The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-02
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flashed into his mind a moment before.
 This one, despite Che rich red of the velvet scarf, the violet-bIue eyes and shining black hair, seemed strangely colorIess in com parison.
 q like it", Ardath said.
 Alan warmed to the simple statement. She was ignorant, he knew. Very ignorant about cul- tural things. But she made no pretense of knowledge, for which he admired her.
 "Who is sheP" Something pricked through Ardath's throaty tone. Alan recognized 1t indifferently as some- thing close to jealousy. The recogni- ton of every woman of every other woman as rival.
 He smiled little. A smile that lifted the gravity of his hand- some, lean young face.
 "She was girl I knew in Pet" rograd," he explained. "She was of noble birth, but when l met hel she was waitress in a restaurant I persuaded her to sit for me. And put royal red around her. Il was a color that suited her, ano belonged to her"
 "Oh," Ardath murmured. This time jealousy of the proud young woman, who had been set apart from her by Alan's tone, was ill the open. You were in love with her, suppose"
 Not at all," Alan replied, and was amazed at seeing satisfaction leap, unveiled, to Ardath'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.
 T 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. Periodically, he didn't want to paint her. He had a feeling that perhaps contact with this sultry young person might not be especially good for him. At least not especially rewarding ar- tistically.
 It was all very well to visualize her on two canvases. But putting her there-especially in the mood his imagination had evoked, with her full lips parted to reveal gleam- ing teeth - might be more difficult Rather than be an inspiration, she might play havoc with it.
 T don't know" Alan tempo rized. Have you ever posed for pictures?"
 I'm a model for clothes" Ar dath replied. T pose every day for somebody. I shouldn't think 1t would be so very different"
 She had seated herself on the couch, and the rich tapestry en- phasized her exotic qualities.
 "Very different" Alan said, Posing for clothes doesn't require any mental effort. But when an artist demands 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 woman yet he would care to share them with.
 Yes, there had been one. A beautiful clear-eyed girl, whose clear eyes had masked deceit. The most dreadful of all deceits. A conspiracy to topple his pride and professional integrity. A conspir- acy to make soft fool of him.
 The thought of Jill, bringing with 1t again the pain of broken romance and disillusionment, made him feel more tolerant of this girl with her purposes so honestly ex- posed. 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 tllG ldpo VI GilC SOuo' 4OillOllCW he might be inclined to smile over the woman-asleep and the woman awake.
 T think" drawled Ardath, who had watched indecision playing 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.
 It was just as well to tear 1t up, this small card that was tangible temptation of some kind.