Show X X X X X y X 3 I I N H The Haired Black-Haired N N p N M G- G Girl lr 1 In in R Red e d H M N Y H N H K N By LAURA MONTGOMERY H He H H. H e H y X Q e. 1922 by McClure Newspaper Syndicate In past years when Irene had finIshed finished fin fin- a picture she had used to rush downstairs and face her family eager eager- e eyed ed but as she grew older she had learned to dread the laughter that sometimes greeted her Irene loved color Flaming tints bizarre arrangements arrangements arrangements arrange arrange- ments of ot color combinations that no noone noone noone one one else had dared fascinated her She he had been submitting cover designs cover to the magazines for years ears but isher ts is her brothers gibingly Informed her she Me had yet to make a single le sale Her paints were exceedingly costly for tor the colors sho eho used were invariably the most expensive If It you'd oud spend your allowance on your clothes Instead of paints you'd look a lot better observed Fred starIng staring star star- Ing Ini at the stained paint I d frock and untidy untidy un un- un- un tidy Udy hair Irene looked from the startling picture picture pic plc- ture In her hand to her brothers brother's face tace Dont you like It a bit she Inquired a somewhat beaten expression sion slon creeping Into her heT eyes Freds Freds Fred's taunting air dropped dropP d from him This was the first time Irene I had ever overlooked looked as though she thought defeat a probability Ill tell you OU Irene he began crisply you OU are too one d. d No one can slave at one thing the way you OU do and do lo the best work If It you devoted even live five hours a da day to your our painting and the rest to recreation getting fresh viewpoints and becoming rested you would do lo a alot alot lot Jot better I think you OU have ha talent but I dont don't believe bellec you'll ever In this world make good the way youre you're rushIng rushIng rushing rush- rush Ing at nt It You have to be a bit allaround all all- around to get the l best est out of life life you know Then you dont don't think this good goodr nervously she pushed back a l wisp of curly black hair an and l her hand left a smear of violet t blue paint near her left eye eJe which failed to Improve her herS S appearance C Annoyed by her unkempt look and trembling mouth Fred scowled No It looks as though a crazy person had created It I suppose you are not goIng going goIng go- go Ing to honor us by attending the dance nt St the Country club Irene stared down at her picture and then rushed rushe l from the room Nobody Nobody Nobody No body cares she wept when she had reached her room that was redolent of ot ancient paints Daisy tapped at the thc door and then pushed It open She carried a cup of ot ottea tea and the very sight of the frail trail blue china and the tiny sandwiches refreshed refreshed refreshed re re- re- re Irene Sa Say Irene remarked the younger sister sensibly drink this and slip Into an evening frock and come with us I believe Fred Fre l Is right although he Is such a crab If you go about a bit and eat properly you'd go goback goback goback back to work feeling more fit Irene pushed l back her hair a second time and Daisy began to laugh as the scarlet decorated the tired face I am too too tired tired l to dress dress dress- she began but buther buther buther her sister Interrupted her Drink this tea an and l take your our time In dressing Were We're not going until past hall eight o'clock and you'll have plenty of time Fred stared as he saw Irene coming down the wide black oak stairway She certainly looked lilts like a different girl Her lIer had left no traces save rove a flush on either cheek that was becoming Her black block hair hall was caught up In a curly knot on the top of her bead and she had secured It with an anold anold old carved black comb with a high top Her frock was an old one one Irene Irene wasted little time on shopping shopping but but It was vastly becoming a l vivid red chiffon that brought out the soft black of her velvety eyes G Gee sis you look like somebody now declared Fred Y You ou know how to dress lr ss yourself yourself your your- self It If you cant can't dress your our Impossible slant eyed maidens You he screwed l his eyes ees up as though Inspecting a picture lack Jack something though Haven't you a black fan tan 7 Irene refreshed by the delicious tea tell giggled l. l Nothing so 00 banal any anyone one would think of ot a black fan because my my eyes eres are ore dark lark See Seel I and s she e brought her left hand which had hail been behind her out with a flourish nourish The huge feather fan of brilliant blue gave gae a touch of the bizarre to her costume that was exquisite Fred bated haled to be effusive but he lie really admired admired ad ad- mired his sister at nt that moment She c looked so ten tender ler and feminine with I her cloudy curly hair about her face fuce If It you painted l a picture of ot that staircase staircase stair stair- case with a pretty girl coming down downIn In that dress It might not be so bad he said slowly All evening Freds Fred's words lingered in the girls girl's mind He lie seldom praised 1 t his sisters nn and l his words gave ga her an anI Idea If It she stopped trying so earnestly earnest earnest- ly for tor something different If she painted paint ed what she knew she slue might achieve I something She had been trying to todo todo todo do ideals that no one understood and no one had paused to try to unravel her meaning In the Impossible Jumbles 1 she had slaved sla upon Who Is that girl In red she overheard overheard overheard over over- I heard a stranger ask e She Is an artist and und I never nc knew until tonight that she was a Q real girl rejoined Richard Grieg a man whom hom Irene trene had known for years aid ald secret secretly t- t ly Iy n admired He e was a n man ti who ho things 3 in the business world world world-n a suc suc- cess Richard danced four times with the haired black girl In red and Daisy n leafed feared her ga gayly ly as the they drove droe home I 1 In the tile moonlight Guess I Imade made Mj fe M j mistake coaxing you 00 to go to the j dance flance she said Fancy Taney dancing four font I I H i L S times with that wonderful Richard Grieg The change from the paint laden air to the the- summer scented flower-scented breeze and the recreation of the successful evening did Irene worlds of good Moreover her Ideas had freshened and she went to work with a steady hand A As she sketched In the outlines for a new cover coyer her lips curved hap hap- After all It was a pleasant thing to be a girl and wear pretty clothes She worked steadily until noon floon an and l then went for a walk stalk alk before luncheon At three o'clock she had finished her sketch which she had done In watercolors water water- colors to get the first effect A week later she was waiting In the hall for Daisy who was trying the effect ef et feet of a new hat that Irene had with her new interest In n clothes designed for her sister when the postman rang Irene sat reading the short note from the art editor her eyes ees round with surprise He says Daisy that this sketch Is the first thing that Ive I've sent In that had any promise an and l that If I keep on doing everyday sketches I may send him something he can accept Daisy giggled Art HArt Is very nice you sure designed a 8 peachy hat for tor forme forme torme me sis but If I had a chance at a aman aman aman man like Richard Grieg who she had hod caught a 8 glimpse of ot a gray overcoat overcoat over over- coat cont outside the hall door Is coming up this very tery minute I Id I'd l never waste a second on art The girl in red showed me a girl I ha had l ne never er known before teased tensed Richard In later ter when he had read the wonderful letter fro from the art editor and the sketch of the vivid red gown with the daring during blue feather teather fan evidently evidently evidently evi evi- dently made a hit I dont don't know however ho that thal I can spare any of ot my wife's time for art though he added with the masterful air that Irene adored l. l |