The Washington times., 1938-05-30

II
asked me for an article as to wha
it was all about, and so I hat
arranged to pay Jean a call.
The studio had no elevator, anC
as I painted my way slowly alons
the creaking stairs, I pictured II
myself the man that would be wait
ing for me. Long black hair, {
velvet jacket, a flowing tie anC
probably bejeweled fingers. knew
the type! I found on a door thu
neat plate bearing the name o.
Jean Leclerc.
SURPRISING MR.. LECLERC
The door was opened by q well
groomed man in his early thirties
Of athletic build and clothes Of ex
cellent cut. This surely couldn'
be the man I wanted to interview
I'D like to see Mr.. Leclerc,"
said.
I'm Jean Leclerc," he replied il
excellent English. He was an OK
ford graduate I afterwards discov
cred.
We talked Of his work and witt
patience Jean tried to tell me thu
meaning Of his involved paintings
Jeans popularity grew, but h.
managed so that his name wa!
never directly coupled with an,
particular charmer for long. W.
were together almost every day
but our friendship was a curiously
imperSonal one, which did not per
init of questions.
Then came summer. I rented
my apartment and took a cottag,
on Long Island, Jean stayed IL
the city. Often we'd dine in somG
little restaurant, then he woulC
take me to the station, usually
on top Of a bus.
LAST TRAIN GONE
One hot night we sat at ma
ria'S" trying to find a breeze il
her back garden, unconscious o
the passing Of time. Suddenly,
discovered my last train had gone
What am I going to do?"
asked in CONSERVATION.
That's very simple" said Jean
"You can sleep in the studio. In
not staying there at present"
remembered that the Harrison
had asked him to live in thei
home while they were in Maine.
Half an hour after he had gon,
there was knock. I Shivered bu
forced myself to open the door
Before me stood q girl, young
boyiSh, in corduroy pants, whit
silk shirt and green tie.
Her face, white as snow, will
Eclear-cut Grecian features, was SUI
rounded by q halo Of curly RET
hair, and her dark eyes lookeC
at me with inSolent curiosity.
where's Jean?" she asked.
Jean won't be here until to
morrow morning." I answered
politely.
do you expect me to believl
your" she demanded meaningly
looking down at Jeans pajamas
was wearing.
eff you doubt my word you cal
go downstairs and telephone Chel
sea 2643 and speak to him your
SELF" I hotly replied.
'T'LL, KILL HIM"
tho, I'll stay right here until h
comes back and then" she mad,
a dramatic pauSe-"I'll kill him.
TO my horror she produced a tin.
pistol.
I'm Odette," she stated briefly
as though this were sufficient eX
PLANTATION, as indeed it was. Sh
was Odette, the model, as well
known in the quarter in Paris a.
she was among the artists in New
York.
$50 he is in love with you." sh'
said, staring at me. well, you're
quite fat and you're not beautiful
but you look intelligent and Jear
always likes ash blond hair"
I'm no more in love with Jean
than he is with me, if only I coulc
make you understand. I came
here tonight because he is at thu
|Harrison's and I lost my train
home"
Nonsense" said Odette. enc
woman could help adoring Jean.
shall always. love him; but he
won't see me any more, and nov
I know it's for you." she said
fiercely.
"You would like to know about
me and Jean?" she asked.
mo-" I answered CURLY. ellis
affairs are no concern Of mine.
But I insist you know. met
Jean in Paris. He wasn't doing the
kind of work he's doing now, and ]
was his model. We fell in love and
when our little son was born
hoped he'd marry me.
"He soon grew tired Of me. But
when he came to New York I fol
lowed him and took a room in this
building. thought he might be
lonesome in a strange city, and
love me once again: but it hasn't
made any difference" She turned
to me with tears in her eyes. Hel
rage seemed to have spent itself.
"Odette, please don't cry; really
there's nothing between me ano
JEAN" I said. AS I talked with her
it seemed as If I were pleading foI
Jeans very life. Suddenly, in spite
of my inward resentment at his
treatment Of this girl. I realized he
was more to me than anything
else in the world.
Gradually I quieted her, anC
a Afnn. q likkln rnrHailn cha laff I fall