The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Chapter XIII //TT are you getting on with Se your big order?' questioned AA Jovoo a little later as she

<<EEOW are you getting on with | Se your big order?' questioned Joyce, a little later as she busied herself with her paints and brushes.
 "All right" replied Avril airily al- though her heart was going pltlpat lest Joyce should want to see her drawings. Never before had she felt any restraint in regard to showing Joyce her work or even in talking about it. i've turned | in a number of the drawings and as | I've plenty of time to finish the others Pm going to sew for a bit this alter noon" She went to her room and soon returned with her sewing.
 "Oh, I'm so glad to know that, said Joyce kindly. You see I've had 10 be out so much of late that I've hardly had time to attend to my own affalrs' let alone those of any one else.
 "You're really going to work on your portrait now?" queried Avril eagerly.
 q certainly am; so for the present shall have to say goodbye to the soclai end"
 That's great. I want to see some ot your work in the spring exhibitions.
 'eYou seem more interested in my ca reer than I am." was Joyce's comment.
 "Of course I am. Don't you know I've been quite grieved with you Of late To think of your wasting so much time with people who aren't half good enough for you," said Avril in rising tones.
 "You must have a fine opinion Of my friends" replied Joyce.
 "Now Joyce, you know as well as I do that I'm awfully fond of some of +linl tbpVrn SnIpn0ld. There's Robert Barton, for instance. :.
 "He's no friend of mine," interrupted Joyce. u, ,.,u Loon ly interested in your work.
 q don't believe it." answered Joyce.
 "I can prove it," said Avril mischieV- ously. and for a minute Joyce wondered Ii
 Robert and Avril were friendly: Then at A venture she continued, When did you see him last?"
 "Just the other day" answered Avril
 with her eyes riveted on her sewing: II.
 T hope you enjoy his friendship,
 said Joyce rather bitterly-suddenly she
 remembered about the flowers she had
 seen in the studio.
 With that Avril flung aside her sew ing and laughed merrlIN. OH ooSNo' she said. "now don't get mad. l know you care for him and he cares a whole lot for you. When I saw him the other day he looked as though he'd lost his fortune but you should have seen the change when I told him you were still fancy free.' "Oh Avril," declared Joyce, "yqu're awful You know I don't care bit ohout him now, I know the type Of girl that suits him" "Then you've seen him lately?' ques- toned Avril with interest. He was at the Penningtons dance with some silly little French girl. re- piled Joyce, sharpening her pencils as though they were arrows.
 "0h, is that so? Did you speak to him?"
 "Why not? He's probably forgotten about the scrap you had. l do think he's an awfully nice chap and you used to { have such good times with him. ] well I would not force myself on { any one and he seemed to be enjoying { himself with that little French doll, ] said Joyce in scornful tones. I Probably Bess Pennington had turn ed her over to him. You know she al ways has more people than she knows what to do with"
 "Perhaps," acquiesced Joyce as she \ set her easel at a good angle, and talk ing up her paints began to squeeze the \ soft colors on her palette. "Of course I'm not interested in him, but 1t sur