CHAPTER XXXIV

Valancyhadtwowonderfulmomentsthatspring. Oneday,cominghomethroughthewoods,withherarmsfulloftrailingarbutusandcreepingspruce,shemetamanwhosheknewmustbeAllanTierney.AllanTierney,thecelebratedpainterofbeautifulwomen.HelivedinNewYorkinwinter,butheownedanislandcottageatthenorthernendofMistawistowhichhealwayscametheminutetheicewasoutofthelake.Hewasreputedtobealonely,eccentricman.Heneverflatteredhissitters.Therewasnoneedto,forhewouldnotpaintanyonewhorequiredflattery.TobepaintedbyAllanTierneywasallthecachetofbeautyawomancoulddesire.Valancyhadheardsomuchabouthimthatshecouldn’thelpturningherheadbackoverhershoulderforanothershy,curiouslookathim.Ashaftofpalespringsunlightfellthroughagreatpineathwartherbareblackheadandherslantedeyes.Sheworeapalegreensweaterandhadboundafilletoflinn?avineaboutherhair.Thefeatheryfountainoftrailingspruceoverflowedherarmsandfellaroundher.AllanTierney’seyeslightedup. “I’vehadacaller,”saidBarneythenextafternoon,whenValancyhadreturnedfromanotherflowerquest. “Who?”Valancywassurprisedbutindifferent.Shebeganfillingabasketwitharbutus. “AllanTierney.Hewantstopaintyou,Moonlight.” “Me!”Valancydroppedherbasketandherarbutus.“You’relaughingatme,Barney.” “I’mnot.That’swhatTierneycamefor.Toaskmypermissiontopaintmywife—astheSpiritofMuskoka,orsomethinglikethat.” “But—but—”stammeredValancy,“AllanTierneyneverpaintsanybut—anybut——” “Beautifulwomen,”finishedBarney.“Conceded.Q.E.D.,MistressBarneySnaithisabeautifulwoman.” “Nonsense,”saidValancy,stoopingtoretrieveherarbutus.“Youknowthat’snonsense,Barney.IknowI’maheapbetter-lookingthanIwasayearago,butI’mnotbeautiful.” “AllanTierneynevermakesamistake,”saidBarney.“Youforget,Moonlight,thattherearedifferentki