The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-09
TIE DAILY
sIFOR
The Girl In Red
\ LAURA REID MONTGOMERY

INipast years when Irene had fin.
Bhed q picture she had used to
s rush downstairs and. face her
4Rmily eager.eyed, but as she grew
polderS she had learned to dread the
laughter that sometimes greeted
her. Irene loved color. Flaming
tltts, bizarre arrangements Of color
4 combinations that no one efse had
dared, fascinated her. She had
II been submitting coyerdesIgns TO
N the magazines for years, but, as her
N brothers gihingly informed her, she
had yet to make single sale. Her
!. paints were exceedingly costly, for
the colorS she used were inynria.
bly, tho most expensive.
IF, you'd spend your allowance
on your clothes instead or paints
syou'd look lot better" observed
Fred, staring at the palnt.stained
Etrock and untIdy hair.
Irene looked from tile STARTLING
picture in her hand to her broth.
ers face: Don't you like It bit?"
J she inquired, somewhat beaten
expression creeping into her eyes.
Fred's haunting air dropped from
him. This was the first time Ireno
had ever looked as though sha
khought defeat a probability. "I'll
tell you, Irene" he began crisply
you are too one.sided. No one can
slave at one thing the way you do
and do the best work. II you de-
voted even five hours a day to your
painting and the rest to recreation
getting fresh viewpoints ana be
coming rested, you would do lot
DIETER. think you have talent, but
don't believe you'll ever In this
world make good the way you're
rushing at It. You have to be n
BIT all.around to get the best out
q llEe, You know"
4 sThen' you don't think this
epd?" nervously she pushed back
w!sp Of curly black hair, and her
hand left a smear Of violent blue
1 paint near her left eye which failed
20 improve her appearance.
Annoyed by her unkempt look and
trembling mouth. Fred scowled:
no, It looks us though a crazy per.
son had created It. | suppose you
are not going TO honor US by at.
tending the dance at the Country
ctub?"
Irene stared down at her picture
And then rushed from the room:
Nobody cares" she wept when'she
had reached her room, that was re.
dolent Of ancient paints.
Daisy tapped at the door and then
pushed It open. She carried a cup
o. tea, and the very sight of the
frail blue china and the tiny sand.
witches refreshed Irene. "Say,
Srene," remarked the younger sis.
Yer senslbly, drink this and slip
into an evening frock and como
with us. / believe Frod Is right,
although he is such u crab; II you
90 about a bit and eat properly
you'd go back to work feeling more
Irene pushed back her hair a sec.
y ond. time, and Daisy began to laugh
as the scarlet decorated the tired
face, II an too tired to dress-''
she began, but her sister interrupt
led her.
t9Eiuk. this tea and take your
Cline IN dressing. We're not going
until llalf,past O'Clock and you'll
have plenty Of time"
Fred stared rs he saw irene com
ing down the wide black oak stair.
way She certainly looked like a
different girl. Her tears had left
no traces save flush on either
cheek that was becoming. Her
black hair was caught up in a curly
knot on the top Of her head and she
had secured it with an old carved
black comb with high top. Her
\ frock was an old oue-1rene wasted
little time on shopping-but 1t was
vastly becoming, vivid red chiffon
That brought out the soft black OF
her yelvety eyes. Gee. sis, you
look like somebody now" declared
Fred. "You know how ID dress
yourself II you can't dress you
impossible slant.eyed maidens.
YOU he screwed his eyes up as
though inspecting II picture, lack