The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2148, 25 March 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

CHERRY-STONES. "I'm sick to (loath of being stared at all day longl” Nora I)ano uttered the words angrily, but it. must be admitted that her indignation was trifle unreasonable. To begin with, her beauty was so striking a character that it absolutely insisted upon recognition, and to end with, she was paid a. weekly sum for displaying those charms to the gaze of the public. In other words, she was principal model, or showgirl, in tho costume department of the mammoth firm of Cherry and Co. Already dressed tor her part, and' attired in one of the latset" Paris “creations” that threw into striking relief her golden hair and vivid colouring. she seemed to tower above the quiet looking man who stood in front of her. flis keen eyes and pleasant smile aloned redeemed his face from insignificance, and few people would have bestowed a second glance on the ordinary-looking owner of the huge premises. lie listened to tho girl’s coinplaint with an air of complaint with an air of concern, while the obsequious manager, who stood by his side, fumed with impatience. “I’m sorry you are dissatisfied with your position,” remarked Cherry, as the girl stopped to draw breath. Have you any complaint to make? Or perhaps—” his voice altered slightly—“you are leaving to get married?” Nora hesitated at the question. “No,” she said at last, with heightened colour. “"Well I have your interest at heart, so you will absolve me) from curiosity if I ask your plans for tho future. Not—not the stage, I hope?” “Certainly not. I’m going to sit, to au artist.” “I’m sorry,” lie said quietly. “I don’t congratulate you on tlio change. You object to the impersonal scrutiny of hundreds of women, the greater part of whoso attention is reserved for your costume, yet you have no hesitation at being stared at "all day long by ono man. May I as'k his name?” “Certainly not. And you seem to have missed the point. When I leave here, I shall bo in an atmosphere of art, Here I am in an atmosphere of trade. I want to free myself from that for ever .” The tall frock-coated manager elevated his brows' at this imprudent speech. In common with many others, lie speculated on the interest that the great man had taken in this particular employee. But Cherry, who knew the girl’s history, and who accordingly acquitted her of impertinence, winced slightly at the carelessly uttered speech. He was proud of the great business he liad inherited from several generations of honest ancestors, and ho always felt a genuine joy at the sight of the palatial building, stocked full of treasures, and humming with life—a very hive of industry. It was more to him than a money making machine—it was his hobby; and the slighting reference stirred up resentment towards the speaker. “Very well, Miss Dane,” he said coldly, turning, turning away. The manager accompanied him to the door. He noted the lines of worry round his chief’s month, and he immediately connected them with a matter of importance which was occupying the attention of all the heads of the firm. “Nothing lias been discovered about ■those designs?” ho injuired. “Nothing. Wo can’t trace the matter, at all.” “Well, excuse me, sir, but wouldn’t it be as well to mention tho matter to Miss Dane? You see, she lias access to this particular line, and throwing up a good job like this is a trifle suspicious.” Cherry smiled. When his friend, Captain Owen Dane, had died, leaving his daughter destitute, Cherry had made it his business to test the girl’s abilities. Ho had found that to atone for her good looks, Nora’s attainments were below tho normal standard, and it was to rescue her from her intention of becoming a show-girl on tlio stage that he offered her a post of model at an unusually high salary in his own establishment. Therefore, ho found it difficult to credit her with the intelligence of a skilled thief. But, glad of an excuse for once more looking upon the face which had grown daily dearer to him, he turned back, and addressed the girl. “I want to speak to yoiroii a very private matter, Miss Dane. You are aware that at tho beginning of the season wo purchased on-’lie Continent oxculsive models at exorbitant pri-' - ees from the leading people them We pay big prices for thp.priv^gsgtjftfr t'irms of lesser rep., to. Continental people with wbW n we i OO ’ can throw no light on the Setter. Nora’s blue eyes had fV'tyvn '"“But what have I to do With it? she asked. The next minute she gie

re u'oh 1 see wind you mean she criod ‘‘Of course, I wear the dresses But you can’t think I have been clever enough to make them? Why, indeed, 1 could* t chan a straight line to save mv hte. Cherry softened at her distress. “There, there! It is all right, he said. “I just spoke to you to put you on vour guard. Take note of any suspicious incident at a private view, and preserve the business rule ot keeping your mouth shut in what concerns the firm. Goodbye!” Almost before Cherry had leit he Nora had forgotten his essence, to gethcr with his story. 11 > thought had possessed her of a > ‘ the minute, «ecm to cwl round > the longetl-Eor horn- ot elo»i. . 11 ■ dashing into the dressing-room, as was her wont, she was m the street before her companions had even thought of changing their clothes. Being a personal friend of the proprietors she was allowed a certain amount o latitude, and the duty of putting away her dress was left entirely in h own hands. Although she could dlafford the luxury, she hailed the fas taximeter, .and was piloted throu h the electric-lit streets until she alighted before a dark block of flats on the Chelsea Embankment. There was no lift, and her hear - beat fast with the exertion as she toiled up the dirty stairs, but directly phe had opened the door of the studio,

