The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-28
THE, DAILY
SHORT STORY
Studio Days
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
(Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure

ing the delicate portraits head. A
Eiotous little air fell from time to time
from his lips, but It's measure became
gradually suhdued while the soft veil
Of twilight captured the artists soul
and babe him express his Joy in more
quiet manner
A sunny smile lurked in Vests
eyes; the gold OF his hair was DUN
pied and his smock shockingly dirty,
but little did he care since the studio
Tentwas paid for the following month.
Also the canvas on his easel would
easily insure another six months liY-
Ing.
And outside his door stood girl
whose eyes held all the wistfulress in
the world and whose heart was absorb.
ing every note Of that magic, happy
lit that fell from Vests lips. Finally
she Knocked.
West was not prepared for visitor,
and such one as he found on the
landing was a challenge to the most
sturdy of heart beats.
"May / come in?"N
Absurd waste of words" West said,
and with the little courtly bow that
was q part Of the man he watched his
visitor cross the threshold.
The Wistfulness vanished swiftly
and tremendous gladness that took
the form Of glistening tears stood in
the girls eyes. She fled to the small
window that held the glow of the set
ting sun and stood silently for mo-
ment Then West saw her brush q
hand across her eyes before she turn.
ed again to him.
"You are not to think me mad" she
said TREMENDOUSLY. For three long
years | have hungered to be in this
studio again, and now-now my hearts
humping like a bird gone mad-iust
because / am here" She laughed soft
~ with so much Of glad emotion that
West found the world an even more
wonderful place to dwell in.
He started to prepare tea on the i'm
pFovised tea cart beside his easel, but
the girl slipped quickly over.
n want to make the tea" she in.
sisted. "see! / have brought some Gin.
namon sticks from the same old corner
bakery that was there three years
ago, somehow felt would be allow.
edto stay for tea-if came in"
Her eyes were so adorable with their
neWfound happiness that West said
frankly, II would have dragged you in
had known you were out on that land.
ing-so make yourself perfectly at
home"
The girl threw her great moleskin
cape on the dusty arm chair Just as
carelessly as In the old days she had
tossed of her threadbare tweed coat.
Her gown was dream and her small
toque brilliant hued affair with an
absurd something wabbling uncertain
II over the edge. Altogether she was
as chic as any wonderful poster. She
pulled of the toque and with swift
gesture rumpled the conventional,
smooth couture into a bewildering
head Of FURNISHED copper.
"You have utterly no regard for
poor bachelors heart, have you?" West
inquired. There was warm, boyish ad.
Tniration in his glance. "But will try
to remember that you are just little
wrath that has blown into my Bohe-
mia for cup OF tea"
"The little wrath would very much
IKE smock-if you have second
one" she laughed back at him.
ut would take four of you to I'LL it
up" he said after q successful rum
mage.
They both laughed like children at
the result and for the first time in
three years a happy Tilt Of song fell
from Gretchen's lips.
ooh yes-my nam els Gretchen Nc
Wicker" she told him by way OF tardy
Introduction. II saw yours on the door
as came up the creeky stairs. used
always to think those stairs would
cave In. They are just as frail as ever,
but ] loved every creek they gave out
for me-"
She was exploring all the while she
talked and it was not long before a
dainty tea was ready and they sank on
opposite sides of the quaint cart West
had fashioned. They were both Bo-
hemian enough TO enjoy the rare un.
conventionality Of the moment with
out any strain.
How long have you been in the stu
dto?" Gretchen asked between MUNICH
es Of cinnamon cake.
"l'ye managed to pay the rest here
for three years" he told her.
a0h! You came in just as ! left,
then. was here for the two happiest
years have ever had" Gretchen said,
and the usefulness clouded her eyes,
/ used to sing just as you were sing.
ing Vhen came up. OF course. new
er expected to set the world on fire
through my art, but somehow made
9 scant living-scant as to money, but
byernowing with joy. did not al.
ways have enough money to buy Gin
namon cakes" she laughed, but her
lips were tremulous.
And then" urged West.
Then married. After that it didn't
seem as II life held thing for me.
There we're no quaint Bohemians
stTolling in and out Of my studio, no
much.needed checks coming to me
ffon inspired drawings and, worst oil
ell, there was no freedom of thought
q action. My husband gave me a
gorgeous limousine for my last birth
day, but 1t didn't bring even one atom
of the Joy that my first hard-earned
check gave me. ] have everything on
earth that money can buy"
But why didn't you keep up your
agt Work-your Bohemian friends
wouldn't that have helped to make you
happyg' West was kindly sympa.
tlietlc, hut there was beginning a great
SttSloi SytFhin hin, ~ fry IN haan tint,