. in which she and
her accOmplice were concerned, /
marvelled at her calmness.
I'm Fred" the boy answered
truthfuliy.
And Fred" the brilliant black
ewes played over the lad maliciOusly.
what's the mysterious bundle you're
so afraid I'm going 70 see? Hand
II over for inspection, sonny. I'm
a customs inspector. No bundle
goes by this tree unless I knQw It's
contents"
Her tone and manner were as art
less as those OF a little girl playing
a game. and I knew that she meant
10 give that impression TO the boy
before her. But I could read real
curiosity beneath the surface OF her
teasing and realized that she meant
10 ascertain the contents Of the
package. either because of her love
OF malicious teasing or for some
more cogent reason.
At her words the boy started un-
easily. clasped his clumsy bundle
closer. and started back from her.
But she was too quick for him. 1.-the
as a cat she sprang toward him and
snatched at the bundle. laughing
rnerriIv the while as If IL were the
merriest Jest in the world.
The boy, plainly torn between the
desire 10 keep a knowledge Of the
bundles contents from her and
wish not 90 offend her. held on TO
his burden stoutly. But in the
struggle the paper loosened and its
contents tumbled 20 the ground.
Mrs. Ais Taken AbaCk.
From where we crouched Dicky
and I could plainly see the contents
Of the heavy brown paper wrapping.
An artists carrying case, Of good
material. but much worn with age
and hard usage. fell to the ground
aad opened. its lock evidently not
having been securely fastened. From
IL spilled a small roll Of canvas,
brushes, tubes OF paint all the para
phernalia of an artists work. There
was a similar outfit in Dicky's room
at home. although his illustrating
had long relegated Il into the back
ground.
Tor once 7 saw Mrs ATis taken
ahack She gazed at the carrying
case as II 10 were a venOmous ser
pent. Her face turned white. Then
she famed out hercely at the boy:
Where did YOU get thatg'
The conviction came 10 me that
she had seen the case before, was,
IN fact. familiar with it. But even
as she spoke. her usual poise came
back 10 her. her face cleared and
cIapping the wondering boy lightly
on the shoulder she said laughngly.
s'Did 7 brighten Won. Fred Wen.
then. I'm square with you for the
many times you've fooled me as 10
which twin YOU are I know where
this case came from. OF course.
Your mother has spoken SO many
times about her brother who painted
those pictures in the parlor It is
his case, I suppose. on. yes. here
are his initials. r. s But who is
the artist this time F'red2'
Her tone was careless, but saw
that she waited eagerly watchfully
for the lads reply.
Fnred's Very Plausible Explanation.
But the boys perpleNed. troubled
face had cleared swiftly az her
question. Evidently he had found
q way out from his dilemma. what
ever IL was
why. / amt DE said. with every
appearance OF truth in his face and
voice Mas been promisins me n
long time i should have q chance 20
try 20 copy those paintings or my
uncle's I'm the house. OF course i
can't do 'em well. but I've wanted TO
try 'em since ] was a little shaver.
IL was a plausible explanation.
Fred was just the sort OF shy.
dreamy boy TO have such aspira-
tions. and his unwillingness 10 have
The contents Of his bundle known
was also explained. Airs Allis look
ed genuinely relieved. She stopped
20 pick up the scattered things.
Tm tired staying here. she am
nounced. Iu just go back with
IN