Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1901-06-29
The Mon Who Dreaded

IT'D CdSSl vi tllC DiioiS a. 4 y
nelth, putting the finishing touches
to small picture. He was a man of
about IS, his hair Just tinged with
gray, yet not old in appearance.
He laid down his brush, and, pull
ing out his pipe, proceeded TO fill it
leIsurely.
Presently he was aroused from
his reflections by the sound OF light
foot-step and, looking around, saw
young girl approaching him.
"Not tea time yet, JoanP" he cried.
She smilingly shook her head.
She was pretty girl of 2I, with
steady gray eyes, and a complexion
as clear az the Cornish air itself.
Sitting down on the ledge of rock
beside him, she gravely criticised
the canvas.
What say you, O child OF the sea
and winds?" he asked with glance
at the bright young face.
She turned to him enthusiastically,
flush on her checks.
81 think it's splendid" she cried.
"Thc best you've done since you've
been with u.s.
"Only fair to medium, | fancy.
I've never got beyond that, you
know" he added thoughttully.
The girl glanced at him, and saw
that he was gazing seawards in a
vacant fashion. Instinctively she
knew the bend OF his thoughts.
"a failure couldn't have done
this!" she said gently, her eyes on
the picture.
He gave start and laughed softly.
"Thank you, little girl he cried.
"But even your kindly comment
doesn't alter the one great undeni-
able fact!"
What was the life you mapped
out?" she asked quietly.
A momentary CLEAN kindled in his
eyes.
my dreams? Oh, the usual ones
of the young man who does not
know that the thing that has been
given him is not genius, but only
tiny spark of it. l was to be big
artist, paint wonderful pictures that
would bring me lasting fame and
position. ! was to lead a dazzling
life, see the world, mix with its
masters, explore its treasures"
His voice came to stop. The girl
watched him with beating heart; he
was staring into space, tar-away
look in his eyes.
81 had another a little later!" he
went on in low tone. II was still
to do all these things, but not for my
own sake alone-to win "a woman"
He paused and noticed his pipe had
gone out. Mechanically his fingers
felt for another match.
eyes, | loved that woman, Joan!"
he continued. 81 assured her con-
fidently that | would work like
slave to achieve success, that in
short time l would accomplish this
and be able to marry her"
He gave little low laugh.
Fortuna tely for herself, she knew
better, and foresaw my future with
admirable clearness. She settled
the point by marrying an extremely
wealthy man"
The girl raised her head. She was
trifle white, but he did not notice
it.
"And you never dreamed againP"
she asked slowly.
"No, as the years dritted on,
calm philosophy fell on me, until
now you see me as l am, my very
small private income and the pro-
ceeds of selling my pictures to the
dealers Just enabling me to lead a
life in a quiet, out-ot-the-way place
like Penelth."
His eyes rested for a moment on
the clean roofs of the tiny town,
then he turned around quickly to
her with smile.
"You see l am reconciled now"
he said. "The months have spent
here, living in the house with you
and your aunt, have been the best
thing in my lite. We've had jolly
time together, haven't we2"
Joan rose to her feet. She was
smiling now, and the color in her
cheeks had deepened slightly.
Eyes, we've got on wellw she said.