The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-05-19
BEANS
AND HER
MODEL
e by D. ]. Walsh.)


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 the threadbare mate.
rial shone with determined shini'
ness that fairly proclaimed its out
lived usefulness.
! AS he spoke, the clerk reached up
on the shelf, and taking down a can
of beans wrapped it decorously In
white paper and set it on the counter.
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 a stern voice
mentally. "Beans are-Oh, be quiet"
she suddenly exclaimed aloud, heed
less of the astonished stare Of man
in a green hat who paused and gazed
after her. IT 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 I suppose I'll have to
live on them for an indefinite period"
1t was the very Indebtedness Of
that period" that troubled the girl.
She had come to the city with such
high hopes of success. She had n
little money and it had looked like
such a large amount to her. 1t would
have been quite a large amount In
the little town she came from. Here
1t had melted like April snow under a
warm spring sun. There was nothing
left of it. And the few commissions
she was beginning to receive for the
new drawings she had managed tG
sell melted, too.
money never burns any ones peck
ct here" she went on still talking
aloud regardless of the astonished
stares of the people she met. at
doesn't get a chance to burn because
it doesn't stay in ones pocket long
enough. Three little orders for draw
ings to illustrate some mems clothing
ads this week. That's all. And may
be I won't get any more orders for q
month. If 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
there isn't anybody"
A sudden mist of tears dlmmed the
girls blue eyes. The dimness pre-
vented her from seeing the imperative
wave of the traffic officer to remain
on the sidewalk. She stepped off the
curbing directly into the path of d
very new, very shining coupe.
Uttering sharp cry of fright, she
lodged backward. But the can OF
beans flew out of her hand. 1t land
ed precisely in front of one of the
wheels Of the new coupe. There was
metallic jingle and a queer "plop'
as the wheel passed over it.
"My beans, oh, my beans!" walled
the girl, as she looked at the crushed
can. Il am well punished for grum
bling. Now I'll eat bread without
beans"
"Oh, say, I'm sorry" announced
the driver Of the coupe, as he clam
bered out of his shining little car an(
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 st was my
fault" she told him. 81 ought to
have been more careful. 1t was very
good Of you to stop. Most drivers
would have laughed and kept on
going"
The young man smiled, frank
flashing smile that was like sunshine
"I've seen the time in my life when
can Of beans meant considerable
too" he remarked. 81 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 overcoat, a trim
graceful garment that fitted him pre-
cisely. He wore a hat a little darker
shade of tan and brown gloves. 81
wonder" she began, and 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 tolG
him, with a twinkle Of fun in her eyes
land my last assignment happens tC
be a group of figures for clothing
advertisement. The central figure is
to wear an overcoat and hat exactly
like those you are wearing"
"And you were thinking how mucl
better you could draw from a living
figure than from a dummy model,
finished the young man. LET mt
take you to your home or boardin:
place and I'll pose for you. 1 have
little time to spare"
"But-but l don't know you," STAN
nered Mabel uncertainty.
"Are you sure" asked the youn.
man. He chuckled, as she shook he