The Nest Builder

nly his smaller canvases. "I'll stay away till five o'clock, not a minute longer," he admonished. Mary, still seated in the dining-room over her Eng

ow them the ba

uestioned. "You admi

the best connoisseurs. You'll

e ventured an answering gesture, knowing the room empty save for waiters. She was almost as

enthusiasm. Prom a black satin reticule of dimensions beyond all proportion to her meager se

biggest department store in the city, and only two blocks from here-ain't that c

store or dry goods might be, but determined not to

of likely places from my sister, who's lived in New York longer'n I have. I

d to herself, "that one would not dream of knowing people of her class at home, but rather likes them here?" She did not realize as yet that for Miss Maso

led. "I want to spend as little as possible, and

ay of illustration, drew from her bag a pair of cotton gloves, for which she exchanged h

ement, in high satisfaction. "She's a dago," she reported, "but not so dirty as some, and looks a husky worker. It's her business to clean the flats for new tenants, but I promised her fifty cents to get the place done by noon, windows and all. She seemed real pleased. She says her husband will

ds that day. Mary would have bought a bedstead and screened it, but her companion pointed out the extravagance a

divan. At first Mary rejected this Janus-faced machine unequivocally, but became a convert when Miss Mason showed her how cretonne (she pronounced it "creeton") or rug

chairs, and a sturdy folding table in cherry, quite old, which Mary felt to be a "find," and which she destined for Stefan's paints. Miss Mason recommended a "rocker," and Mary, who had had visions of stuffed English easy chairs, acquiesced on finding in the rocker and Morris types the only available combinations of cheapness and comfort. A second smaller table of good design, two brass candlesticks, and a little looking-glass in faded greenish gi

dn't need such a t

ty, values and economies. Mary understood she was receiving her second initiati

me, et cetera," she capitulat

difficulty, but it yielded to the little spinster's inspiration. A list of their performances between noon and five o'clock would read like the description of a Presidential candidate's day. They dashed back to the studio and reassured themselves as to the labors of the janitress. Miss Mason unearthed the lurking husband, and demanded of him

me-makers, all right," was Miss

knives, forks, and spoons. Meanwhile they had telephoned the hotel to send over the baggage. When the street car dropped them near the studio they found the two Italians seated on the steps, the furniture and baggage in the

cking chair. "Well, we've done it," she said,

the sink, where she was s

ly don't know how to thank you." She appeared at the door of the clo

for thanks, why, it's been a treat to me. I've felt like I was a girl again. But we'

n, stay for tea and let

my dear, it's time I went, and you and Mr. Byrd will want to be alon

vely put her arms round

get it," she whispered, almost loath to let

turned to su

blue and white tea things. Near the large window stood the other table, with Stefan's palette, paint tubes, and brushes in orderly array, and a plain chair beside it, while centered at that end was the model-throne. Opposite the fireplace the divan fronted the wall, obscured by Mary's steamer rug and green deck cushion. At the end of the room the heavy chest of drawers, with its dark walnu

" Tears started to her eyes. With a caressing movement she l

"Silly girl," she thought, and drying her eyes proceeded more calmly to her fina

steps at a time, triumph in every bound. The door burst open; she was enveloped in a whirlwind embrace. "Mary," he gasped

face, her hair, and her soft blue dress. "Oh, you beauty! The day ha

home she had prepared, he had brought her his success, and their love glorified

t understand. It's enough that you waved your hand and beauty sprang up! Look at my little faun dancing-we must dance too!" He lilted a

arette, they prattled like children. It was late before they remembered to go out in search of dinner, hours lat