Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-14

with note OF assurance
that indicated a good deal
of familiarity with the habits of his
customers and with those of the slim,
blue-eyed girl in the blue suit that
had been pressed and depressed until
y the threadbare material shone with a
determined shininess that fairly pro
claimed its outlived usefulness.
As he spoke. the clerk reached up
on the shelf, and taking down a can
of beans, wrapped it decorousiy in
white paper and set it on the coun-
ter. Mabel Sheriff. wondered what he
would do if she ordered something
besides beans. But with the same
automatic observance of custom she
took out her small fiat pocketbook
and paid for the beans. Then with
the can in her hand she left the store.
She was seething with rebellion. as
she trudged along the pavement
Beans are nourishing, Beans are
economical" argued stern voice
mentally.
Then she suddenly exclaimed aloud.
needless of the astonished stare of a
man in a green hat who paused and
gaZed after her: II hate beans I
never want TO eat another bean in
my life. I've lived on beans and
bread and bread and beans for the
last six months. and | suppose I'll
have to live on them for an indefinite
PERIOD
1t was the very indefniteness of
that period" that troubled the girl.
She had come to the city with such
nigh hopes of success. She had a
little money and it had looked like
such a large amount to her. 1t
would have been a large amount in
the little town she came from. Here
1t had melted like April snow under a
warm Spring sun. There was moth
ing left of it. And the few commits
sions she was beginning TO receive
for the few drawings she had man
aged to sell melted too.
Money never burns any ones
pocket here" she went on, still talk
Ing aloud, regardless of the astonished
stareS of the people she met. ut
doesn't get chance to burn because
1t doesn't stay in ones pocket Ions
enough. Three little orders for draw
ings to illustrate some mems clothing
ads this week. That's all. And
maybe l won't get any more orders
for a month. If I were a story girl
I'd just go home and marry the boy
back there and live happy ever after
But there isn't any boy back there.
There-isn't anybody"
sudden mist of tears dimmed the
girls blue eyes. The dimneSS pre-
vented her from seeing the impera-
) tive wave of the traffic officer to re.
main on the sidewalk. She stepped
off the curbing directly into the path
of very new, very shining coupe.
Uttering sharp cry of fright, she
lodged backward. But the can of
beans flew out of her hand 1t landed
.precisely in front of one of the wheels
of the new coupe. There was a me.
n
wheel passed over it.
MY beans. oh. my beans" walled
the girl, as she looked at the crushed
can. II am well punished for
grumbling. Now I'll eat bread with
out beams
"Oh. say, I'm sorry" announced
the driver of the coupe, as he clam
bered out of his shining little car
and surveyed the wrecked can and
the trickle of beans. He put his hand
in his pocket. Let me pay for
them he urged.
Mabel shook her head 1T was my
fault" she told him. II ought to
have been more careful. 1t was very
good of you to stop. Most drivers
would have laughed and kept on 60
ing
The young man smiled, frank,
flashing smile that was like sunshine
i've seen the time in my life when a
can of beans meant considerable,
too he remarked. ~ know symp-
toms. you see, Miss Sheriff.
Mabel'S eyes opened wide. She
wondered how he knew her name
There was something familiar about
his laughing countenance. But the
next moment she forgot her surprise.
The young man was CARRIED in the
very latest style of oyercoat, a trim,
graceful garment that fitted him pre-
cisely. He wore a hat a little darker
: shade of tan and brown gloves. II
wonder she began, and then
stopped, an embarrassed flood of color
sweeping up TO her bright hair.
You wonder what?" quizzed the
young man gayly. After that you'll
just have to tell me"
Mabel laughed. II draw" she told
him, with a twinkle of fun in her
eyes, land my last assignment hap
pens to be group of figures for a
clothing advertisement. The central
figure is to wear an overcoat and
hat exactly like those you are wear.
ing"
And you were thinking how much
better you could draw from a living
figure than from a dummy model,
finished the young man. Let me
take you to your home or boarding
place and I'll pose for you. l have a
little time to spare
"But--but I don't know you.
Ystammered Mabel uncertainty.
Are YOU sure?' asked the young
man. He chuckled, as she shook her
head. We'll, that's fiattering,'' he
commented jokingly. Don't you re
member the manager of the advertis
ing department at Smith q Young
xnII N Tad T.aIfrnnnn"'f
The girl blushed. He did introduce
me to a young man. she admitted
but / was so busy thinking about
getting an order | didn't remember
you.''
And after asked for an introduc
tion.' calculated Tad Laurence, with