Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-02-11
PAINT
BY VIRGINIA BAKER.


tel 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper SyndicateD
They were just ut that stage in the
affair when other people were say
ing: "When do you suppose they'll
announce it?' and they were saying to
each other all sorts of sweet unrepeat-
able things.
But, between you and me, what he
said was really quite conservative, for
he was Scotch. added to this native
circumspectness was an undemonStra-
tiveness fostered by a mother who
came from old New England stock. So,
because he inherited conscience and
old-fashioned ideas, one Of the things
he had to whisper to his girl was:
"Philble, dear, wish you wouldn't
put 50 much Of that red stuff IN your
lips and cheeks. You really don't need
it, you know"
This was just a mild protest. But,
ms Philbie had no Scotch or Puritan
blood in her veins, rather quite spr-
tied mixture of Irish and French. she
replied with a mischevOus toss of her
bobhed brown curls: How do you
know? Do you know If you've ever
seen me without it?'
We'll really now, as you put It that
way, l couldn't exactly say" Angus
Sidled down, rather embarrassed, be-
cause he had only seen Philbie II and
a half times. The half was when he
had first met her-in the paint and
varnish department of the Armstrong
Hardware company, where Angus was
clerk. Phllbie had given him quite a
large order for white and green and
black and red paint She and her
mother were fixing up the little house
they had bought with part of dear
papa's insurance money. They had
never had real home before because
they had travelled around with papa,
who had been an animal trainer with
Buys Sinko circus,
It was this environment which was
responsible for Philherta's pernlcious
practice of rouging.
Then, as lovers always do at least
once, they quarreled. He even went
81 far as to say that he didn't want
to kiss her any more If she smeared
that stuff on, because his lips never
touched hers-they just tasted that
paint.
At first Philbie was furious. 1T
guess you'll never get the chance
again, after that" she flung at him.
IL 1t,
But the animal training instinct, which
she had inherited from her father,
made Phtlble stop him when his hand
was on the knob Of the screen door.
Angus she said, 81 won't put It
on any more" And she meant It. be-
cause she saw the truth In his brutal
speech. She wanted him to kiss her
now. quick
He turned and saw her there rub
hing furiously at her lips with a bit
was Scotch he did not gather her In
his arms and cover the red on the
handkerchief as well as her lips with
penitenr kisses, as a movie lover would
have done. Oh, no. Becase he was
Scotch, he said: you will promise
me, Philherta. never to use or have
in your possession again this disgust
ing red ointment
Philbie meekly promised, YES" be-
cause just then he kissed her.
Philble was very busy finishing the
dressing up of the little house, be-
red letter day, ten Of her best girl
friends were coming to a tea party.
And then one day, a week before
the date set for the party. Angus
called In the morning when Philbie
was not expecting him. His call was
very informal.
He almost had her in his arms, and
bent down-but he did not kiss her,
He had seen her face. There was a
red blotch on each cheek.
He stared at her so long that Phil
bic asked in a troubled voice: $50
early In the morning! What do you
want?"
Nothing, now" Angus cut off the
words with cold finality. Then, as an
after-regret and with deep reproach
in his voice: You said you wouldn't
put it on again."
What" asked Philberta. And be-
cause she looked at the can in front
of her she put both hands to her
cheeks. Thereupon she began to laugh
an ever increasing crescendO of CUR
giles and trills. Finally, she struck her
already slightly discolored finger into
the can before her. and with 1t she
touched each Of Angus cheeks.
That outraged gentleman had stood
in motionless amaZement at her
mirth, but now he cautiously put up
one of his own fingers to his cheek.
1t felt wet and rather sticky. He
looked at his finger, smelled of the
red smooch and then he, too, began
to laugh, When a Scotchman finally
does see joke on himself he can
APPRECIATE II