Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-09-09
@
Pink Waist
D. MILDRED WHITE



plate glass window. At night she had
even dreamed OF the waist. or rather
dreamed Of herself an enchanting and
transformed Dora. a.tting about In
some beautiful place. that same pink
waist adjoining her own small person.
But the dream had been rudely shat
tered by the announcement Of her per-
sistent and newly bought alarm clock
that II was time to be up and do
Ing"
Strange faces looked now through
that window. strange voices sounded
In the house. since the familiar ones
were forever silenced. But Dora arose
bravely at the summons Of the alarm
clock. and was soon after on her way
ofiiceward, down a busy city street.
The pink waist Haunting its charms
was the first disturber Of Dora's peace.
She wanted that waist. unreasonably.
insistently she wanted IL. Her neat
black costume was tiresomely oppres-
sive.
Ten dollars was the price marked
on the waist. and as far as Dora was
concerned three more ciphers might
have been added. She wondered II
she could not make the waist In
sense her own. by painting II into
one Of her sketches A girl standing
by a tall, nk-blooming hollyhock. for
instance-the girls cheeks as softly
pink as the waists bit Of pink cloud
showing In the distance.
II was Dora's inexpsrience In the
business world which made the pink
waist thing Of impossIbility. Back
again In the bare little room. high
above the surrounding roofs. Dora JOY
ously drew forth brush and colors;
she must paint the pink-walst girl be-
fore her vision should vanish.
The old wooden wardrobe was filed
with Dora's sketches. She seldom
showed them to anyone; they were
to her a mere relaxation. But now
a desire possessed her to share with
some one the beauty OF the pInk-waist
girl. Mrs. 0Drien, the landlady. was
very kind; Dora took the sketch to
her.
MY deaie" exclaimed that wom-
an. raising her hands. Its the won
derful talent you have. Why don't you
take the picture around to the Gift
Shoppe as they spell ton the cor
neri Many paintings not half as good
as yours I've seen for sale there, with
. sign over 'em. Original Studies.'"
do You really think" began Dora,
but Mrs. O'Brien was carefully wrap
ping the picture. ttf
"You run around with II right now"
she said.
When Dora came back the blue eyes
were wide with awe.
''The picture 10 In the window" she
told Mrs. O'Brien, "and II II sells
am TO have ten dollars"
"And how much are they TO haver
shrewdly asked the landlady.
Dora laughed. "why. Of course. II
won't SELL" she said-but II did.
Dora, noting the absence Of her
painting from the window after Its
third day OF proud exhibition, hesi-
tated for a moment In the shop door
way, hoping. yet fearing. to enter.
This gentleman" said madame Of
the shop, briskly, has Just bought
your pink study You have dropped
In OPPORTUNITY; he was requesting
your address"
The unbelievable purchaser Of her
work turned, hat In hand. Dora
stared speechlessly from his interest
ed. fine face, down to her framed pic
ture.
"You-really wanted it," she asked
at length.
more than I have wanted anything
for a long time" the man replied.
"The purity of the girls face, the
soft blending Of color-this Is won
derful sketch. Miss"
He examined the painted name
across a corner Of the canvas-''Theo-
dora Trenton"
He glanced up at her sharply.
"Have you done much OF this sort Of
thingr
"A wardrobe full" laughed Dora.
the reality Of II all was coming back
to her.
Strange" murmured the man; "thls
Is the first Of your work that I have
seen. II has an originality, a certain
delicate skill I should have remem-
bered. Who is your INSTRUCTOR
II was obliged long ago to give up
my studies" Dora said sadly. Then.
before his sympathetic gaze she began
suddenly to tell him about the home
that was no more-the necessity for
work which forced one 10 put dreams
and aspirations aside. the advice OF
Mrs. O'Brien. and-the delectable pink
waist In the window.
And as the man listened he smiled.
and his keen eyes grew very kind. "You
may have seen the name Stacy across
drawings In the magazines" he said.
swell, am Jack Stacy. and I hope
that II may be my privilege to help
you make those aspirations come
true" Impulsively. he drew q card
from his pocket.
IF you will come TO my studio tea.
at that address. tomorrow" he said.
I'VE can talk things over"
SO Dora's dreams. as wen as her
aspirations. came true. and all because
Of the waist IN the window, for she
wore II to the studio tea. q happily