South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-09-15
Revelations "A Vile soAAsSsEs!oiu

wonder sometimes if the tram
mels of civilization are a blessing or
a curse.
If l could have followed my prim-
tive instincts upon hearing Dickys
apology TO Edith Fairfax Cor not
having selected her favorite flowers
in the corsage bouquets he had
brought for the welcome-home din
ner TO Alfred and Leila, 1 would
have sprung forward, torn from
their hands the box they were ty-
ing, and scattered the lovely bios
SONS upon the floor Of the florist S
shop. And in so doing 1 would have
given vent 10 the jealous poison.
which, instead. 1 was compelled 10
bottle up within myself while smil-
ing amiably at my husband and the
girl beside him.
And yet, in the portion of my
brain that always remains sane and
balances me when I am threatened
with hysterical anger, l knew that
Dicly really meant nothing by what
he had said TO Edith 1t is simply
part of the royalty courteous, almost
caressing manner which he adopts
toward every woman, especially II
she measure at all toward his rather
fastidious standard of beauty. And.
unlike many men. Dicky has kept
that courteous, caressing manner to
me as weli-excepting, Of course,
when he is angry or annoyed
The soft-voiceG proprietor saved
the day for me by coming forward
with the roses he had been clipping.
They made a wonderful fragrant
rlass of color, and l saw Dicky's
eyes leap with the artists love OF
things beautiful as he saw them.
Then he glanced around the shop
quickly and speculatively. then at
Edith and me- I knew the look, the
plan for some illustration which had
capped into his mind. The little
proprietor came up TO Edith with
the roses.
"Are these all right?" he asked.
the expectation of an enthusiastic
answer already in his face. He
knew the value Of his roses.
stand just as you are a min
ute." Dicky commanded. "Madge,
come over nearer Edith. That's
right Now, Edith, hold out your
arms"
She obeyed. and he lifted the roses
with infinite care from the astonish-
ed florists hands. and placed them
in Edith arms. As he did so the
girls color famed. and 1 caught my
breath at the picture she made. She
has always been a decidedly pretty
girl In that moment she achieved
beauty.
Turn toward Mrs. Graham!"
Dicky shot the command at the for
ist. and the man obeyed with the
look Of one trying TO deal tactfully
with some one suddenly gone mad.
Now bow and spread your hands.
That's right. Hold that just a min
ute. Madge. try TO look as If YOU
were Edith's elder sister. or guard
ian angel o. bosom friend or some
thing-approving and admiring. you
know. Don't any OF you move until
l tell you to-"
He whipped out a pencil and
EOlllE UaEtA II NiAA 4AAc lONhtAf Caught
up a piece Of wood from the corner
Of the shop. and. using it as
sketching block. began drawing with
the swift. sure strokes I had watch
ed so often. We all stood motion
less for FIVE minutes Then he gave
a final searching look at US and put
the paper in his pocket.
"And that's that" ne said listless-
~. Thanks awfully" He always
seems mentally and physically ex-
hausted when he has finished a stunt
OF this intensive sort. I've got the
general outlines, I can fill in you
girls later. Edith, don't lose that
hat and gown. for I'll want some
poses from you. Come on. let's go"
With impaticnce in every line Of
him he stood while the florist was
wrapping up the roses. and when he
had finished. grasped them eagerly