The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-15
A PORTRAIT.

Two children, a boy and a girl, stood
before a painting that hung upon the
wall. The boy gazed with all his soul
in his eyes, dimly conscious, perhaps
of what the picture would some day
mean to him It represented a soldier
mounted on a black charger. and the
mans face was eager, ardent and earn
est With sword in his uplifted hand
he seemed urging men to battle.
The little girl indiffereutly glanced
at the portrait from time to time. she
had seen it so many times. and then
too, patriotism had not vet awakened
was proud in the thought, however.
that she possessed something OF alb
sorbing interest to her new neighboT
Finally. she began 10 relate the story
she mad heard 50 often.
You see, it's really true man, and
he painted himself on papa's horse.
Those are the clothes he wore in bat
tie
"Humph." said the boy scornful-
". locking at her with the superiority
derived from his sex and his four years
seniority Those aren't lighting
clothes LuciIei He's on parade"
Lucille wondered va guelE-Gnat that
might be and then begged him to come
and play"
They played for many a day to come,
and then the boys parents moved to
another city.
seven years LATER he came back for
a visit. He had now attained the great
age of seventeen, and when he had met
his former playmate. who had just
proudly entered upon her teens that
ong-looked-for period, he said most
condescendingIy
why. this must be little Lucille Fell
toni"
straightway Lucille felt she hated
him. and they spent a few weeks Of
turbulent companionship in strife.
I thought you were going to be
soldier" she said one day, like the
man on horseback in the picturei'
Whats the use of being a SOLDIER
he laughed There are no wars. I'd
rather be the man that painted the pic
ture than the soldier he represents
Let's go and look at it again
Papa gave it away-to the man who
gave him the horse"
Ten years passed before Paul Willis
saw his little playmate again. It was
evening of a summer day at a fash
fonable watering place He had just
arrived and was instantly surrounded
claimed his attention and recognition
after his years of foreign travel Look
ing bevond the little group about him
into the ballroom his rowing gaze was
instantly caught and held by the vision
of a girl with a pair of wonderful dark
and deep eyes. an exquisite face and a
quiet dignity in the carriage OF her
svelte figure.
who is she2'' he asked of the man
nearest him. and even before the an
swer came he knew the name would be
Lucille <7elton."
Look out.' he was warned. LUCILLE
cannot be accused of flirting but she
attracts all men and always turns them
down
She saw him coming across the room
and knew him by the winsome brown
ewes t.-a< were still the eyes of the lit
tie boy she had played with years be-
fore
"oh. yes,' she said carelessly. as he
recalled himself to her memory Z
remember all my old plavmates"
Then she turned to a man inmacu-
late in evening dress who claimed her
for the waltz.
Paul Willis stood gazing after them.
all his ardor and impetuosity dampened
by her no1chalant greeting. She smiled
softly to herself drought the waltz
The little Lucille FELTON, at thirteen
had at last been avenged. All the even
ing he watched her dancing and chat
ting with her partners. always gay and
careless. His whole heart went out to
her.
Just before the last dance he found
an opportunity to speak with her alone.
He was tongue-tied from this new
strange feeling
Are your parents weIl2p he finally
asked abruptly. = shadow came over
her face The fan she held trembfed.
Did you not know2 They died four
years ego.
said
And the old home" she continued.
lifting saddened eyes to his. burned
down and all its contents.
She was more beautiful still with this
sudden sorrow in her eyes.
And yOu-where is your home 2'''
I live with my sister, Mrs. Lothrop
In your home city,
Then others came up TO her and he
was outside the little circle.
But the next day and the many that
followed showed no more OF her mo-
mentary softening. and she resumed
her old careless manner toward him
The season ended. and they both re-
turned TO the city. where he became a
frequent caller at Mrs. Lothrop's- Al
ways was the longing in his heart, but
Lucille did not relax
Her sister chided her one night after
he had left them
HE loves you. Lucille she reDroach-