Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-07-16

and his growing hatred for toll In his
fathers squalid general store; how, at
his fathers death-his mother he had
never known-he had gone to st. Louis,
where he had clerked by day and stud
led art by night, until, with $1,000
saved, he had come to New York and
entered the League. He had spent
three years there, and then had buried
himself in the Jersey woods, living
like hermit in hut of his own build
ing, and painting from dawn to dusk,
fair days and foul.
"And now" he had ended. they're
beginning to know me. I've sold q
few canvases, mostly through Rgyteg.
Ruyter ,heli"Mow' is for the Academy.
It's going to take year; but it's good,
it's the best l have in me-and it's go.
ing to he hung"
"Oh, do hope SOP she had said,
earnestly.
'I've never doubted It," he had nm.
swered, simply. ITS big stake, but
Pm going to win"
And so that first year had passed.
and the second of their friendship was
three months old. Beth had not been
so happy for years; the former haunt.
ing sensation of being alone, no long.
er troubled her. She had found a
friend and a comrade. The friendship
had grown on the part Of each into
an affection; each would have denied
the existence Of anything stronger.
One afternoon-the morrow was the
last day for receiving canvases at the
Academy-he entered her room and
sank silently into his accustomed chair
She looked up questioningly from the
silver buckle on which the was work
ing.
FINISHED" he said, gloomily.
docs it 80 to-day?"
Tomorrow! it i.n', quite dry yet
l. suppose l ought to be glad, but
he smiled forlornly-"I only feel rath,
er lonesome" He filled and lighted his
pipe. do you care to see it again?''
"Oh, yes" she answered, eagerly.
Upstairs he drew aside the following
cloth. and laid bare the canvas OIL
which he had to.led TO: almost year
1t was large, six by four, and undoubt.
edly an ambitious effort for what
might be called a first picture, yet the
result was so splendid that the artists
faith in its success seemed justified
He had called it "August''-a wide,
far: eachiIg eXpanse of salt marsh rib.
bOned with blue, breeze ruffied water;
along the horizon dim purple haze
suggestion but no more of the city
against the clear sky reat white thun.
der clouds rolled high upon each other
in majestic grandeur; over all the hot
golden sunlight Of m.dsymmer. Beth
could almost feel the he|t and see the
sedges in the foreground bend and
rustic in the sea breeze. The picture
always made her hold her .'reath for
Il SPACE, and to-day the eject was
stronger than ever.
ITS glorious" she whispered final
ly.
you like itY he asked almost
eagerly.
II love it! But"-she sighed"
it makes one hate the city, doesn't
it,"
His eyes lighted. yes; and we're
going away from the city," he said
with ring in his voice. "Were
through work for to-day. and we're
going-there! Get your things on"
But can't" she faltered, and
obeyed.
Outside, he locked the door and
handed her the key. II can't trust
myself" he explained. II might give
you the slip and come back and work
Oh It,"
That was day of days. Winter
regncd kindly. They crossed the riv
err, and spent the afternoon in the
woods anC along the edge of the
marshes, returning long after the city
was aglow. They had dinner at a
cafe, for when one has finished a pic
ture that is to bring fame and wealth
economy is sinful thing. Back ii
her studio they talked until late, and
life was very kind and sweet.
The windows were gray with the
cold dawn when lie awoke suddenly
and stared about him. In a moment
he was out of bed and had thrown oper
The hall door. Smoke, thick and sti
fling drifted in. At the bottom of the
staircase well orange light danced ant
glowed. Throwing his clothes OH, he
lifted the picture from the easel and
staggered with it down the first flight
The smoke made him choke and gasp
The next flight was miles long. Al
the bottom he dropped the picture
and as it toppled against the balustel
he leaped to Beth's door and knocked
loudly.
"Who is there?" came the question
at once.
ITS Mr.. Tlmson. The house is OF
fire. There's no danger. of course. bu
you must come quickly"
yes" she answered, family.
He .uried his face in his elbow
leaning against the wall. Once III
started impetuously toward the pic
ture, only to turn back. The crack
ling of the flames drowned even th,
noise at the door. Then Beth stood be
fore him. white faced, anxious eyed
but unafraid.
"Down the stairs, quickw he cried
"Tll follow YOU"
"You mustn't stayw she cried, fear
fully.
"The picture" he answered. go
please" He seized his burden again
and staggered down the hall. gaspin.
and lurching. There he found he
crouching OH the top step. He pu
the picture aside. and caught her In hi
arms.
Hide your face" he said.
She struggled, sobbing. mo. ne
Let me GO. YOU mustn't leave it,
"Ill come lack for it" he answered
quie,ly. Courage little girl; It's jus
for minute"
Then he plunged town the stairs
past writhlng tongues Of fame. Set
ting R.tl imam her feet hp lpI I'm