Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1916 — HELPING OUT [ARTICLE]

HELPING OUT

By LOUISE OLIVER.

Alan Pierpont, bending over a bed of coreopsis, straightened at the sound of a voice. “I came,” It said, “to see if yon would mind if I tuke Nancy for a ride.” Gretchen Van Doon, light haired and blue-eyed as her Dutch name implied, smiled the inquiry. “No, fairy godmother, I wouldn’t. Moreover, I don’t suppose It would do much good for me to object If you and Nancy have made up your minds to *67 Eh, kiddle?” as a little girl of seven run around the house from the street. “But —since you call me ‘fairy godmother’ —I’ll have to dress her. Her hair ribbons, for instunce, won’t do. You see, you put on one red one and one blue this morning, and I’d like to get the mate of either one.” Alan smoothed the hair over his temple as he did when perplexed. "Well, does It make any difference? Do they have to match? I was thinking when 1 put them on that they were like my bed of oriental popples and blue larkspur.” A quick look of sympathy came over Gretchen’s face. The artist and his little girl were at once the despair and amusement of Kentboro, for little Nancy came forth in some of the queerest rigging that ever adorned a child. “Come on,” purred Nancy, so the two disappeared into the house. “I’d like to paint her among the poppies and larkspur,” he thought. There was a sound of a motor stopping at the front of the house und a man came around into the garden. “Walter!” cried the man among the flowers. “How do you do, Alan?” greeted the other cordially enough, coming up “Yes. I do my own gardening,” said Alan simply. “I’m glad to see you. Won’t you come into the house?” “It is pleasant out here. Can’t we sit down on this bench under the tree?” asked the newcomer. “I can’t stay long anyway and, needless to say, came on business.” "I suppose it’s the same old story,” said Alau wearily as they sat down. “Pretty much. Alau —see here—you’ve been acting the tomfool long enough. The business has grown and father’s getting old. There’s too muen for me to inunage and the big profits are going to strangers. You can’t make a decent living daubing.” Alan did not answer. “If you’re thinking of the other,” went on his brother, “that can be arranged. Of course you can’t bring the girl you married with you, but there s money enough in the family to take care of that as long as there’s a court in the land.” “Stop I” cried Alan. “I don’t care to hear any mere. I’ve been happy for years, and now you -come to spoil It.” Gretchen and Nancy appeared Just then nt the back door. “I think we have everything. Goodby,” called Gretchen smilingly from the door. “Will you come here a minute — dear?” asked A4an. Gretchen obeyed, but she was puzzled. Had she heard aright? Had he really called her “dear?” “Walter, I want you to meet my wife. This is my brother, Walter Pierpont.” Gretchen held out her hand mechanically and managed to smile. She was too much puzzled to protest-; besides, something tense and pleading in Alan’s face helped her to play. the part. “I am verV glad to meet you, ,r she smiled. “We would like to have you stay but —” she turned to Alan rather helplessly—“we are going on a little trip today. Is that right—dear?” “Thank you. I didn’t come to stay. I came—on business purely and that seems to* be concluded,” said Walter as he took his leave. The two stood in the garden until the sound of the car died away. Then Alan said: “Thank you, Miss Gretchen! I had to do it. He came to me with a dastardly proposition, not knowing Nancy’s mother was dead. If I had told they would never let me alohe until I went back to a world I hate. Besides, they would take Nancy away from me. You don’t mind, do you ?” “No, I don’t mind,” said Gretchen. “As nearly as I can make out that isn’t very much different from matching up Nancy’s hair ribbons. It all comes in the line of duty.” Later on, Alan painted Gretchen’a picture among the flowers, and It sold 1 fdr a top-notch price. The letter -with a check came one day when Alan had begun to despair. Gretchen came Into the garden. “I came to borrow Nancy, ’ she said. “We’re going for a ride.” “I’ve good news?’ he cried. “The picture sold for a thousand dollars! You are certainly my good fairy. But tlie name on t|ie check is my father’s I Walter will see the picture and say instantly, ‘That, Is Alan’s wife!”’ “It doesn’t matter,” said Gretchen flushing. “I don’t care—if you don’t!” “But Ido care! I want It to be really true, dear!” ' “I sort of have the habit of doing whatever you ask," laughed Gretchen. 4 “If you really think you want me—l might—” “You darling!” cried Alan, as h« gathered her into his arms. (Copyright, 1916, by the McClure NeOrsoaJ per Syndicate.) %'J ■ *