South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-22

Beatrice fkalQon lookeQ up at the
young novelist who was the guest
OF honor az Fred CantrelTs studio
tea, and smiled knowingly "Girl2
Don't you see that band OF velvet
around her thrOat2" she questioned
lazily. Women never wear that
tell tale symbol OF age until youth
has passed them by. Mr.. Wetzell.
One tells the age OF a horse by his
teeth, you know" she exclaimed
laughingly. We'll. one Judges the
age Of a woman by her throat"
IS my question 10 be answered.
favored one without the badge OF
age?"
Beatrice flushed a little. "Oh.
certainly. She is Jane Pruden.'
And the salt of this old earth.
added Fred Cantrell, coming up TO
them in time 10 hear James name.
Jane is one of those dependable
girls. She's always doing charm
ing, agreeabl things for everybody.
one Of those self effacing creatures
whose existence we are led 10 doubt
at times. She has a studio in the
building here. She writes quite a
bit"
Not wonderful things like YOU
do. Mr.. WetzeH" gushed Beatrice,
languishly. Jane does things that
anybody could do. nlIers, 1 think
publishers term such stuff"
We'll. some Of her stuff is darned
clever" defended Fred she had
poem in a top notch magazine
last month. I doubt if you could
do as we'll. old boy. oh. / say. she's
a conner! Just you wait and see.
Bee. dear girl. go over and make
that young artist by the door have
a good time. He's just about your
size" Then when she had gone,
he added with knowing wink,
Mentally"
IL was only when everybody else
had gone that Leon Wetzeu had an
opportunity to talk TO Jane Pruden.
She helped the maid straighten up
the studio, and carry out thes tea
things. then she went over and sat
down on the high white settle beside
the fire. Wetzell knocked the ashes
from his big pipe. dropped it into
his pocket and Joined her.
Where's Fred" he asked
He has gone home with one OF
the girls. Dear old Fred" she said
signing q little, "he is in love with
love He has a new girl every
week"
That's his artistic temperament
isn't it "
Jane laughed. Temperament is
like ones mother. a blessed. sub
stantial thing to fall back on when
everything else fails"
Fred certainly admires you, Miss
Pruden," he ventured. watching her
closely.
Her slender hands pulled a little
at the narrow band of black velvet
around her throat Yes. I'm play
ing big sister. taking care of him
until the right girl comes along"
And what kind OF a girl will the
right girl be?"
Who knows? Somebody bouy-
antly, wonderfully young, I Should
say. with wide, innocent eyes: the
appealing, distinctly feminine type.
a sweet girl who doesn't go in for
intensive mental training. Clever
men never want clever women for
wives. 1t is an aphorism, trite but
true"
You study human nature. don't
you? Fred told me that you are
a writer"
That is far too dignifed a term.
Now. tell me about your work. I
am immensely interested I think
that I have read every one OF your
novels"
Leon Wetzel smiled at her and
lifted his hands in a deprecating
/ gesture. "Problematic stuff all OF
it, That's what people want. Now.
if I could ride my hobby profitably.
would write about birds and bees
but gentlemen must live. YOU know,
and incidently. butter their bread"
And own a limousine or two"
laughed Jane.
We'll. one must offer the public
what it is willing to pay for-or
starve"
Irwin Cobb does not cater TO the
public He has been big enough and
fine enough 10 make his own audi
ence. think that ne is remarkable
to be able TO put JOY into TIE world.
20 make men laugh and so forget
for a little time, the shadow that
hangs over all of US because Of the
terrible war that is soaking the
earth with human blood. With his
inimita bic humor, Cobb is veritably
a savior to the sanity Of mankind"
do you know" ne said with
candor. II need the friendship OF
a woman like you-somebody whose
ideals have not been commercialized
to spur me on"
Il am old fashioned. Mr. Wetzell
often tell Fred when he sketches
and paints something, haphazardly
just for money, success can't be
gagged that way. ANY form OF art
is a gift II you use that gift sue
cessfully whether it's writing, paint
ing or singing. you ought 10 be able
10 cheer men, harassed by the trials
OF the work-a-day world: you ought
to be able 10 lift their eyes TO the
stars"
Leon Wetzell suddenly leaned over
and put his hand over hers You're
right" he said quietly. quite right
With a woman like you. a man
might go upward. toward the sum-