Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-06-26

Hill IudL he muSI WoAI uAIAA aAOtuCI
day before finishing the delicate por-
traits head. A riotous little air fell
from time to time from his lips, but its
measure became gradually subdued
while the soft veil Of twilight cap
tured the artists soul and babe him
express his Joy in more quiet man
ner.
A sunny smile lurked In Vests
eyes; the gold of his hair was rumpled
and his smock shockingly dirty, but
little did he care since the studio rent
was paid for the following month.
Also the canvas on his easel would
easily insure another six months liv-
Ing.
And outside his door stood a girl
whose eyes held all the usefulness in
the world and whose heart was alb
sorbing every note Of that magic,
happy lit that fell from Vests lips.
Finally she knocked.
West was not prepared for visitor,
and such a one as he found on the
landing was a challenge to the most
sturdy of heartbeats.
''May I come int"
absurd waste of words" West said,
and with the little courtly bow that
was a part of the man he watched his
visitor cross the threshold.
The usefulness vanished swiftly and
u tremendous gladness that took the
form of glistening tears stood in the
girls eyes. She fed to the small win
dow that held the glow of the setting
sun and stood silently for moment.
Then West saw her brush hand
lacross her eyes before she turned
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 bird gone mad
Just because I am here" She
laughed softly 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
provised tea cart beside his easel, but
the girl slipped quickly over.
II want to make the tea," she in
sisted. "See! have brought some
corner bakery that was there three
years ago. I somehow felt would be
allowed to stay for tea-if came in"
Her eyes were so adorable with
their new-found happiness that West
said frankly, II would have dragged
you in had I known you were out on
that landing-so make yourself per-
fectly at home"
The girl threw her great moleskin
cape on the dusty armchair just as
carelessly as in the old days she had
tossed off her threadbare tweed coat.
Her gown was a dream and her small
tOque q brilliant-hued affair with an
absurd something wabbling uncertain
'ly over the edge Although she was
las chic as any wonderful poster, she
pulled off the toque and with a swift
gesture rumpled the conventional,
smooth couture into a bewildering
head Of FURNISHED copper.
"You have utterly no regard for a
poor bachelors heart, have you?" West
inquired. There was warm, boyish ad-
miration in his glance. "But I will
try to remember that you are just a
little wrath that has blown into my
Bohemia for cup of tea"
1.-THE little wrath would very much
like a smock-if you have a second
one" she laughed back at him.
'It would take four of you to fill it
up," he said after a 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.
"Oh, yes-my name is Gretchen Nc
+ Wicker" she told him by way of tardy
introduction. II saw yours on the
door as came up the creaky stairs.
used always to think those stairs
would cave in. They are just as frail
las ever but I loved every creak 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
Bohemian enough to enjoy the rare
unconventionality of the moment with
Iout any strain.
"How long have you been in this
tstudio?" Gretchen asked between
munches Of cinnamon cake.
1--WE managed to pay the rent here
for three years." he told her.
"Oh! You came in just as I left,
then. I was here for the two hap
piest years have ever had" Gretchen
said, and the usefulness clouded her
eyes. II used to sing just as you were
singing when came up. Of course,
never expected to set the world on fire
through my art, but somehow I made
a scant living-scant as to money, but
Overlooking with joy. did not always
have enough money to buy cinnamon
cakes" she laughed, but her lips were
tremulous.