The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-27

| he said, courteously; what Is your errand in Corinth?'
 T am an artist" she said, look ing at him with her mysterious in- an art student I've been told that there are beautiful bits of winter scenery available for subjects here, and l want to sketch. Please, Mir. Adams, let me stay here until Lefty comes"
 A sudden twinkle in her eye start led the old man, and he said quick ly. How do you know she isn't com ing?"
 That, in turn, surprised Anita, but she only smiled, and replied T saw telegram handed to Mrs. Adams at breakfast-and then she looked thoughtfully at me, and--oh, well, ] just sort of knew 1t was to say Lefty couldn't come"
 You witch! You uncanny thing! If l should take you over to Salem,
 "1n ride over on a broor.stick some day, and see if they will" she returned gleefully.
 And then along came Nemesis, in the person of the landlady.
 I'm sorry Miss Austin" she be- gan, but the girl interrupted her
 Please, Mrs. Adams" she said. pleadingly don't say anything to make me sorry, too! Now, you want to say you haven't any room for me but that isn't true; so you don't know what to say to get rid of me. But-why do you want to get rid of me?"
 Esther Adams looked at the girl and that look was her undoing.
 Such pathetic face, such pleading eyes, such a wistful curved mouth, the landlady couldn't resist, and against her will, against her better Judgment, she said Well, then, stay. you poor little thing. But you must tell me more about your self l don't know who you are"
 T don't know, myself" the strange girl returned. Do we, any of us. know who we are? We go through this world, strangers to each other don't we? And also, strangers to our selves" Her eyes took on a faraway mystical look If I find out who I am. I'll let you know"
 Then a dazzling smile broke over her face, they heard a musical rip pie of laughter, and she was gone upstairs to her room, and the two Adamses looked at each other.
 'Daffy," said Mrs. Adams "A lit tie touched, poor child. believe she has run away from home or from her keepers. We'll hear the - uti sooh' 1hey Il De looklng Tor
 Perhaps" said her husband. doubtfully But that isn't the way l size her up. She's nobodys fool that girl. Wish you'd seen her give Bob Tyler his comcuppaneer
 'Whatd she say2"
 'Twasn't what she said, so much as the look she gave himl He al most went through the floor Well, she says she's a painter of scenery and landscapes. Let her stay a few days till l size her up.'
 You size her up" returned his wife, with good-natured contempt. If she smiles on you or gives you a bit of taffy talk, you'll size her up for an angel I'm not so sure she isn't quite the oppositen'
 Meanwhile the subject of their discussion was arraying herself for walk. Equipped with storm boots and fur coat, she set out to inspect Corinth. jaunty fur cap, with one long, red quill feather, gave her still more the appearance of an elf or gnome, and many of the Adams house boarders watched the little figure as she set forth to brave the icy streets.
 Apparently she had no fixed plan of procedure, for at each corner she looked about and chose her course at random. The snow had ceased during the night, and 1t was very cold, with clear sunshiny frosti- ness in the air that made the olive cheeks red and glowing.
 Reaching bridge, she paused and stood looking over the slight railing into the frozen ravine below.
 Long she stood, until passers-by began to stare at her. She was un- aware of this, absorbed in her thoughts and oblivious of all aboul her.
 Pinckney Payne, coming along,