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

Roy had crushed this letter in his hand,
and walked on with the feeling that lie
had nothing more to hope or expect in
this world. lie had. in fact, been work
ing against hope for the last month, with
q cold, Departing feeling settling down
about ms heart. He was one Of the COM
pehiors for prize, but each day he
passed his brush over the days work
with an angry vehemence, celebrating
his failures.
VI am gigantic mistake" he said TO
himself gloomily. There's nothing left
for me but TO go back to the button fac
tory There's nothing in me. ! cant
get up the ghost Of n conception for a
picture. Ny figures look as if cut out Of
pasteboard, my skies arc like Aunt Rox-
anna's bluing, my rocks are pasty.
Heighol could almost wish Id lived
in those wonderful d1ys Of magic and
wizards. II any obliging gentleman in
black should appear now and say, Roy
Mather, YOU shall have your hearts de-
sire for the paltry consideration Of
Hallool who are you tumbling overi'
a fierce 'sacre' came from the adj
vancing foe, but the next moment 1t was
changed TO n greeting. A sallow faced,
dark eyed gentleman in black stopped
suddenly, and then said
1t is Monsieur Mathcr, oh? All you
come, suppose, from your friend-ah u
the poor young man-cut down like
fiowcr'--
"What do you meanl" cried Roy, rec.
nizing fellow student
lis it that you ask me2 Why, ]
thought it was with YOU, Damon, and
what you call the other?"
Never pind What is the matter
with fang?'
"Oh! he is dying, that is ALL"
Roy turned away and walked rapidly.
He had been so occupied with his work,
having studio Of his own now, that he
had hardly thought Of Lang for three
weeks, and his conscience spote hiQ.
But certainly Mather could not be so
desperate, or his friend would have let
him know.
lie made his way up the dim stairway,
meeting no one. When he pushed open
the door Of Langs room there was no
light or any sound save a half smothered
moan from the bed.
He found a match after awhile and lit
q candle. Then he called his friend by
name, but there was no answer.
He took the light in his hand. a hor-
rible fear was ciutching at his heart as
he walked toward the bed, for the moan
ing had ceased And at the first glance
it looked as if the shadow that lies in
wait for all Of us had indeed crossed that
threshold, and laid a dim hand upon one
aching brow
"Ilc is gone, poor fellow thought
Roy, land no one beside him TO hear ms
last words or TO hold his hand in the SUI
premc moment. Perhaps, though, there
may be some faint pulse of life If had
some stimulants'-
lie bathcd the cold face with water
first, and then looked about for some
thing stronger.
IN deing This he saw an easel, and
upon it stretched finished picture, that
even in that faint and dim light glowed
with lifc and power. There was tall
hcadland, pine crowned, draped with
dainty ferns. Above it the misty air
seems like amber, the sky is of melting
gold Below. the sea, with its emerald
light and foam crested waves and flame
opals Of light. And where the reeds
seem to thrill with the wind stands one
ike lily queen,
a miracle Of snow and gold.
1t is Miranda on her island. She looks
at Roy with fearless, innocent but tender
eyes.
She lives! 1t would hardly seem a
miracle if she stepped forth and touched
his hand. All this is geniusl He recog-
nizcs it with a groan.
And the man whose cunning hand las
done the work is lying there dead 1t IS
nothing TO him now, that he would have
won the prize What are earthly laurels
10 him, who sees the amaranth's death
less bloom? What are all the triumpls
or the toll TO one on whom new day
dawns in the land where there shall be
no nighti
Il must take care Of this picture. 90
said Roy. He would have given II TO
me. and it will not do to let it fall into
the hands Of
lie had rolled it up with this thought,
and hearing the door open turned to face
Il yirago.
80, some one at last. And how is it
that YOU make your way into my house
and ask no leayel The doctor II IS who
has forbidden
The poor fellow is a friend Of mine,
and if you viii get 4 little wine, l think
he is in q FAINT.
"Wne2 An. 0ut hear! Does he not
owe me fifty francs? And he was to pay
with his grand prize, and here lac has
escaped-died out of pure malice-to
cheat me. But will have all-all he
has had the grace to leave. Typhus, too;
that frightens my dodgers. All, | am
lone woman, and haze no one to take my
part.'
"Typhus" cried Roy, looking at the
bed with fear for himself seliishly
springing up in his heart. Here. take
this, and will send some wine for him.
He offered the woman money, and
then stopped once more over his friend
There was no pulse.