The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-20
THE MAN
WHO DREAMED.
BY GILBERT DAYLE.


auCe.
lie laid down his brush and, pulling out
his pipe, proceeded to fill it leisurely.
Presently he was reused from his re-
Elections by the sound of light footstep,
and, looking round, saw young girl APP
preaching him.
"Not teatime yet, Joan?' he cried.
She smiliugly shook her head. She was
a pretty girl of 81, with steady gray eyes
and II complexion ms clear as 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 a glance at the
flush on her cheeks.
II think it's splendid" she said, ''the
best you've done since you've been with
u.s.
SONY fair to medium, l fancy. I've
never got beyond that, you know" he
added thoughtfully.
The girl glanced at him and saw that
he was gazing seward in vacant fash
ion. 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 a slight start and laughed
softly.
"Thank you, little girl" he cried. "But
even your kindly comment doesn't alter
the one great undeniable fact"
what was the life you mapped outF
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 a tiny spark of it. l was
to be a big artist, paint wonderful pic
lures that would bring me lasting fame
and position. / was to lead a dazzling
life see the world, mix with its master,
explore its treasures. My hopes one by
one have disappeared, until now you see
me as | am, my very small private in
come and the proceeds of selling my pic
lures to the dealers just enabling me to
lead life in quiet out of the way place
like Peneith.'
His eyes rested for moment on the
clear roofs of the tiny town; then he turn
ed round quickly to her with a smile.
"You see, | am reconciled now" he
said THE months l have spent here
living in the house with you and your
aunt have been the best, thing in my life.
We've had jolly time together, haven't
we?"
Joan rose to her feet. She was smiling
now, and the color in her cheeks had
deepened slightly.
Eyes, we've got on WELL" she said. 81
must run on now to see about tea-mind
you are not more than a quarter of an
hour" she added in a laughing tone of
command as she hurried away.
She walked swiftly along the road to
the town, her head bent in thought. The
daughter of a Cornish clergyman, Joan
Hesketh had on his death found herself
practically penniless.
She had gone to live at Penelth with
her aunt who, owing to a stroke Of Ill
fortune, was obliged to let a portion of
her little house. Thus it was that War
grave, the artist. had come to live with
them some Is months ago. What his
presence now meant to the girl she her
self only knew.
She brushed tear from her eye as she
entered the house.
HE only dreams of the past" she
murmured, a half sob in her voice. 'He
will never know
A few minutes later Wargrave was
plodding leisurely along the road, his
easel under his arm. Looking ahead, he
curve and as it came nearer he saw there
was only one occupant, a lady. Catching
sight of her face, he gave start of sur
prise and came to an abrupt halt
She had seen him, too, and had given
an order to the coachman The next mo-
ment the carriage had drawn up in front
of him, and, with white face, he was
staring at the woman who so smilingly
held out her hand to him. She was about
30. remarkably handsome and dressed in
the latest fashion.
81 came down to tell you," she said in a
low voice "Vansittart has been dead two
years. | am free again, and a wealthy
woman"
She was looking straight into his eyes,
and he gave slight start. Uttering a
soft exclamation, she rose from her seat
and stood by his side.
Eyes, in those old days, Austin, you
loved me-" she cried quickly. "You
thought me heartless. but that wasn't
unite the right word. l loved you, but l
knew nv temperament. / wasn't born to
he the wife of a struggling man; poverty
would have made me miserabe; We
sboud both have been extremely unhap-
nv. I did what you lnow-married ii
rich man. Now l am free, | come TO you
acoin. il isn't too late, Austin--we are al
most young still"
He PASSED a hand over his forehead.
YOU would be willing to marry me
have me live on your money!!
She laid a hand gently on his shoulder.
..NIoney is absolutely of no consequence
IN mr.. that part Of the arrangement
y-orid never cross my mind. We may
not lave as we did, yet think what il
would mean. Austin! / should have the
husband | would have chosen-you some
~ vorr dreams realized. Everything
+bat lies at a rich mans hands will be
vours-you can leave this narrow life for
10 did not speak The suddenness of
the thing had sent his brain in whirl.
"If not love. an artistic comradeshlp,'
she said softly.
..ID the days when We were together
vou rave up your last penny to satisfy
my 7vbirr. now let NE show you the beau
+ies Of the world-iet us enjoy them To-
ca+bar It is lot good to see you mere
with all your ambition killed
So she talked, and he listened with Inc
blood throbbing through his veins. Frrs-
entIv she had to go, and he accompanied
Lo,. n the station. Then, when the tram
rod finsIlv vanished from sight, he turned
snd walked down to the seashore. Ii ne
consented. he was to go up to LONDON 10
,lo,.ro,v they were to be married and I'M
1,1;o+oi,, 70 start for long tour through