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

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and there. until, satisfied at length. he
took a long step back, and then, with q
sigh of contentment, threw himself into
a chair, the better to contemplate his
handiwork.
"Dick,' said Clare softly; but the sculp-
tor did not hear her.
Dick" she repeated, and still there
was no reply.
She took a step toward him, moving so
that she could see his face. AT the sight
of it all the color left her checks.
She hardly recognized the Dick OF her
everyday experience.
His face was changed, TRANSPORTED by
an expression of such absolute rapture as
Glare had never seen ON any mans face
before.
Instinctively her eyes followed the d.
rection OF his own.
Phyllis and Corydon." Two images
modelled in cold, dull clay. Clare's blind
ed eyes saw that and nothing more. They
did not see the exquisite grace and beau
ty of the work, the poetic delicacy Of its
conception, the mastery skill OF execu-
ton.
They only saw-clare,s rival. The
a%potheosis of all she feared and hated, the
thing upon which Dick lavished that
measure Of his love which lie denied to
her.
A wild, senseless fury took possession of
her.
She flashed one glance at Dick. That
was enough. 1t was "Phyllis and Cory
don who held him enthralled; 1t was
phyllis and Corydon"-
A mallet lay among the debris of i'm
plements, blocks of marble and plaster
casts that Uttered the floor of the studio.
1t came within Clare's line of vision.
Then for one mad moment the girl lost
her self control.
She seized the mallet and, will a little
inarticulate cry OF rage, leaped forward.
There was a dull, soft thud. and the
next instant a broken mass OF clay lay
scattered upon the ground.
The mutilated stumps Of phyllis and
Corydon' stood, calm and impassive, upon
their pedestal.
why did you do this?" he demanded in
a lifeless voice.
Forgive mel she said. II was mad!
/ din't know what 1 was doing. oh, for
give mel"
II don't understand" he said, and
shrank from her touch.
She fell on her knees at his feet and COW
cred her face with her hands.
II was mad-mad!" she sobbed. And I
hated 1t SOL"
II don't understand" he said again.
II hated 1t b-ecause-because 1t had
robbed me OF you,'' cried the girl. II was
mad with Jealousy, and-and, Dick. I love
you so!''
And that is how you showed your love-
he returned. and the simple words stabbed
her like a knife,
For Gods sake. Dick, don't speak to
me like that! Don't look at me like that!'
she moaned.
Get up, Clare" he said, not roughly.
but in the cold, passionless voice that sent
a chill to her heart.
She obeyed him. trembling with remorse
and fear. and sank into the chair he
placed for her.
Tell me again what you said just
now" he commanded. ~ am dull Of COM
prehension tonight. or else
He passed his hands across his eyes.
II think l have never really known you,
Clare" he said. $50 you came here to-
night for the purpose of destroying"
Not that! 1t was no deliberate act of
mine. Dick. Dick, you can't believe that
of met"
why did you Gomez" he asked.
II came because-because-oh, shall I
ever make you understand? I was miser-
able, Dick, and sick for the sight of you.
l have been Jealous always. though you
never guessed it-jcalous of your art. your
work. Then-that w~oman-Alice; you said
she was beautiful, and I-oh. 1 didn't un-
derstand myself. I think 1 came to-see
her-to see-oh, Dick, you will desptse
me-"
Eagerly, hurriedly, her voice broken
VIVA sSpS' oAoA wv u ~
full confession.
He listened patiently. and, in a meas
ure. he understood, because he loved her.
Glare" he said slowly, "Alice, at least,
can be no rival of yours
even as he spoke they could hear the
shuttle Of clumsy footsteps outside in the
vestibule, and a woma.'s voice raised in
shrill defamation.
II tell yer e won't mind. silly owl!
Knock an then trot in; that's the way
with 'im!"
Steady on! Don't be in such a bloom
In Jury, my dear!!" a male voice pro-
tested in a lower key.
Dick hurried to the door, but before he
could reach it the owners of the voices
appeared within the room.
Alice" exclaimed Dick, what are you
doing here? Haven't l told you"
a right, guv'nor,' Interrupted the
male visitor, apologetically. He was a
stupid, good humored face. We're off in
q minute. She would bring me-.
"'E wanted earry1n' In. 'e did," re-
marked Alice, contemptuously.
Glare looked at the speaker in a kind of
dazed wonder.
Was this really Alice, this young woman
in the dirty blouse and patent leather
boots. whose language and demeanor sa-
vored Of gin shops and the Borough
Road? Even to Clare's Impractical eye 1t
was clear that the girl had been drinking.
Her face was flushed. her utterance
thick. and as she stood she swayed slight
ly from side to side.
And yet Dick is right" was the swift
thought that followed the first shock i'm
parted by Alice's condition. I'm different
clothes and under different circumstances
aA9 would be a lovely creature"
Ell can't have you here like this said
Dick shortly. Take her away at once"
he added, turning to Alice's apologize
companion.
You ear that, old lady?" demanded
the latter; whereupon Alice remarked that
she heard, right enough. and volunteered
to push the young mans face in for him
Il she had any more of his sauce.
In the alteration that followed 1t trans
pired incidentally that Alice had brought
her bloke" to the studio in order thai he
might inspect her counterpart. glorited
by the costume Of an Arcadian sheo-
herdess.
When Alice's understudy eye caught
sight of the ruins OF her glor: she burst
into helpless, foolish tears. and was with
some difficulty led from the scene by her
faithful adnircr. And SO Dick and Glare
We're left alone together once more. with
the shattered remains Of phyllis and
Corydon" between them.
Fol- a while neither spoke. For her part
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