Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-06

and his genius il dead with him. =
AT that monient subtle voice seemed
to whisper:
''But his work lives after him. II
may still win The prize. /"
Roy felt as if the voice came from
without, ana turned and looked about
him. He saw the rolled up picture lying
ON the table, and thought there could be
no harm in E.king one more look. He
stretched it upon his easel, and gazed at
it with envy and delight.
''After all, II would harm no one" he
thought. ~ would have done anything
for him-liying. ! would not have de-
serted him on barren island or thrown
him to wolvesi would not save my
self in any way at his expense. But now,
il can save myself without injuring
him, why notr'
And then commenced one Of those I'M
seen battles or the battle ground of the
human heart, where no banners wave
nor trumpet sounds tell Of victory-nc
muffled drum of defeat, but where the
destiny of sous are ofttimes decided, and
all is lost or won for time and eternityl
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 rs he reached the corner
he saw coffin borne out, and turned
shuddering away. 1t was all over, then.
He could do his friend no harm, even If
he won the prize through himl
Roy painted no more his Ineffective
pictures Each day he gloated instead
over the magical island, with its wind
swept ferns, its lambert skies and lumi-
nous air. Eai,h day he looked into the
blue eyes Of the island queen, and felt
assured Of hi, own triumph. Il was
time of fever and unrest till the final
day, when, mounted in frame that had
cost his very last franc, he sent the picture
to the judges, and sat down to wait. He
pawned his watch and lived upon the
proceeds while he waited. He did not
sleep well any more; his old buoyancy
had deserted linn.
He took a step forward. There was
time, and he would save himself yet.
What matter if chaos came afterward7
He would have done his duty. But how
could he face those ranks of spectators
and tell his crime2 He faltered and fell
back-it was loo late. lie heard o hum
of voices. Some ono was speaking, but
he could not distinguish the words. He
did not know till some ono pushed him
forward, and 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 hirlself pushed over toward
the platform. Was there no help2
He made strong effort to speak as he
met the smiling faces on every hand.
1T is not mine" he managed TO soy.
There is q mistake"
A great bur den seemed to roll away
from him at these words. He could lift
his head once more among his fellow
men! lie was no longer q perjrred
cheat!
A murrnur rose on every side. What
did it all mean? The professors stared ut
him and ut ore another.
"What docs it mean, then? Why arc
you here? Lat 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 chum1 lie
was always ethereal. LAS he sailed
away like thistle down on puff Of
wind? / thought he WIS painting for the
prize2"
80 he was" stammered Roy, with
guilty flush on his face, 'but sickness
and'-
Your plate. n.esseurs," cried stem
voice, and Roy felt relieved.
He was trembling, nevertheless. Eo
felt giddy, as one who stands on the verge
of precipice. He stood by wiadow
and could catch a glimpse Of blue sky,
and one tle"cy, wind swept cloud Colrl
any one look down from th1se shining
battlements2 he wondered with vague
shivcr. Could one know The Gricfs and
joys, the temptations ard triumphs OF
those left behind? His head seemed in Il
whirl, as if hundred wheels were turn
ing there. lie lonGed to stop it ell for
moment that he might think.
Roy shuddnred. From what pale ranks
u dlocAABCtbeu Sphiso NOuli bhS9 Sdii
back the artist Of the prizef
Ell viii explain" he began.
But tho words were frozen on his lips,
FOR before him, pale, gaunter than ever,
hollow eyed, purple Tipped, with slow and
wavering steps, he saw his friend APP
pear.
Il am hercp hollow voice said near
him. II was i'll, and my friend sent the
picture for me-"
Roy heard TO more. The excitement
of thq past six weeks had done their
work. At that voice from the dead, for
SO it seemed, he staggered and fell
When he came back to his senses, Lang
bent over him kindly.
You're all right now, old fellow" be
said. 81 GU ght to have given you warn
ing. I'm just able to be out"
Don't take nay hand. am o swirl
der" cried Roy. "You don't know. !
meant
But you didn't. You were brave at
tho last, in the face of all! say you are
q trump. Tome, never speak of 1t again.
Let us take studio toSather, and III
stand the expense out Of the prize, I'll
you do something really good. Work
will DO il, oil fellow"