Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-26
The >E1errk4~.: >,7ear;
w ~ ROBERT " GtAMBER5 IL WI

\ENSTlO-N0 IN AA
SKI 1917
should like to show you some of my
studies" she ventured mo, not now.
am too vain to risk anything eX-
cept the kindest Of morning lights.
al
Il know they'r good" she said.
And, half Iaughingly: I'm beginning
to find out thatCyou're a rather Won
derful and formidable and oVerpow-
ering girl, Ruhannah."
You don't think SOL" she eXclaim--
ed, enchanted. DO you? Oh, dear!
Then l feel that I ought to show you
my pictures and set you right lmme-
diately--'' She sprang to her feet.
TIL get them; Ill be only NOM
ent-''
She was gone before he discovered
anything to say, leaving him to walk
up and down the deserted room ana
think about her as clearly as his
Somewhat dislocated thoughts per
mitted. until she returned with both
arms full of portfolios. NNHrds, and
panels.
smile, you may mortify my pride
and rebuke my vanity. [ deserve it;
1 need it: but Oh!-don't be too Sc
we're"
Are you serious?" he asked look
ing UP in astonishment from the first
astonishing drawing in color which
he held between his hands.
Serious? Of course" She met
his eyes anxiously, then her own be-
came incredul0us and the swift color
dyed her face.
DO you like my work?" she ask
ed in a fainter voice.
Like it," He continued to stare
at the bewildering grace and color OF
the work, turned to another and lift
ed it to the light:
whats this?" he demanded. &,
"a monotype."
You did it,"
"Y-yes."
He seemed unable to take his eyes
from it-from the exquisite figures
there in the sun on the bank of the
trimming river under an iris-tinted
April sky.
What do you call it, Rue?"
"BaroQue."
He continued to scrutinize it in
silence, then drewg another carton
prepared for oil from the sheaf on
the sofa.
over autumn woods, in a windy
sky. high-flying crows were butteted
and blown about. From the stark
trees a few phantom leaves chung,
fluttering, and the whole scene was
possessed by sinuous,. whirling forms
mere glimpses Of supple, exquts"ce
shapes tossing, curling, flowing
through the naked woodland. dell
cate finger caught at a dead leaa
here; there frail arms clutched at a
bending, wind-tossed bough; grey
sl<v and aghostIy forest were obsess-
ed bewitched by the winnoWlng,
driving torrent of airy, half seen
spirits.
THE Winds" he said mechanically.
He looked at another-a sketch
of. the Princess Naia. And some
how it made him think of vast skies
and endless plains and the tumuit
of surging men and rafting lances.
"a Cossack." he said, half to him.
self. 81 never before realized 1t: ,
And he laid it aside and turned to
II haven't brought anl life studies
or school drawings" she said. 81
thought I'd just show you the results
Of them and of-of whatever Is in
me"
''Im just beginning to understand
what is in you" he said.
Tell me-what is it?" she asked
aim @Teil t vou9''E He rose, stood blythe
window looking out. then turned TO
her: o, saod
with a short laugh. What have I
to say to a girl who can do--these-
after two years abroad"
Sheer happiness kept her silent
She had not dared hope for such APP
prevail Even now she dared not per-
nit herself to accept it.
81 have so much to say" she ven,
tured. land such an appalling amount
of work before 1 can learn to say
it,
your work is-stunning" he said
bluntly.
you don't think So" she exclaim-
Indeed l do! Look at what you
have done in two years. Yes, grant
all your aptitude and talents, Just
look what you've accomplished and
where you are! Look at YOU your
self, too-what a stunning, bewilder,,
ing sort of girl you've developed
intoi'
'Jim Nee1and!"
certainly, Jim Neeland, of Nee
lands Mills, who has had years more
study than you have, more years OF
advantage and who now is an illus
traitor without anything in particular