Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-05-08
The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
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A GUEST FOR DINNER
CHAPTER LXXII.

few days later, George brought Merton
Gray home to dinner with him. | was
delighted .hat Mary and | had agreed
upon an especially dainty dinner, be
cause l knew George would be cross II
anything went wrong when we had a
guest, even though an unexpected one
81 am afraid this is an imposition, y
Merton said as he shook hands. "But
Mr.. Howard insisted"
81 am very glad to see you, was
all | said, but eouldn t hide the pleas
ure felt.
"Mrs. Howard has become very eff
fieient housekeepar. You win not dis
curb her." George broke in.
was so pleased at his praise, and
blushed with pleasure. But why had he
never said this to me befOrel This re-
paid me, however, for all my efforts to
please him. l was glad, too, that he had
said it before Merton.
George was unusually iovial; and Mer-
ton was really gay. He complimented
every single dish James served. And.
really, the dinner was 4 success in every
way, l thought happily, as we adjourn
ed to the library.
A Wonderful Surprise.
81 have decided to have your portrait
painted, and Mr. Gray has promised to
take the commission, George said in
his dignified way.
my Portrait"
eyes. Is there anything strange about
that9"
"No--only-"
"You are surprised" he finished the
sen enee for me. You can have a few
sittings before we leave town; and if
more arc required, Mr.. Gray is to be at
Bar Harbor, and you can sit to him
there"
l was so glad to hear George say that
Merton was to be at Bar Harbor, that
l lost most of my interest in the pOr
trait. I had so hated the thought of
going to the fashionable places George
had selected, where I knew no one, and
so I welcomed this news with delight. ]
would not be alone, neither would l
be lonely, if l saw Merton Gray occas
ionally.
81 wish full length por rait, ,"
George remarked.
eyes. Mrs. Howard is so slight, her
beauty is of so delicate an order, that
she will make an admirable full lGngth
picture" Merton returned.
"She has a new gown which l think
would be admirable" George said, his
desire to arrange all details to suit him
self uppermost. 81 will ring for &C.
leste" he added, touching the bell and
then telling Celeste to bring certain
gown which had just come home.
She brought it-a silvery, cloudy
thing of tulle.
Wonderful" Merton exclaimed.
"Yes, it will make a wonderful set
ting" George replied, then as Celeste
left the room, they talked of other
things. l sat listening, happy and con
.ented because was allowed to do just
that-to listen, instead of being left
alone.
Music Hath Charms
81 brought some new songs" Mer-
ton said after a while, turning to me.
Would you like to try thams Or will
it bore you2" he asked George.
"Not at all. shall enjoy them, "
George relurned politely.
l ran them over quickly. 1 saw l
should be perfectly able to accompany
him. He sang three of them, with a.
great deal of feeling, and perfect tech
nique.
"Now please play something for me "
he said
played for some time. Finally, when
l left the piano, l heard Merton remark
to George
You should be very proud of Mrs.
Howard IS playing. l have seldom heard
an amateur who showed so much feeling,
and such taste in expression,
ayes, she does play well, George
returned, once more deligh ing me by
his praise
Merton remained until about ten
clock. When he left it had been de-
cided that should begin my sittings at
once. Celeste would go with me, and
George would look in once in a while to
see how the portrait was going.
81 feel honored by the commission" "
Mor ,on said. "And it is seldom 1 have
so attractive subject" "
After he left, George and l talked
genially for some little time. He was
quite excited over the idea of my por-
trait. But | am afraid thought more
of the delightful chats l should have
with Merton when l should be able to
express myself without fear of criticism
than did of pleasing George. | had not
forgotten the delightful hour Evelyn
and l spent wih him the day he asked
us to lunch at his studio.
| had no wish to have Merton Gray
talk love to memo slightest desire to
have him flatter me as did Claude Hunt.
ington. Yet l never was so content, so
happy, as when was chat ing with
Merton Gray, and listening to him.
(Tomorrow-My First Sitting)
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