Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-12-31

nant had been the pang when he calm
~ told her he was too busy to call. On
the other hand, wasn't she little in
trigucd with this strange correspond.
ent, who so ably interpreted hls-and
her soul In terms of art?
On the very day that Carlotta, with
mingled expectancy and misgivings.
had decided to yield TO Gustave's plea
that she meet him in "A little used room
OF the art museum, Carlotta met
friend who worked in the same build
ing where Mark had his office as claim
agent Tor the Interstate Trolley. And
across the white tiled table OF the
dairy lunch, Carlotta learned that
Mark, investigating some upstate claim
Tor damages, had fallen on an icy side
walk and broken collar bone or some
thing. The friend was annoyingly in
exact as to the extent of his injuries.
Consequently, Carlotta. seeking the
selected place of rendezvous, was
thinking rather more of Mark than of
Gustave. Then motionless figure in
the far corner of the room caused her
heart to skip skip or so. Slowly he
turned as she approached and she no
ticed first, that his arm was in sling
and second, that-that 1t wasn't Gus
tave-it was Mark
Mark !" she cried, and her voice was
glad. "Your arm-how is it.? And
how odd you should happen here!"
But Mark didn't smile. I'm ashamed
Of myself, dear" he began. ~ wanted
to show you that could develop the
artistic temperament. too. And also.
since you seemed to want second
love, | thought I'd better be 1t! But
now that it's over, wish had never
started It'll"
Carlotta, at first bewildered, was be-
ginning to see light. Yet she couldn't
really. believe yet. And If 1t was true,
why wasn't she furiously angry
"rhose letters" she said, shaking her
head. "You couldn't have written
those!"
But l did," he confessed. "Remem.
Der my telling you how busy vast
Well, I'd been sitting up nights at the
library till they shut the doors, crib
bling art stuff from the encyclopedias.
Then I'd go home and write 1t up. And
l apologize for any aspersions cast
upon art Gee, whiz! Anybody who
knows the least thing about it has my
profoundest respect-and then some
There's volumes on It'll"
Carlotta was trying to adjust her.
self to having the two men she fancied
| she loved melt into one. After all, per.
| haps it was the most satisfactory so.
| luton. you must have disguised your
handwriting" she said presently, won
dering how soon she could properly ex
tend forgiveness.
"I'll say sol" and Mark shook his
head sadly, as one who recalls bitter
moments. "Of course. when broke
my arm 1t was all off, and decided
I'd better call meeting and get |,
over with. ! don't blame you for think
ing 1t low-down trick"
MARK" said Carlotta gently, 81 die
you an injustice when gave you cred
1t for no creative genius. and please
ignore what said about your lack o.
temperament. As for whether 70,
really love me, why, when | think o.
how you hate letter-writing and ther
recall those letters-why. my dear, a.
proof Of love, swimming the Helles
| pont isn't in !"
"Carlotta!" cried Mark. do you
can I-may Ir
Carlotta cast quick glance arount
for any stray attendants or art pa
irons. "M-hm." she murmured.
And Mark. sweeping her into tn,
semi-circle Of his good left arm, place,
kiss squarely where It belonged.