Evening star., 1928-05-27

again to Adeline Ruths heart sank.
1t wasn't too pleasant to be forciply
set upon the shelf Never mind" she
told herself Later f. later -
She meant that one day she would be
| free.
Well. then, you'll c-come? :. :"
added Marcus, appealing to Adelirie.
Adeline nodded joyouSly, her high
spirits quite restored Ruth saw her
happy smile-the smile of a child.
And w-wish :" Marcus could
get no further He glanced at Ruth.
A moment later he was gone.
SLOW old thing!" Adeline observed.
But clever. wonder he ever thinks
of anything to say to his sitters"
rs he very good painter?" asked
Ruth
Il don't know. They say he is"
Adeline picked up her fashion paper.
You should get him to paint you"
Ruth said
"Oh, he's going to-" answered Adeline,
hall indifferent. Il said he'd got to-"
Mrs Sisley had in her head another
notion altogether.
Portrait painters make a good deal
OF money, don't they?" she asked.
X x
was strange how often Ruth thought
OF Marcus in the next few days.
His tail, awkward figure rose frequently
IN her memory. While she was taking
down Mr.. Scruters dictation she found
herself seeing that rough tweed suit,
the black tie. the long face, the wide
smile. Everv time she thought of
Marcus she smiled.
Thursday came. and Ruth and her
mcther sat at home, while Adeline
danced of to Marcus party. She re-
turned early in the morning, plunged
into her little bed, across the room
from Ruth's, and was instantly asleep
Ruth lay imagining all the fun Adeline
must have shared during the EVENING,
and, when she fell asleep again, she
dreamed that she had been at the
party. IN the background, watching the
fun and relishing it.
This dream remained with her all
day and. in the evening. as she walked
home from the railway station. She
thought herself still dreaming when
she caught sight of Marcus. walking
toward her. He seemed to stare, to
hesitate. as though he hardly recog-
nized her. Then he snatched of his
nat half-stopped, smiled, looked very
stralght ct her. and passed. 1t seemed
70 Huth that he had probably been too
sny 10 speak. but his abrupt failure to
~ 40 SO sent little pain to her heart.
DID he dislike her?
On Saturday afternoon. as som as
sne had eaten her lunch. Adeline dress
eo very carefully and went out, saving
notnAng 10 the others of her dest;na-
Ton. Ruth a.3o left the fat and went
70 caH upon some friends. VIXEN she
returned nome she was astonislaed to
md that Marcus was there. He was
sione he was by the fireplace. with
ms head down. little pale. AS he saw
Hutn ne seemed to become more awk.
ward than ever.
Y-your sisters had had an
sccident, stanmered Marcus. "F-feil
10 the river. / brought her
home. Your mothers p-putting her
to bed M
rs she hurt?" asked Ruth.
Il d-don't think SO. You see. she
w-was in canoe w-with 4 man
afraid"
you look as if you were rather wet!"
crieo Ruth. You are You're soaked!
Oh, you ought to hurry home. you'll
catch cold.''
Marcus grinned. For the first time
he was able to look at Ruth without
giving her the impression that he dis
liked doing so. 1t was a very pleasant
experience for Ruth to see his frank.
cheerful eyes
I'm R-going in a minute" he said.
Must stay and see all's well !"
With which statement he began most
violently to sneeze. "At-cloo! At
choo! AT -
Alarmed both for Adeline and for
Marcus, Ruth hastened to the bedroom,
TO ind that Adeline was snugly o4tween
blankets and her mother standing near
the bed. Adeline looked none the w,rse
for the accident
That poor young mans soaked TO the
skin" Ruth cried, when she had a5cer-
tained that Adeline was well. Hes
sneezng all over the room"
Hes a hero!" cried Mrs. Sisley de-
voutly. He may sneeze anywhere ne
likes. I must 60 back at once and thank
him for saving Adde'S life"
And she went out of the room, leaving
Ruth sitting upon Adeline's bed. they
looked at each other almost drolly. The
two of them heard Mrs Sisleys voice
IN the next room. Both knew what she
was saying. Cant thank you i
can't My little Adeline. My dar-
ling A mother, Mr., Denny =.
How can thank :"