Miss Pat at Artemis Lodge | Page 7

could have. "Have you
seen the place, Elinor?"
Elinor had not, but Margaret Howes had stopped there before settling in
her new studio apartment, and she declared it as delightful as one could
wish. Ted and Tom added their hopeful prophecy that she'd find a
dandy bunch of girls there, and even Judith put in a word for Patricia's
future abode by saying in her most conclusive fashion:
"I suppose they'll be fearfully nice to you there, since they will all
know that Madame Milano made you come there. You're always so
very lucky, Miss Pat. Everybody makes things so easy for you."
Patricia gave a gurgle of amusement at Judith's grown-up air. Her
soaring spirits began to color the picture of Artemis Lodge with
brighter hue and she saw that it really was fortunate to have the interest
of a prominent and popular opera singer as an introduction to the world
of musical endeavor.

"That's true enough, Judith-Minerva, my dear," she retorted gayly. "I'll
try to live up to the great Milano's recommendation. But if I fail, I'll get
my literary sister, the authoress of----"
Here Judith, for some reason unknown to Patricia, looked so very hurt
and agitated that she dropped her teasing manner and said with genuine
satisfaction, "I'm awfully glad that you pointed out what a card
Madame Milano's introduction will be, Judy. They'll put up with me for
her sake and I'll have a good time, even if it is in borrowed plumage."
Judith, however, was not going to allow that her admired Miss Pat
needed any other recommendation than her own pleasant self, and she
defended Patricia so stoutly against this statement that Ted declared he
was green with jealousy and began a counter-charge of neglect of his
talents, which moved Judith to swift retort and afforded great diversion
to their end of the table.
The talk hung on the charms of Artemis Lodge, and then slipped to the
changes which had come into each of their lives since their last meeting.
Margaret Howes confessed to being at work on a large decorative
scheme for a woman's club, although she would not divulge the
whereabouts of the club nor the length of her stay in the metropolis.
Elinor showed the photograph of her finished cartoon for the stained
glass window she had been at work on before and during the holidays,
while Bruce promised a view of his partly finished panel for the
Historical Society. Hiram Todd sketched lightly the prospects which
were opening to him in additional work in Washington. Ted and Tom
had little to add to their openly avowed intentions to capture honors in
the same course, each declaring that the other stood little show beside
himself. Judith was very quiet and, as the youngest, was not pressed for
any definite account of her aims and accomplishments, and though
Patricia knew well that her silence covered great determinations, the
memory of her agitated manner when she had spoken jestingly of her
literary ambitions kept her from further open questioning.
The intimate hospitality of the studio made a good setting for their gay
sociability and the dinner progressed without any more drags on the
wheels of its merry-making. Mrs. Nat told funny stories, and the boys

gave impromptu imitations of classmates and professors; Margaret
Howes sparkled with quaint tales of the remote mountain village where
she had been spending the summer. Elinor's gentle wit flashed; and
Bruce's ready laughter followed every one of his own clever jokes,
while Patricia and Marian made their mark as an appreciative audience,
enjoying everything that was meant for humor and applauding even the
feeblest joke. Altogether it was a great success as a celebration and a
happy augury of the future into which it ushered the expectant Patricia.
The guests were slow to leave and if it had not been necessary for Ted
and Tom to make a certain train in order to get back to college at the
required time, while Hiram was also due at a midnight conference of
geologists at his hotel, they might have gone on with the merriment
long after the last waiter had disappeared and the violets were fading.
"I simply hate to go," confessed Margaret Howes as she stood waiting
for her taxi after the rest had departed. "I've had a gorgeous time and I
am sorry to leave you. Remember you are to meet me in the tea-room at
Artemis Lodge at four-fifteen tomorrow to look over the ground before
Miss Pat plunges in. Wait for me in the corner near the door. I'll be on
time--if I can."
After the elevator had clanged its way down with Bruce and Margaret,
Patricia turned with a passionate gesture to the others.
"Oh, my dears, to think it has really begun!" she