The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-13

| weekend Trip waiter Is attracted
| to a very beautiful blonde, Helen
| RalStrom, whom he finally arranges
| to have pose for him at his studio
| Claire Gordon tells Doreen that if
| her husband were an artist she
| would be jealous of his models.
Chapter Z.
Walter bought a roadster, a dear
little dark blue car, and was delight
| ed with it.
wen have such nice times riding
about the country" 1 exclaimed en-
Enthusiastically and he agreed.
I had admired his taste in selecting
the car. the quiet, rich color, and the
upholstering of a soft dark gray
serviceabte as well as pretty. But ]
laughingly added:
"One would expect an artist to Sc
lect harmonizing colors," and thought
no more about it.
Then I called at the studio. Walter
| had stepped out for a moment and
Helen Ralstrom was looking at a. mag
azine, still draped in some soft mater
ial in which she was posing.
I spoke pleasantly. and she said:
How did you like my selection,
Mrs. Pager"
Your Selection? L am afraid I do
not only by her words, but her ex-
preston.
Hasn't Walter told you?' 1t was
Helen and Walter already. I had
L1OQSnL II a lIaIll1llarlIy, ana spoken
of it, but Walter had laughed at me
and said he couldn't take time to be
formal with his models.
please explain 1 returned.
why, selected the roadsteri He
favored a dark maroon, but as ex-
pect to ride in it frequently I decided
on dark blue. 1t is more becoming to
blondes, you know
Her impudent assurance made me
dumb. 1 couldn't say a word She
had selected the roadster, had chosen
blue car because she was blonde and
found blue becoming.
You look surprised. Mrs. Page
But often a model has good taste and
Walter says I am very artistic.'' She
added just as he came in.
Hello, Doreen!" he said. "I see
you and Miss Ralstrom have been get
ting acquainted. Come and look at
it, And Conner says it's the best
thing I have done. He was in yes.
terday:''
Walter thought a great deal of
one of the best art critics in town. and
a painter of distinction himself
looked at the picture for time
without speaking. Then I said:
1T is a wonderful piece of work,
Walter, but it seems to me you have
idealized Miss Ralstrom.''
You mean I am not so lovely as
the picture?" Her voice was acid.
MOI exactly Inat, replied, put
he has given your face a quality l
cannot discern, a spiritual quality. But
it is a lovely thing, and 1 don't won
der Mr.. Conner praised it, I had
seen a frown on Walters face. He
hated to have me criticise adversely
anything he did invariably reminding
me I was not artistic, that I had no
ina ination-which was true.
Miss Ra1strom, too, looked dis
pleased. She laughed sneeringly as
she said:-
$50 I'm not as spiritual looking as
the picture?. Perhaps Walter knows
me better than you do; he may see
have a soul il you cannot"
Walter changed the subject and l
remained but a few moments longer.
Feeling the atmosphere grown tense,
my own spirits depressed because of
what Helen had told me-that she |
had selected the car.
Why had Walter failed to mention |
it when I praised the color? / Won
dered if 1t were pride that made him |
wish me to think it was his own Sc
lection; his own good taste. or had he |
known would resent his taking |
Helen Ralstrom with him instead of
me, his wife
But I would not let the fact she |
had selected the color of the car spoil |
my pleasure in riding in it. She |
should not have that satisfaction.
(To be continued.)