The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-02
y 7 LII ... .:. ~. : i: (: ::::: h.
e. 1907, NEA Ssodes, Inc

her she was a waitress in a res
taurant. persuaded her to sit
for me. And Isput royal red
around her. 1t was 4 color that
suited her, and belonged TO her. D."
oh" Ardath murmured. This
time jealousy of the proud young
woman. who had been set apart
from her by Alan'S tone, was in
the open. You were in love with
her, | suppose
mot at ALL" Alan replied, and
was amazed at seeing satisfaction
leap. unveiled, to Ardaht'S eyes.
How simple. how crude she was
in her methods. She was primi-
tive in her emotions. But that
did not make her less paintable.
But more so.
Il don't suppose" Ardath spoke
abruptly. that you would care TO
paint me-"
He did want to paint her. But
he was unprepared for her direct
question. ParadoXically, he didn't
want 10 paint her. He had a feel
ing that perhaps contact with this
Sultry young person might not be
especially good for him. At least
not especially rcwarding ar
tiStically.
IL was all very well 70 visualize
her on two canvaSeS. But putting
her thcre-especially in the mood
his imagination had evoked, with
cleaning tceth-might be more
difficult. Rather than be an in
spiration, she might play havoc
with it.
IL don't know" Alan tempo
rized. Have you ever posed for
pictures"
I'm a model for Clothes" Ar
oath replied. IL pose every day
for somebody. | shouldn't think
il would be so very different"
She had seated herself on the
couch, and the rich tapestry en-
phaSizcd her exotic qualities.
VERY different" Alan said.
Posing for clothes doesn't re-
uume any mental effort. But
when an artist demands a
mood"
What kind of mood" Ardath
questioned, her eyes on his.
Alan colored. Never mind that.
If this girl thought she could
force him into condolences, she
was mistaken. His thoughts were
his own. There had never been
a woman yet he would care to
share them with.
Yes. there had been one. A
beautiful clear-eycd girl, whose
clear eyes had masked deceit. The
most dreadful of all deceits. A
conspiracy to topple his pride and
professional integrity. \ conSpir-
acy 10 make a soft fool Of him.
The thought of Jill, bringing
with il again the pain of broken
romance and establishment,
made him feel more tolerant of
this girl with her purpose SO hon
cStly exposed. Yes, she would
probably prove an apt model.
He didn't like her. He dis
trusted her. But he might paint
her. He would leave the issue on
the laps of the gods. Tomorrow
he might be inclined to smile
over the woman asleep and the
woman awake.
II think" drawlcd Ardath,
who had watched indecision play
ing over his face, and read it
wisely, that I'll leave my address
and telephone number. After all,
you might need a model, some
day. Who knows"
Who knew?
Alan took the card she gave
him and walked with her to the
door.
After she had gone he looked
at the small card. Ardath Holm.
The name seemed to suit. The
address, he told himself, meant
nothing TO him.
1t was just as well to tear it
up. this small card that was a tam
gible temptation of some kind.
But instead, Alan crossed to a
desk and dropped the card into a
drawer which held some receipts
and more unpaid bills.
The next day Alan saw Jill'S
victurc. as he carclcSsly turned
the pages of a newspaper.
Jill. he read grimly. was having
a ball The date was some time
away. but the event was heralded
as one of major Importance in the
winter calendar.
by now" Alan decided fierce
". determined TO face sober re-
atty. she has probably forgotten
that she ever knew me. If she
hasn't. she will when all the par
ties begin. Pleasure is all rich
girls Ike Jill think about"
If he had known, Jill was
ready for any excitement which
would act as a temporary escape
from thinking at all.
The brilliant ball was one Mrs.
Wentworth had had in mind a
long while. She wanted it to
eclipse any social affair Jill had
ever been give nand to rank with
the elaborate parties of the sea-