The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-01-07

Noodle skill And the feet-eyen for
the size OF the statue they seemed
large Instinctiveiy Helen glanced at
her own russell shoes.
But she liked the way Venus wore
her hair, and promptly decided to try
arranging her own that way Only
her hair was not wavy, possibly it
would not look so well.
Those are not exactly the thoughts
that are supposed to thrill one when
they gaze at Venus de Milo, but this
is precisely what Helen thought, and
what probably nine women out OF ten
do think, although they would strenu-
ously deny It.
For the next half hour Helen wan
dered through aisles of ancient sculp-
ture. There were statues in all forms
OF mutilation. headless, armless and
iegless. OF some only the torso re-
manned and there were many detached
arms, legs and hands No doubt they
were all very fine, but Helen thought
them rather gruesome.
Help.
She had now given almost two hours
to pictures and statuary and with
sense of duty fulfilled, she was eager
to look up the one exhibition in which
she had real and genuine interest,"
the antique furniture.
From the guide book she cleaned
that the furniture was in another wing
Of the building. But which wing?
And how could she reach it? Uncer-
tainIy she approached a guide, but
he could not understand a word of
English, and his French was both fast
and unintelligible.
Perhaps I can help you? I was
just going to look UP that furniture"
Helen turned quickly. The voice
was American and so was the tall,
well groomed man, with the unmistak-
able air Of New Yorker about him.
''Oh, thank YOU flushing self con-
sciously. Its hopeless trying to find
things here if you don't spenk the
language"
Yes, it is little awkward There
is no excuse for their not having Eng
1ish speaking guides. Now, think we
will find this the shortest cut to the
other wing
When they reached the furniture,
Helen started to thank him and pass
on alone But in the most natural and
| matter-of fact way he called her at
! tention to a Louis XIV desk by the
window.
that's one Of the best pieces in the
collection
He drew from his pocket the
museums catalog in French. found
the number of the desk and trans
lated the notes about it.
Before Helen realized 1t she was
viewing this collection with this
stranger. and enjoying every moment
of it. He seemed thoroughly familiar
with every period of French furniture
and they fingered there almost an
| hour
There are some Gobe1fn tapestries
| in the main wing that I should like to
show you,' he suggested. when they
had exhausted this gallery.
From the tapestries he took her
| through the ceramics and from there
through the bronzes.
I'm afraid you're tired he turned
to her suddenly with a note of con-
Germ. These galleries are very ex-
hausting. I think there's a lunchroom
in one of the wings here-if I may
suggest
''oh, non, no." hastily. "I must go
back to the hotel for luncheon. I had
no idea 1t was so late. have enjoyed
it so much-and you've been so kind
Most fthe enjoyment has been
mine" gravely.
He took her to the main entrance
and motioned to one Of the waiting
cabs.
What address shall I give the
driver?" as he helped her in.
Hotel Ronceray,' flushed Helen.
why, that's where I stopped last
year." the note of pleasure in his
voice was unmistakable. "and where
still dine very often. shall hope to
| be fortunate enough to see you there
some evening" and he stood back with
raised hat as the taxi moved Off
! With her thoughts in a turmoil,
! Helen gazed unseeingly out the win
dow as she was whirled back to the
/ hotel. Mingled with an almost guilty
self Consciousness there was a sense OF
| exhilaration that every woman feels
when she is unexpectedly made to re-
alize that she is still young and at
| tractive.
| It was not Until she went to pay the
| cabman and found a brass check in
i her pocketbook that Helen remember
ed she had left her parasol at the side
| entrance OF the Louvre. She had not
| intended to take a cab, nor even to
| come back to the hotel until evening.
! yet these things seemed minor de-
| tails now.
| It had been so long since Helen
/ had had anything to flutter over that
| she could hardly be blamed for flutter-
! ing just a little over this.