Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-10-14
CHAPTER XV-Continued

spent salary and the possession OF s
thousand shares OF Crystal Springs
stock. preferred Issue. Still. that was
the artists business. TO price his own
wares. While he waited for the group
about the painter to dissolve, some
one entered the gallery back Of him
and came swiftly up behind him with
Eight steps. He turned to greet Mrs
Carquinez. her face alight with well
come greeting. her jade eyes survey
ing him with their perpetual appraisal.
This is fine y she exclaimed "Do
you know. we have been talking about
sou all the afternoon? Or nearly all.
I have lots OF news for you" she
sdded, the Jade eyes full OF promises.
"Carky has sold three pictures and
Ne are going TO celebrate" she went
on. I'VE exist between Ekies, you
know"
Caleb had a vision OF noisy studio
gathering He was not in the humor
for such a celebration. not even for
the news that the artists wife sug-
gested would be his reward.
I'm afraid -" he commenceu slowly.
She broke In.
There is nothing to be afraid Of"
she laughed. 1T isn't that kind OF a
&C. ehrati0n. You and and Garky VIII
go back TO the studio as soon as 1t Is
too dark TO sell any more pictures
Carky won't exhibit under artificial
light. you know. We shall bear with
us iuxHries. Iyehls, alligator pears,
mushrooms. preserved ginger and
other more substantial things. Carky
will cook. / thought ! could. before
married him. hut discovered my
mistake. Therefore. on special occa-
sIons Carky plays chef You can stay
aiEHight or-teaFe= youF=8fd gravel
beds. We live across the bay, you
6now or you should know. Coming?
You'll be sorry If you don't There
will be just-us." She emphasized
the last word a trifle and stood look
ing at Caleb with her hands and arms
o little extended in an Invitation that
was irresistible in its genuineness.
"I'll Gomez said Caleb. eff"
"No ifs. You and / will go a-mar-
keting. Come on"
'sNet until I've bought this picture. |
{ am going to take II along with me-
1t grips me, aside from the painting
of II. What does ia Tenaya" meang"
''The Sink. AS applied to desert
cistern. natural or otherwise" she an
swered. at is In your line, isn't it7
But I'm glad you chose It. 1t Is my
favorlte and one of Carky's"
Presently Caleb and Mrs Carqulnez
did their marketing from the cab that
Caleb chartered. through the markets
and up Chinatown. Caleb bought
some masses Of iris for his share In
the feast and then. on their way back
to the studio, he halted the machine
outside the most famous Of Golden's
stores, lie BIanc's
How old is the kiddy, Mrs. Carqul-
nezY" he asked. you told me there
ives one, at Vedder's. A girl. How
old?"
"she is not Included in these cele-
,rations. Mr.. Warner. Please don't" (
"Please let me- Mrs. Carquinez, ,
we been cooped up for months with {
,ut blowing myself for a penny. This /
8 my affair Youfare not even TO
.ome In. / am going to choose il my c
elf" s
She laughed while Caleb entered s
nd was whlsked up to the floor con- [
ecrated to children's toys He sim =
lifted matters and lodged his own I
ignorance by demanding the most
laborate doll on the floor Mrs Car 9
uinez said nothing much. affecting a
n air of disapproval. tempered by the 0
ook in her eyes, though she did ex- ?
lain AT the size Of the box.
MY child is only of ordinary dimen- a
Ions. Mr.. Warner. Have you tried \
, present her with a dancing partner 7
+ her own size7" o
Caleb carried OF his canvas trium-
hantly under his arm. despite Car .
ninez' plea that II should be framed y
at his expense. under his direction. y
exchange for the present to his
lid. -
The studio proper occupied all the -
vel ground. great room with the y
z north light at one end. a fireplace
the other. There was a FIRE in the
.arth. glowing logs on andirOns.
ore for charm than necessary heat. :
settle with cushions that picked M =
e blacks and reds and white Of a
avajo rug was empty. A big chair
ntained a slender figure in black
idlng a child
Carquinez had descended to his m
tchen with the celebration plumber. ca
rs. Carquinez checked Caleb on the G,
1dio threshold while he took In the st
enc. The girl In black was grooming az
fly. 20
The child looked up and slid from pr
E cuddly lap with a cry Of At
''Aiadrei AHntie Betty. It's madre'i' tn
d came running 10 halt at the sight ag
CaIeb--a slender elf with brown tn
Is big with establishment and shy II
- and her mothers ash-gOld hair ba
langIing IRE and lampllght Behind "
: Betty Clinton got up and sfood slb