The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-05-27

square at the Wind tossed tres and the
leaden sky, mo the rain that had been
pouring in torrents all day long.
1t was a dreary. desolate prospect,
but the giri's mood was in harmony
with the weather. She knew it and
took g morbid pleasure in the cempar-
ison.
Yet truth to tell, Glare had no bust
ness with dismal thoughts. If she had
only known it, they were of her own
making. But she did not know this, and
her misery was very real to her.
To Clare's friends 1t seemed that she
possessed everything the heart Of wom-
and the love OF the best fellow In the
world"
Well, that was their point of view;
Clare's was different and 1t happened
that when, according to the judgment
Of her friends she should have been
happiest she was often most miserable.
There is tragedy as we'll as farce in
such q situation and q hairs breadth
divides the n from the other.
Glare was no less in love with Dick
Stanton han he was with her. Yet
there were occasions when her love
meant only u~nspeakable wretchedness
to her.
Dick was poor, but it was not his
poverty that troubled Glare. She be-
lieye1 in the young sculptor's genius,
In hiA. ability to climb the adder tina
led to fame ana fortune. She knew
that sooner or later the day was bound
to come when Dick would be rich. re-
spected, his name a power in the world
of art.
ALREADY he had taken the first firm
step, upon that ladder. and soon he
would be able to offer her the modest
home that would content them.
1 nNhora "oC M Pn1r1 ,.,,l~,,, A., C1,,,N
She we'd Dick, and she made no secret
of her desire to become his wife.
The strange thing was that, though
the girl realized hat 1t was by means
OF Dicks genius that her dearest wish
would be fulfilled. she looked upon that
very genius as her greatest enemy.
From the very first, almost ever since
Ing Jealousy of the sculptor's art and
his enthusiasm for his art had torment
ed her.
Many a time in the days before he
had confessed his love for her she had
watched him when he spoke of his be-
loved work. With a strange pain at
her heart she had seen the light leap
to his eyes and the color to his cheeks,
and even in those days she had vague
ly hated the curious, Intangible power
that could move him thus.
And now-now that she had a claim
upon him-she llad learned to look upon
Dicks art as upon some dangerous rival
to herself that was forever threatening
TO come between her and his love.
For a time he had succeeded In lifting
her very ear to heaven by the ardor
of his T"oine. He had thrilled her
with his eager, passionate words.
II love . with all my soul, with
every beat CT my heart" he had said.
There is no thought of mine that does
not belong to you"
She had listened In an ecstacy of
happiness. n for a time she was con-
tent
Then one day she realized that the
great love he professed for her was not
the all-absorbing passion OF his life Of
which she had dreamed.
She saw that his art Still occupied a
cherished place in his affections. and
the slumbering demon of jealousy once
more awakened in her bosom.
She tried to st1fle the pitiful, con-
temptible thing. but 1t was too strong
for her. The fear of it haunted her day
and night.
And all the while Dick was absolutely
unconscious of its presence. He made
no secret before Clare of his devotion
to his work. He gloried in 1t. and, man
like, he took it for granted that his
sweetheart shared i'll his enthusiasm.
AAiiN h-tS tti AN vi iSl llCoS,
did not care to undecelve him.
Dicks studio was but a stones throw
from the square in which She lived, but
Glare seldom entered it.
Now and then she paid a brief visit
to the place to inspect some piece of
sculpture that he wished to show her,
but she never came to him there while
he was at work.
AT first he had reproached her with
the fact.
why do you despise my poor work.
shop?' he demanded. Think of the
beautiful hours we could spend to-
gether! With your presence to inspire
me. l could work twice as well.'
I'm not so sure of that" she retort.
only disturb You. And If it didn't" she
added, with a little laugh that hid the
tremor in her voice, IF it didn't, |
shouldn't like it. You see, it would be
SO humiliating to be ignored in favor
of clay and marble chips
He smiled at this way of putting the
situation, and he little guessed that the
girls words. so f~.ippantly spoken, might
be taken seriously as expressing her
whole attitude towards himself and his
art.
One day Dick came to Glare with a
radiant face.
My darling! Here is good news for
Sou! ne crled 1oyfully. More work
has come to me-important work. A
rich American has bought my Amaryllis
and he wants a companion to 1t. He
came to the studio just now. Only
says he's going to discover
me! That's his way of putting it, not
mine. Dearest, think Of 1T! Our time
is coming!"
He drew the girl towards him and
clasped her to his breast, and for one
brief m she was happy. Wis first
thought had been for her!
Tell me-" she asked presently, what
Is to be your subject?"
Phyllis and Corydon,'' he returned
with a little grimace. "Hackneyed.
isn't it? But 1 can't help myself. Mr.,
Van Martin chose 1t. He's left the treat
ment to me, though. That's a great
deal to be thankful for. must think
OF something new and then hunt for
suitable models. l have my eve on
Corydon. but the lady puzzles me. None
of my present models would do at all.
Now for inStance"-
He talked on excitely half to Glare.
half to himself. and soon he appeared
to forget the girls presence altogether.
Drawing out his notebook he threw
himself into the nearest chair and be-
gan to cover sheet upon sheet with a
rough peEc.t Sketches, as idea after
Idea chased each other through his
restless brain.
Clare watched him in angry. rebel
lious silence. The tears of humiliation
and di"SaDDOintment rose To bar ava