The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-01-10
HER PICTURE.


The picture lay, face upward, in the
mire. 1t had a sweet, sensitive mouth,
and earnest, intent eyes, whose serious
regard seemed to plead mutely for re-
storetion to more fitting environments
than the slush and snow of the windy
March twilight. The stalWsrt young
man who lowered above it returned the
earnest gaze with an irresolute smile.
A sOiled photograph was hardly worth
staining ones gloves, but the gaze of
the earnest eyes trsnsfxed and held
him. He stopped and picked up the
bit Of pasteboard, cleaned it as best
he might with his immaculate hand
kerchief, wrapped it within its soft
linen folds, and went his way down the
dsrkening street with the leisurely,
swinging stride that was quite as read
able an index Of the man as we're mis-
voice and smile.
Jack HuyleF was that favored cTsa-
ture, a man with genuine innate artis-
tic talent. The man with talent for
buying and selling, the man with a
talent for languages, the man with a
talent for invention-al these and their
like must be content with the rank Of
mediOority unless financial success in
vest them with its golden halo of rev.
erenCe; but the man who paints pic
lures, though a doubtful Bohemian,
may hObnob with the great and mighty
of the earth, albeit his sole "eXpecte-
tions" may rest on the possibly fOrtu-
nate sale of his last canvas. Whether
OF not Jack Huyler could support a
family by the fruits of his dilettante
saunterings through the fields of art
was a question still unsOlved by the
young man most pertinsciously re-
naming single.
Jack was unfortunately handsome;
for beauty is undoubtedly a misfortune
to its pOssessor, though a most pleas
ing property to gaze upon and admire
impersOnally. Physical charms stand
man instead of those mental graces
which endear him to the fair sex-the
deferential homage, the delicate con-
sideration, the easy grace of repartse
and that genial camaraderie more
pleasing in the eyes Of a true woman
than mere physical cOmeliness. And
his many experiences with the light
headed and calloW specimens of their
kind who openly lay snares for his en-
ticing, dulled his belief in sweet woman
| ly reserve and modest sensibility.
In his own self-conf1dent convictions
to this end, Jack was acquiring a sys-
temstic avoidance of blushing maid
enhoOd. He grew cynical, dogmatic,
and most fRstidious and exacting in
the standard Of ideal womanhood he
eventually reared for himself.
Meanwhile Jack was swinging leis-
urely home under the scuddlng clouds
of the wrathful March sky with a SEN
sation Of actual interest dominating
him. Had the original Of the fair
face now repOsing in his breast pocket
itself confronted him, the fate Of its
many predecessors might have been
hers, but the odd chance which had
thrown it in his way seemed to invest
it with sort Of proprietary interest,"
and, srriVing at his own door and let.
ting himself in, our erring hero made
his way up to his rather sumptous
rooms and struck a light. He set the
photograph on a carved easel; he
lighted tiny lamp beside it which
efused a soft rose color through the
room; he took down some clinging
folds of embroidered amber silk and
draped them about the sOiled edges
He sat awhile in absorbed cOntempla-
ton Of the pure young face that shOne
out like a white star from its clouds OF
rose and amber. Then he rose and
grayely placed before it a Parian group
Of adoring angels.
No, prosperity mad not spoiled her
the sweet, womanly face with its stead
fast eyes looked grayely past its aes
thetic surroundings with the change
less serenity Of q Madonna above her
suppliants, and trans6xed Jacks gaze
with her own. The tender curves Of
her lips we're full Of sweet womanly
meanings; the eyes under the shadowy
hair-sOft, dreamy, starry eyes-held
unfathOmed store of Wit, wisdom, love
and pathos; only a high. truthful, IN,
stained soul looked out Of them.
Jack rose. "Sbe seems to say," be
said meditatively, Ny young friend
what a oOnsummate idiot you are
It was about this time that Huyier's
friends began to comment on his sin,
gular prediction for that last resort
Of entertainers ana entertained, the
photograph album, and an odd habit
he had acquired in that connection