The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-05
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
ii COMPOSITE GIRL.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.
(CopyFigh.. 1913, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate


ettOFS under the title had been Illus. T.
, rated aS she had feared by Julian |
Fletcher, aud Julian Fletcher had
managed 70 spoil the last half dozen
% 60 Of her contributions to the Ma
.ional."
Other people raved about his work,
and did not stop to insist upon the
fact, 40 Gid the author, that an Illus.
tration should stick 10 the context.
When . girl 10 said 70 come down
stairway in . queenly gown Of velvet
and spangles, II Is maddening TO see
IN the illustrations a debonair lass
tripping lightly down the steps, in a
frothy creation OF juvenile ruffles and
q sash. Also when one describes
heroine as having raven locks and
dark, soulful eyes. 1t is the veriest
heresy TO have her reproduced in
ipletuFe with rather fluffy hair OF an
lindiSeriminate yellow and eyes Of gray
with an unmiStakable sense Of humor
that compelled one who gazed to smile
back IN answering sympathy.
Just now the lady represented in the
picture was supposed to be a naughty
person who prided herself on her
knowledge OF clothes. Also she was
supposed to be alighting from her
limousine and drawing back in start
led horror as she saw approachinr
the one person IL the world she was
trying to avoid.
But instead Of Mortified haughtiness,
the artist had Sketched in an expires
slun OF rather clarified naughtiness.
There again was the expression that
rather refused to take life seriously.
"If," said Katherine, "that man
wants 10 be q button. how does it come
hes engaged 70 spoil perfectly serious
stories? I'm going to write TO the
editor and tell him that II he wants
any more stun Of mine he's got to hunt
another illustrator"
She looked again into the eyes OF
the girl who was intended to be soul
full. In spite Of herself she smiled
back Then happening to look up into
her own mirror, she was startled. Her
own eyes looking back at her from
the glass we're the exact counterpart
OF those on the page. And her hair,
Wavy, and caught back loosely from
her face, with its part on one side. was
exactly like that Of the girl in the pic
ture. Then she caught up another
picture, and another, and studied
them, long and carefully. Then she
took another inventory OF herself.
Slowly the bright color mounted 70
her cheeks, and her breath came hard.
4 The pictures in the magazine were -
her. there wasn't a doubt OF Il. And
now Il came back TO her gradually that
she had heard people say they hal nc
tleed a resemblance. And the dress IN
the stairway picture was certainly
hers, and the rather youthful knock.
about suit Of the limousine lady who
was supposed to know how to dress,
was a replica Of her own blue jersey.
And the hat!
Katherine grew thoughtful, Wh2,
VENGEANCE could she vTeak upon
Julian Fletcher, who, evidently know
ing her by sight, had had his own 1T
lie Joke at her expense. Bat alas
even while planning Vengeance, me
gray.blue eyes, like those u the ltmou'
site lidy, rather lacked the hardness
essential to real vendetta.
She tossed back her head finally
having reached at least partial de-
eislon, that is, in order to settle her
a.cnunt with one artist she must uake
IN the difference she had had with an
other. Jerry Page, her erstwhlle en-
envy, would now be essential, to the
hlfillment OF her scheme and she
must make up with him right away.
Poor Jerry! After all It was too bad
the way she had treated him. She
never dreamed she's miss him so much
until he had ceased to come. In the
oid DAYS he had a way Of giving three
Quick Knocks and sticking in his head
and saying: works the password,
Who gees there?"
II she was busy, she'd call out
"Kste." And he would softly close
The door and vanish.
But IL she called out huskily' "A
great big bear!" he would let the rest
OF himself in. his pockets cracking
suspiclousIy with parcels from the
deIicatassen across the street
Then Katherine would lay a cloth
and they would have lunch together.
Sometimes when he had sold a picture
ana she had sold a story. they would
70 to dinner at q big hotel and 70 a
theatre to celebrate. -.
~ lately, however. Katherine had sold
so(manv stories that she needed no
longer to live on the same street as
the delicatessen. And having sold more
ribrles she worked more, and her an
sWeF 10 Jerry's knock had more and
more seldom seen. "A great big Dta:'
mt then she did't have to depend on
oaehages for her meals any more. she
had her own maid in neat black ana
white TO announce quietly that dinner
was served. Jerry came few times
AZ mar invitation. but he didn't seem TO
81 himself. Finally he blamed her i9r
not caring for his friendship and they
lad dnaFFeled after discussing ~
Hut now she needed Jerry ana sne
snIled rather Wistiully as she put on
htr rat and coat for q visit back 10 TIE
old street.
She knocked timidly At the studio
door ana Jerry himself in his old vel
vet coat opened II.
with Me hand on his heart be eX.
ecntsd a most profound bow. Faith"
said he slowly Strengthening IT'S a
beautiful dream I'm having. ! never
mean to 90 to sleep.
She came in smiling. Wen, Wa'e