Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-05-11
The Woman Who Changed
By JANE PHELPS
A SATISFACTORY DAY
LXXV.

Vial In hAA1s
My unhappy thoughts were inter
rupted by Celeste.
sit is time Madame dressed for the
studio" she said. She had my dress on
her arm-a new one l never had worn,
but which l had told her l would chris
ten because George was going to be at
the studio.
l bathed my face, then dressed as
quickly as possible. We would walk to
the studio. 1t would help me 20 forget
my musings, help me to forget my hus-
bands ungraeious speech.
y was a lovely morning, and by the
time We reached the studio l had almost
recovered my usual spirits. Merton was
very enthusiastic, in spite of the UNI
satisfactory frs, sitting.
eve will have a wonderful portrait"
he remarked as he started to work.
81 hope so, Mr.. Howard is very anx-
iOus that it shall turn out well, He is
coming in, a little later"
Did imagine it, or did a flicker of
annoyance really pass over the artist
facet In a way, l was glad he didnh
want anyone to watch his work. | felt
l should be so conscious, and that per-
haps George would be disagreeable.
George Has a Companion
The portrait went amazingly we'll.
1 was not nervous, and was able to hold
the pose for a much longer time. l was
resting when Merton mar ushered in
George and Julia Collins.
Chow is il going7' George asked, af
ter greeting had been exchanged.
"Fine! l am delighted with my sit
ter"
81 am very glad. From Mrs. How
ard s report, 1 judged she was any
thing'but satisfactory in holding a pose
for you"
"a full length" Mrs. Collins in
quired, looking at the eanvos.
"Three quarters Mr.. Gray said
eurtly.
"What kind of a gown are you to
wear, the one you have onR II is very
pretty" there was a ~patronizing note
in her voice which nettled me.
Ono, Mrs. Collins, I have had a very
lovely gown made for the picture. This
is ona of my new summer gowns. | think
it rather pretty, myself" | copied her
tone as nearly as possible. | would be
patronizing, too.
l saw a flash of some emotion cross
Georges face. IL loked like pride, but
l could not be sure.
The gown makes very little differ
ence, when the subject is young and
beautiful" Merton Gray said soberly.
can older woman needs the softening
effect of velvets and s%atins, to set her
off, but Mrs. Howard needs nothing
save the gauzy draperies that accen-
iuate her youth"
Julia Collins looked as if she would
like to bite something.
II suppose you mean to imply that I
would have to be painted in a black
velvet gownf" She said, with a laugh
that failed to hide the sheer that lay
behind it.
eyes, you would need a gown of that
sor,, or some draperies to soften the por
trait" he returned, evidently obliv,
ious to her sneer. But ! was sure he had
noticed it, and was paying her back.
Holding Her Own.
My spirits were rising. I felt mat
Mrs. Collins was trying to belittle me
before my husband, and l would not
allow it. So l met jest with jest, repair
tee with repartee, veiled sheer with one
still more d~elicately vailed. 1t was like
an in sicate game, where you watched
your opponent move and attempted
to outwit him.
For once, l thought gratefully of
Mrs. Sexton. The memory of her com
pliment, when l repeated how | had met
Julia Collins snub, that day in the
street, helped me wonderfully b hold
my own now.
Mrs. Collins looked charming. That,
I had to concede. She wore a smart
tailored suit of Scotch tweed, and a tiny
hat of crimson straw that was wonder
fully becoming to her dark beauty. The
hat would have been most trying %
pearly any other woman, but she had
a knack of wearing unusual things in
a chic way, all her own.
I'VE have done enough for today.
Won't you allow me to offer you tea,
Merton asked.
"Teal At this time of day! No in
deed. You go on with your picture.
George will take ME to the Ellie for
luncheon, won t you G~eorge9"
| felt myself flush at the intimacy
displayed SO openly, but | thought again
Of Mrs, Sexton, and said calmly:
eyes, George, do. / am sure, if you
had not eome in, Mr.. Gray would have
worked longer. l am not at all tired,
and you know my time is short"
"Gome on, George. You see they
don want usl" Mrs. Collins broke in,
giving him no time to reply. He took
his hat and they babe us goodbye.
"You have earned a reward. What
shall it be9'' Merton Gray asked, his
eyes twinkling.
(Monday-Helen's Reward)