Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-02

nounced hiS years, for Dick!
As for Chi feelings, manlike
he forgot the ore truly, he mis-
judged them, roaming but that
Dick, gay, ha g, versatile, and
clever, as perl bnly Mark knew
would prove a bme substitute for
himself. In this wronged Christa-
bel. but even the bst earnest and far
seeing of us can but follow the die
tates of duty, blind to result.
So it was that Mark paid his debt
with his hearts love, and Dick, for
whom the sacrifice was made, never
even guessed the truth. Indeed, had
the matter been fully explained to him
he would have laughed Incompetent
sively at what he called 'old Mark 5
queer ways"
Artists, both Dick and he, Mark trod
the uphill road to success with plod-
ding, painful steps, while Dick, with
genius at his finger tips, bounded up a
fowery path to the same goal.
Mark watched Dicks achievements
with qualification in which envy had no
part, while in all the world there was
no one for whom Dick Turvil felt SO
much affection and respect as for Mark
Armstrong.
To Dick, who accepted his own clev-
erness with the humility of true great
ness, it seemed incomprehensible that
SO much perseverance, energy and tai
ent as Marks should go unrewarded.
But recognition came slowly-cruel-
ly so-and when despair seized Mark,
Dick came to the rescue.
1t was an unfinished study over
which Mark had spent many an anx-
ious day, and then laid aside.
But Dick. with his true judgment,
had selected this and none other for ex-
hibition, and when his friend had de-
INJURED he had laughingly insisted and
then himself finished the incomplete
foreground, and, despite remonstran-
ces, sent off the picture.
During the time that followed neither
gave the matter much thought. In
Marks mind there fingered the con-
viction that his work would be rejected.
1t would be his usual luck, and he
awaited it with stoical calmness. His
surprise can be imagined when the pic
ture was not only accepted and well
Ahung, but the papers teemed with
praise of the new artist
But, alas! for Marks peace of mind!
Aspoke enthusiastically of the mar
rs power of the painting of the
found.
Pne distracted, Mark rushed with
VS. to his friend. Something
g done. Exist as living lie he
not; notices must be published
be papers discovering the fraud
that were not his take
belonged to another?
~ q dss!ce, Isl Sks--io Or I'M
frying circumstances was moth
t of perfect He was very up
e turn things had taken, not on
account-but because old Mark
30 badly.
ard his friends despair in ST
I'D then did his best to com
OF course the truth must not
1t would never do; people
understand, they never did
bosh about the foreground
fortunate circumstance all in
Marks cursed luck
eture was a success, and Just
the silly fools on the papers,
re celebrated for their dulness
recitation of talent, had chosen to
Sap idiotic allusion to one part of
hH ting, was Mark to make an ass
4elf before the world?
Diok spoke and Mark listened and
rsted, but finally was overruled.
laps the horror of the publicity
would follow such a disclosure,
the latent belief he had in his own
yer, deferred him. At any rate he
4ained silent on the matter
Perhaps the hardest trial was Christ
abel's letter of delight at his success
Christabel, his yet unbalanced love, for
whose sake he was greedy of fame.
That he must needs deceive even her!
The burden of his unearned reputation
told upon him. He grew silent, mo-
rose; work was his only solace-work
and the thought of Christabel.
He must, he would, win honest fame
If the coy dame fortune, would not be
gently courted she should be wooed
after the fashion of Petrouchio, and
compelled to be his.
And at last, blind as she had been for
so long, fortune did smile on her per-
sistent suitor, and he could with truth
tell himself that the honors he now en-
joyed were his and no others.
linen, IOOklng round 2IUef the nara
Hstruggle, he realized that Dick was not
beside him, that in the swim amongst
the breakers that beset those who seek
for fame Dick had stayed behind in the
\ shadows on the shore, and was still
Naughing his life away with the child
rem there.
With a quick rush Of shame, the
sense of his deep obligation to his
friend came over Mark. The thought
that he had, as it were, forgotten him
seemed the basest ingratitude; to have
surpassed him, grotesque presumption.
So that, all unconscious eff the feeling
that prompted it. Dick received let
ter from his old friend. couched in per-
haps more cordial terms than had
marked the days of their closest friend
ship, and once more the two were
companions, companions as Of old,
though no longer the same.
For just as effectually as money
transactions often terminate friend
| ships of years, SO did the obligation I'M
der which Mark fretted cause a re-
straint between these two.
Even Dick felt there was something
wrong. In his ignorance he attributed