Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-07-13
THE
Face on the Canvas.
THE
By Zoe Anderson Norris.

1t was at the matinee. The curtain
had fallen upon one-act farce and
the house was darkened for the bio
graph.
Two girls sat in the left-hand box,
chatting together. Their faces shone
Whitley in the half light. The lines
of their profiles were SO delicately
fine that many turned to look at them.
Last night" Mabel was saying,
81 dreamed of muddy water. kept
dreaming of it all night long. 1t came
on and on, rolling up to my very feet.
The waves were big, turbulent, threat
ening. I was afraid"
ga sign of trouble" muttered
Frorence, "that is, unless it cleared.
Did it clear?"
Mabel frowned, She closed her fan
mn tapped it impatiently against the
palm Of her other hand
"No, it didn't" sheanswered; "but
what difference did that make? Do
you believe in dreams and signs and
wonders and all the rest of that tom
foolery?"
Florence pressed the tips of her
gloved fingers against her mouth to
conceal yawn. 'Not necessarily"
said she.
The fact of the matter was that
dreams and signs and wonders were a
part of her religion, but the matinee
was not exactly the place for heated
discussion. Besides, she was Mabels
guest.
"When did you hear from Arthur"
she asked with quick change of sub
ject. Arthur was Mabel's soldier
sweetheart.
''That is the trouble" sighed
Mabel. 'T haven't heard from him
for ages, but am expecting him home
daily. His regiment came last week,
but he was not with it. Perhaps he
stopped somewhere to rest. 1t is a
wonder they didn't all die down there
in that oven of place." Then under
her breath she added, 81 hate that
dream of muddy water"
81 thought you didn't believe in
dreams" exclaimed Florence.
81 don't, but
She was interrupted by the ap-
pearance of 'Me and Jack" upon the
canvas. There was ripple of sub
dued laughter as the little girl fell
from the ropes into the water; the dog
swimming coolly off and leaving her
there.
Picture after picture was then pre-
sented. There was the naval parade,
the warships passing up the Huds on,
the yachts skimming swiftly in front
of them, partially obstructing the view
Of the sailors who stood like white
statues along their decks; next Hob
son walked leisurely down the deck of
little cruiser; then review of the
troops at Tampa was announced.
perhaps it is Arthur's regiment
that is to be reviewed. whispered
Mabel clasping her hands ecstatically
together. "Oh, I hope so!'
There was drum beat and before
dim vista of white tents the troops
passed in review.
''Their faces looked sad," said
Florence, "and they walk as if they
were tired to DEATH
A white dog, the mascot of the regi-
ment, occupied the centre of the can
vas for second, soldier following.
A piece of paper foated along be-
hind. Then came row of six stall
wart men. The man in the front sud-
denly turned his face toward the audi
ence. He looked straight at Mabel.
His eyes were hollow and sad. Intense
weariness was stamped upon every
line of his gaunt features.
Mabel leaned eagerly forward. She
laid hold of Florence's arm.
''Look, Florence" she gas2ed.
'Took, it is Arthur"
1 In moment the face was gone from
the can vas, others had taken its place.
the drum ceased to beat, the review