The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-03-30
The Black-Haired
Girl in Red
By LAURA MONTGOMERY
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,

In past years when Irene had fin-
fshed q picture she had used to rush
downstairs and face her family eager
eyed, but as she grew older she had
learned to dread the laughter that
sometimes greeted her. Irene loved
color. Flaming tints, bizarre arrange
ments Of color combinations that no
one else had dared. fascinated her.
She had been submitting cover-designs
20 the magazines for years, but. as
her brothers gibingly informed her,
she had yet to make a single sale.
Her paints we're exceedingly costly,
for the colors she used we're Invariably
the most expensive.
IF you'd spend your allowance IN
your clothes instead Of paints you'd
look lot better" observed Fred, star
ing at the paint-stained frock and un-
tidy hair.
Irene looked from the startling pic
ture In her hand to her brothers
face. Don't you like 1t bitr' she
Inquired, a somewhat beaten express
sion creeping into her eyes.
Freds taunting air dropped from
him. This was the first time Irene
had ever looked as though sne thought
defeat a probability. "Ill 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 devoted even five hours
a day to your painting and the rest
to recreation, getting fresh viewpoints
and becoming rested. you would do a
lot better. think you have talent,
but l don't believe you'll ever In this
world make good the way you're rush.
ing at 1t. You have to be a bit all
around to get the best out of life, you
know"
"Then you don't think this goodT'
nervously she pushed back a wisp Of
curly black hair, and her hand left a
smear Of violet blue paint near her
left eye which failed 10 improve her
appearance.
Annoyed by her unkempt look and
trembling mouth, Fred scowled: mo,
II looks as though a crazy person had
created 1t. l suppose you are not go
Ing to honor us by attending the dance
at the Country clubf'
Irene stared down at her picture
and then rushed from the room. "No-
body cares" she wept when she had
reached her room. that was redolent Of
ancient paints.
Daisy tapped at the door and then
pushed It open. She carried cup Of
tea, and the very sight Of the frail blue
china and the tiny sandwiches re-
freshed Irene. "Say, Irene," remarked
the younger sister senslbly. drink this
and slip into an evening frock and
come with us. / believe Fred is right,
although he is such crab; II you go
about bit and eat properly you'd go
back to work feeling more fit"
Irene pushed back her hair second
time, and Daisy began to laugh as the
scarlet decorated the tired face. II am
too tired to dress" she began, but
her sister interrupted her.
Drink this tea and take your time
In dressing. We're not going until
half-past eight o'clock and you'll have
plenty Of time"
Fred stared as he saw Irene coming
down the wide black oak stairway.
She certainly looked like different
girl. Her tears had left no traces
save flush on either cheek that was
becoming. Her black hair was caught
up In curly knot on the top Of her
head and she had secured It with an
old carved black comb with a high
top. Her frock was an old one-Irene
wasted little time on shopping-but
It was vastly becoming, vivid red
chiffon that brought out the soft black
of her velvety eyes. Gee, sis, you
look like somebody now," declared
Fred. "You know how to dress your
self II you can't dress your impossible
slant-eyed maidens. You," he screwed
his eyes up as though inspecting a
picture, "lack something. though.
Haven't you black fan7'
Irene, refreshed by the delicious tea,
giggled. Nothing so banal; any one
would think Of black fan because
my eyes are dark. See!" and she
brought her left hand, which had been
behind her, out with flourish.
The huge feather fan of brilliant
blue gave touch Of the bizarre to her
costume that was exquisite. Fred
= hated to be effusive, but he really ad-
mired his sister at that moment. She
looked so tender and feminine, with
her cloudy, curly hair about her face.
''If you painted picture OF that stair
case with a pretty girl coming down
In that dress 1t might not be SO bad"
he said slowly.
All evening Fred's words fingered
In the girls mind. He seldom praised
his sisters, and his words gave her an
idea. If she stopped trying so earnest
ly for something different, If she paint
ed what she knew, she might achieve
something. She had been trying to
do Ideals that no one understood. and
no one had paused to try to unravel
her meaning In the impossible jumbles