and the mingled odours of turpentine, tobacco, and pastilles greeted her nostrils, Nora felt like a queen who had come into her kingdom. This was tlio atmosphere she loved. A tall man rushed forward to greet her. “How late you arc,” ho cried. “I was afraid you might not turn up. And how beautiful you look! I could look at you nil night I But there’s no time for that, worse luck. Do you mind starting at once?” Nora took up her accustomed plaeo on the dais, and then the silence was unbroken as the painter worked away busily, and the girl sat wrapped in a dream. At last Nora spoke. “You needn’t be so rushed for time in the future, ns I can sit to you whenever you like. I’ve thrown over my post at Cherry’s.” Daero started slightly. Then lie bent his head again over his work. “I’m. awfully sorry,” he said “W’liat a pity to be so imprudent! Do you think if you ate humble pie they would take you on again?” “Of course they would. But why should I?” Nora’s voice was in the aggressive. “Well, you see, dear, I can’t afford to marry you just now. And while wo wait, I know that you are in good hands where you are. Cherry is a good sort, and lie only has decent people round him; and, Nora, darling, you don’t know how far that goes with me. I am jealous of everyone. So think it over. There! A lovely little curl finished. I could paint your hair for ever.” Just at that moment the stridentvoice of the telephone clamored in the other room, and Daero dashed off.

Left alone, Nora stretched herself, and then, jumping off the dais, she began to explore the room. Presently the easel eauglit her eye. Da ere had never allowed her even one peep at her picture, as he preferred her to wait and seo the finished result. Now, like a true daughter of Eve, she tiptoed across to the portrait. ■ The next minute a scream- rang through the buildings, and at the sound Dacro hurried back to the room. Nora.' turned on him like a fury.

ft oh, you cadi” she cried. “You cowardly cad !” Tlio man's face Hushed, and he snatched at the sketch she was trying, with trembling fingers, to destroy. “If you don’t stop that noise this minute,” he threatened, “I’ll ring for tlie commissionaire to put you out of the building. That’s right. Now be sensible and listen to reason. I can explain everything.” Nora’s only answer was a sudden twist, which wrenched the sketch from his grasp. The next minute she was rushing down the stairs she had mounted so gladly a few minutes before. Bare-headed into the rain she rushed, hearing her spoil with her.

That evening, after a solitary dinner, Cherry sat smoking, in a very discontented frame of mind. Once Fortune had smiled upon him and lined his path with rose-leaves. Now she had made a- clear sweep of these dainty petals, and had pelted him with stones. His coOlc had treated him badly. Ho was worried with business. To crown all, he was in love. Stones, stones, stones 1 Consequently lie looked up with a frown when his man informed him that someone wished to see him who would give no name. ‘Barely had the message • been given when a girl, drenched and draggled, but still beautiful, entered. • “You may go, Perkins,” said

Cherry. Then he turned to Nora. “I’m so glad to see you,” he said pleasantly, ignoring her-plight, and speaking as if her invasion were the most natural thing in the world. “I hope you’ve come to take back your notice.” “No, it’s not- that.” Nora’s voice trembled, and she held out a torn sketch. “It’s this. Someone made mo his catspaw. I gave away your secrets, but I never meant to. I never thought. It was his suggestion. I used to rush off from work to the studio, dressed just as I 'was, and only stopping to put on a cloak. He kept on making fresh studies. And to-niglit when I peeped at the- sketch I lotind that he had never drawn me at all. My face was a blank.” “But you found ho had made a detailed sketch of your costume,” smiled Cherry. “Good ! Then that’s cleared up. He will poach front mo no longer. I can forgive him stealing my designs as long as lie didn’t steal ray show-girl.” Nora dried her eyes at the glad

voice. “Then may I H *“ ’-the Tsun s trouhjof to cherry-stones a, flora 0U J hands, and answfc- c d. x-'j vo _ “To make up mist - l.tlltlie with formally make over to you copyright of myself.