The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-13

"But his work lives after him. 1t
may still win the prize
Roy felt as if the voice came from
without. and turned and looked about
him. He saw the rolled up picture lying
on the table, and thought there could be
no harm in taking one more look. He
stretched il upon his easel, and gazed at
it with envy and delight.
after all. it would harm no one, " he
thought. IL would have done anything
for lim-living. ! would not have de
serted him on a barren island or thrown
linn 10 wolves ! would not save my
self in any way at his expense. But now,
if can save myself without injuring
him, why noti"
And then commenced one Of those un-
seen battles on the battle ground Of the
human heart, where no banners wave
nor trumpet sounds tell Of victory-no
muffied drum Of defeat, but where the
destiny Of souls are osstimes decided, and
all is lost or won for time and eternity
So three DAYS passed and one day, inn
PEELED by an irresistible force, Roy turned
into the street where Lang had his hum
bic room. But as he reached the corner
he saw coffin borne out, and turned
shuddering away. II was all over, then.
He could do his friend no harm, even if
he won the prize through him.
Roy painted no more his ineffective
pictures Each day he gloated instead
over the magical island, with its wind
swept ferns. It's lambent skies and iumi-
nous air. Each day he looked into the
blue eyes Of the island queen, and felt
assured Of his own triumph. II was a
time of fever and unrest till the final
day, when, mounted in frame that had
cost his very last franc, lac sent the picture
TO the judges, and sat down to wait. He
pawned hi watch and lived upon the
proceeds while he waited. He did not
sleep well any more; his old buoyancy
had deserted him.
lie took n step forward There was
time and he would save himself yet
What matter if chaos came afterwards
He would have done his duty But how
could he fare those ranks Of spectators
and tell his crimei He faltered and fell
back-it was too late He heard hum
Of voices Some one was speaking, but
he could no; distinguish the words. He
did not know till some one pushed him
forward, and a voice said in his ear
Look alive, old fellow 1t is your
name they are calling Your picture
has taken the prize. and no wonder.
How YOU have blossomed out. It's no
more your old style
Roy felt himself pushed over toward
the platform. Was there no helpl
He made a strong effort to speak as he
met the smiling faces on every hand.
1T is not mine, he managed TO say.
There is q mistake. "
a great burden seemed TO roll away
from him at these words lie could lift
his head once more among lis fellow
men! lie was 10 longer a peJured
cheat.
\ murmur rose on every side. What
did it all mean: The professors stared at
him and at one another.
"What does it mean. then: Why are
YOU here: Let the painter Of Miranda
come forward and claim the prize.
"You re fading away, my boy, one
Of his fellow painters said. on meeting
him the morning Of the decision. And
what has become Of your chuml He
was always ethereal. Has lac sailed
away like thistle down on a puff of
windf thought he was painting for the
price
80 he was, stammered Roy, with q
guilty flush on his face, but sickness
and 49,
Your place, messieurs, cried q stern
voice, and Roy felt relieved.
He was trembling. nevertheless. He
felt giddy. as one who stands on the verge
Of q precipice. He STOOD 10y window
and could catch glimpse of blue sky,
and one ileecy, wind swept cloud. Could
any one look down from those shining
battlementsl he wondered with vague
SILVER. Could one know the griefs and
JOYS. the temptations and triumphs Of
those left behind: Ills head seemed in a
whirl. as il a hundred wheels were turn
ing there. He longed to stop 1t al for
moment that he might think.
non cnuNfltifIs llNlAA " iltlA l4A' AsAA.@'
e disembodied spirits would they call
back the artist Of the prize;
IL will explain he began.
But the words were frozen on his lips.
for before him, pale. gaunter than ever.
hollow eyed, purple Tipped, with slow and
waveriug steps, he saw his friend ap-
pear.
Il am here" a hollow voice said near
him. II was i'll, and my friend sent the
picture for me-"
Roy heard 10 more. The excitement
of the past six weeks had done their
work. At that voice from the dead, for
so it seemed, tie staggered and fell
When he came back 10 his senses, Lang
bent over him kindly.
you re all right now, old fellow, he
said. IL ought TO have given you warn
ing. I'm just able to be out.
Don't take my hand am swim
der" cried Roy. "You don't know. |
meant -
"But YOU didn't. You were brave at
the last, in the face Of ali. say YOU are
a trump. Come, never speak of 1t again.
Let us take a studio to-ather, and II
stand the expense out Of the prize, tili
you do something really good. Work