Evening star., 1923-12-02

Its violet. wales Of mists, its teasing
sunshine on gray streets, its lur1ng
vistas. it's little parks of sparkling
greenland he in the midst of 1t,
painting all day, dancing all night.
wasting himself as all young things
do. certain that in the end his talent
| would carry him through. And he
| had talent! Even now he was sure
| OF that. How had he lost his faith
| In the magic of his hands? He looked
! down at them musingly. They were
| the same hands that had made the
sketches that had won his masters
! praises, his high approving word
| And again he felt in them the same
| tremor Of excitement that had thrill
ed him when he handled the long un-
touched tubes Of paint last night.
What If he should get out his pal.
cite and set 1t, stretch a bit of can
vas and seek again that old dis.
oarded magic? This room. now
arched, glowing: these figures, anus
ing modern types, all of them
Martha, in her provocative scarlet
| orange, to dominate and accent then
all.
'Ill be getting painters collie next,
! he tried to laugh at himself. But the
temptation stayed. Why not try it
A man had>a right to lay with hi:
chosen toys.
He had almost forgotten to watch
for Martha. but suddenly she was
standing beside him.
Its the last dance she said
Sorry to disturb your slumbers.'
You didn't disturb my slumbers-
only my dreams" he said.
After the dance. as they came out
on the veranda, Gus Kramer stopped
them.
I'm sure you're too tired to walk
he said to Martha. ignoring Alec. Il
can run Marie around home and be
right back after you. Please wait
NO" said Martha; I'D rather walk
with Alec"
IF you're tired I'll get the village
taxi" Alec offered, as Gus and Marie
turned away toward his car.
"Tired-nonsense I'm all keyed ur
for the approaching scene at home
There was a light in the parlor OF
the Cleburne house.
THE lions are in there. waiting te
be fed" said Martha. wait on the
| side porch
Make it snappy," he whispered.
She Strengthened herself and walk
ed in the half-opened door. Lowder
stopped in the hall, a shameless caves.
| dropper.
Before you begin. either OF you
he heard -Martha's crisp tones, "you
may as we'll listen to me. I've found
out a lot of things tonight I've
found out that don't need to drudge
and carry the burden I've been car
rying. I've found out that / can
dance and have a good time like other
girls, little better than most of
them. And so, from this time on, I
intend to do 1t. If you want to play
fair and give me my share. all right.
If you don't, I'll take it anyway. But
I'm going to share a few things. For
instance, you, mother. after this, will
make the dinner desserts. You're a
wonderful cook, and you may as well
help. And you, Marie. will take over
the third floor sweeping, busting bed
making. scrubbing the bath-every-
thing that I've been doing on both
floors, up until now: and I'll see to it
that you do 1t right. II you don't
you lose Gus. You saw him tonight.
Do you want him, or not?'
Inarticulate moses of fury indi-
Gated that Marie wanted Gus.
We'll, then, look out. And thanks
very much for your white dress.
This is it-dyed. The color doesn't
suit you, so I'll keep it. Good night.
A LEG fed silently to the side porch
"A She found him there a moment
later. ,
"That was my second bright idea
she told him. "Oh, you were right
Alec: wasn't seeing true. And some
thing else is right, though I'd never
dreamed 1t could be. Namely, the
copybook."
'The copybook!"
"Yes. the copybook. Don't you re-
member how we used to write: Life
is what we make it. / always dis
trusted that sentiment. But it's true
to the extent Of our own capacity
that is"
There was a lnalting silence. Alec
lit a cigarette.
What was your other idea-the
first one7" he asked curiously.
"Oh that. Why, meant to vamp
Gus and snatch him away from,
Marley 1t was easier than expected
Only"
"Only-'
"Only 1 don't want him. I don't
want a man who can be caught by
red frock and smear of paint Too
cheap. I wouldn't have him for q
git"
There aren't any men around here
who are at for you. Martha" Alec
spoke the words sincerely, honestly
He became aware Of tingling
electric silence.
"Oh L. don't know"
drawled Martha, with uttermos'
meaning, Then she. jumped up and
vanished in the house. He heard hel
running upstairs, the distant slam Of
Iher door,