South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-09
WHAT HAPPENED VIII T. y
MADGE;S HAT CAME TO
"GRACE THE FEAST"

lie smiled az her tolerantly, while
/, amazed at his audacity, trembled
with a newborn hope that there
might be some unexplained reason
for the scene I had witnessed in
HambePs when I had seen him
buying an expensive hat and suit for
Edith" He had described the hat
but a few moments before. and de-
clared that he had bought it for me.
I waited breathlessly for his next
words.
II suppose I might as well tell you
the whole story" he said, leaning
back In his chair. He addressed
Mrs. Durkee directly, but I felt in
tuitively that his story was meant
for me.
You see. had a very ticklish
order the other day. Starrett Of
me TO illustrate that new serial Of
Blocks It's all southern stuff. real
old Virginia, and the heroine, Of
course. Is a Virginia girl, f. +. V
and all the rest OF it."
started violently. If what
Dicky were saying were true!
But he was talking rapidly on, and
composed myself to listen.
Luckily, some OF the scenes are
laid in New York. where lovely hero
inc seeks her fortune. and all that
rot. You know Blocks usual line
Of patter. I'll have TO take a run
down TO Virginia for a few drawings,
but most OF the work can be done
right here.
And by the greatest piece Of good
fortune 1 had a wonderful type for
a heroine right within reach. You've
seen those two Virginia girls, Edith
and Leila Fairfax, who have an al
legged studio in our building, haven't
you. Alf?''
where's the Hat NOw?"
Sure Alfred Durkee returned
lazily. Whenever hear their
names can hear biscuit being beat
en-, and smell the fried chicken. But
don't disgress too far, Dicky-bird.
I'm curious to know how you're go
ing TO put over this buying clothes-
for-feminine-fr friends stunt. It's a
new one TO me-"
shut up" ordered Dicky rudely.
you don't need any pointers on
anything of that sort. But 10 go on.
IL you can manage to keep your
mouth shut, I finally screwed up my
courage TO ask them to help me out
with the pictures. OF course. /
couldn't offer them money: they'd
turn up their patrician Virginia toes
TO the daisies at the idea of acting
INT
were very sweet about helping me
out on the score of being studio
friends and neighbOrs.
Il wanted to do something in re-
turn for them, and I finally hit up
on the idea OF asking them If they
couldn't use the suits AID gowns ]
had them wear in the pictures. You
see. 1 prepared for the drawings
very carefully. asd personally Sc
lected the gowns and hats they were
10 wear, becouss I didn't want a
Earring note. OF course. the gowns
fitted them and no one else, so after
little demurring they agreed: in
fact. I fancy they were secretly
tickIed to death. But mentally
drew the line when I saw that $4,000
blue hat. 1t was just the type /
wanted for the drawing. but I didn't
want to see anybody else but milady
here wear il afterward. Beside
I'm not so flush that I want TO re-
ward lady friend models with $4,000
hats"
MOP" Alfred Durkee's voice held
dry note OF incredibly, which ]
knew he was mischievously employ
ing for the purpose of getting a rise
out OF Dicky. Then where's the
hat now"
In my studio. YOU idiot" Dicky
returned. i've got TO make the
drawings first before I bring il
home''
Did you bring Miss Fairfax 70
Hambers with you ." Mrs. Durkee
asked. innocentIy enough and Yet ]
saw that she scented something still
unsolved.
cor course Dicky replied.
You must have been there Just
when we were. It's wonder Mrs
Graham didn't see you. Why. now
know-she must have seen you
that was what"
Who il This Girl?
Please. Mrs. DUrkee." I begged
I'm a low voice. my face flushed with
Inundated embarrassment. IL was
bad enough 10 have Mrs. Durkee
realize that the sight Of Dicky and
his little artist friend together wa.
the cause OF my faint. But 20 have
her air her knowledge before hei
son and Dicky, IT was unthinkable
she turned the subject with sur
prising Guickness- while l sat trem
bling with the happiness OF restored
belief in my husband.
"Oh, but I'm crazy 70 see that Ia
on you. Mrs Graham" little Mrs
Durkee gurgled. What's the mat
ter?" as Dicky half-rOse 10 his fee
with a smothered exclamation.
We all followed the direction o.
IA. Into raefQ rrra~f hnf