tiny fairy jewels.

Past the groups of houses which presumably sheltered famous artists as
well as amateurs, perhaps with no more ability than Gerry, the two girls
wandered on, absorbed in their own conversation.

They were not especially disappointed at finding no one in the
neighborhood of the colony who seemed to be of interest. There were
three or four girls idling in one of the yards who stared curiously as
the Camp Fire girls passed, but Sally and Gerry paid but slight
attention to them in return, having previously confessed to each other
that they were a little tired of so much feminine society.

A tall old gentleman with a white, closely trimmed beard strode by,
carrying a large canvas under his arm. He frowned portentously, as if he
would have the girls appreciate that he was a genius in the grasp of a
creative impulse and so must not be disturbed. Neither Sally nor Gerry
had the faintest impulse toward disturbing him, yet his appearance
suggested a train of thought to Sally.

"I wonder, Gerry, why you decided so suddenly that you wished to study
art?" she said. "Until this summer I have never even heard you mention
the subject. Do you intend making a business of it some day? You won't
mind my speaking of this, but you have always said you had to do
something or other to make your own living."

Instead of replying at once Gerry hummed the first line of a song, also
moving on so quickly that Sally, who was averse to violent exercise, had
difficulty in keeping up with her.

"Certainly not, Sally," she answered finally. "Besides, if I ever should
develop such a foolish idea, who do you think would buy my silly little
pictures, except perhaps Mrs. Burton? I do wish she were my real aunt; I
am oftentimes jealous of Peggy. But really I began studying art last
winter chiefly on her account. She insisted that I should not idle away
all my time, so I concluded that I would prefer being an art student to
attending a regular school.

"Mrs. Burton was delighted, because she thinks it would be a good plan
for me to become a dressmaker or a designer. I am so fond of clothes and
she believes the art lessons will be of value to my future work.
However, my dear Sally, nothing is further from my own expectations. You
and I for different reasons must make marriage our career. You were
created for domesticity and I, well, I simply must marry some one with
money. I used to hope that Mrs. Burton might do a great deal for me