Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1921-11-19
DARK-EYED SUSAN
Bv PAULINE BARNETT.


c. 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
AS Sue sat knitting on the veranda
of the fashionable hotel. the fayorite
winter resort of the wealthy, the ball
of pink yarn rolled off her lap and
down the veranda steps. With a cry
of dismay Sue rushed TO capture lit
would never do to have 1t soiled, for
the wrap was for Nora, and Nora was
so particular
Sue looked off at the distant tennis
court where her sister and some
friends were playing, and a little sigh
escaped her.
II do hope Nora finally lands that
young man. she thought. "She has
been angling for him all season. we
really ought not to be here at aii--its
SO very expensive-but Nora never
worries where the money comes from,
so / suppose I'll have to give up the
Idea Of some new dresses for myself.
Oh, dear I! / am so sick Of making over
cast-offs and trying to look present
able! But there, that's what must be
expected when one Is the homely elder
sister OF beauty"
But Sue was really not homely
girl at all--nor old, either, being barely
three years the senior Of the spoiled
and petted "baby sister, left In her
care when their mother died.
"The taller of those men is very
good-looking," Sue thought, as the four
from the courts sauntered toward the
hotel "but / like the other mans face
better. Nora said he was an artist
well, guess he won't waste look on
me-rm hardly sight for artistic
eyes.
"Td better 60 In" she decided. Il
must get out Noras things for to-
night"
She turned hastily to leave the porch
when, for the second time that day. the
truant ball of yarn slipped from her
grasp and rolled merrily down to the
green lawn. With sharp exclamation
Of dismay Sue started to the rescue,
but too late. The young man whom
she decided was the artist leaped for
ward and caught 1t up almost before
1t had time to touch the ground.
Several days later Cartwright way
laid Sue Just as she was leaving the
dining room-the last to go.
"Come for little walk" he begged.
"I feel so restless today. Do come and
help me tramp 1t off,"
She raised startled eyes to his, for
no one in the hotel had ever asked her
before.
"Tll co." she said, shut Wen have
to hurry off before Nora sees u.s." and
without any more ceremony the young
man grasped her hand and like truant
children, the two sped over the lawn
and on and on to a little hidden path
that led to the river, where, finally,
flushed and breathless, Sue sank down
upon the soft bank of moss at the
waters edge. Her color was glorious,
her hair, loosened, lay in damp tendrils
upon her forehead, and as she looked
up at him laughing, Rex Cartwright
was amazed to find that his companion
was very pretty girl.
Cartwright, wealthy, travelled, artis-
tic, set himself out to entertain the
girl, talking as only a man can talk
who has Known all the advantages that
money can give. And the girl listened
-fascinated-and then was drawn on
to talk of herself, and so Cartwright
learned for the first time that she
was Nora's sister. But no word Of
complaint did she utter. "She's a
BRICK" thought the man.
81 must go back" announced Sue,
as the dinner hour approached, ito
help Nora to dress"
"Will you allow me an artists priv
uegep asked Cartwright. as they
neared the house. Sue nodded.
"Well, young lady, you should wear
yellows or reds or rose shades In
your frocks. With your clear, dark
skin and dark eyes, those colors would
harmonize beautifully. And wear your
hair loose-just as 1t was this after
uoou. ~ is SucH pretty haii Suh-
ing. Sue flushed.
"You are not angry" he pleaded.
"You see, can't help being an artist"
"Oh, no." said the girl, quickly. II
never knew these things before. No
one was ever interested enough to tell
me. Indeed am not angry. shall
profit by your advice"
"Some day shall paint you as you
looked today" said Cartwright. "I'll
pose you with great bunch Of
'Black-eyed Susans in your arms.
VIII you be my model7" But Sue
shook her head shyly and sped away
her heart singing as she went.
Nora was already dressed and walt
ing for the dinner bell.
The meal had reached the second
course when Alan, looking toward the
door, paused, fork poised In the air,
with muttered exclamation.
Il say, Rex, will you look who's
herel What beautyw
Rex looked-and smiled, for straight
toward them came Sue, looking like q
radiant vision as she walked. Her
dainty yellow flock (that Nora had
discarded because the color was not