The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-15

and selflshness about the pouting
mouth
He was lost in a maze of thought
when a voice in his vicinity aroused
him.
How thoroughly peaceful that fig
ure looks. Utterly calm after terrible
strife"
A lady and a gentleman were stand
ing close to him, and the former made
the remark to her companion. This
artist sighed as they moved away, and
pondered on the remark while a great
desire took possession of him. Just to
be at peace. To obtain a respite from
the worlds toll in some way. Would
he ever gain that end? Something told
him he would, but how?
He reused himself, however, and
rose from his seat, knowing that not
yet was the time to give in, and, with
a last look at the picture, turned away.
He left the gallery braced up by
his recent thoughts, ready to continue
the struggle to whatever end it lead
him, and made his way to leep his
appointment.
The dealer was a stout, fussy, pOmp-
Gus man, with a muddy, or, TO use a
more polite term, olive complexion,
and a cast Of features which was not
| generous. He glanced through his
gold pince-nez at the artist as he en-
tered the ROOM, n played Ostenta-
tiOusly with a heavy gold watch chain.
He seemed hardly 20 remember his
visitor, who quickly said he was here
| nv oip{D 7, ont did rn+ offo- hin, n
chair, but after a pause, replied, All,
yes, er-this, I believe, is the picture
you left here, and | think | may be
able to do something with it, but err
your not being very we'll known, /
cannOt"- here he stopped with a
supercilious look OF surprise, for his
visitor had made & remark.
The dealer, while speaking, had in
dictated a largish picture which was
leaning against a chair.
This is not my picture" was the
remark the artist had made.
ooh, indeed, isn't it?'' replied the
dealer, snappisnly, then what did you
leave?"
Il left three landscapes with you
the other day. That looks like my
parcel and his heart sank as he in
dictated : corded package which bore
signs of never having been opened.
"Oh, yes, yes" said the dealer, in
an Indifferent tone, half turning to his
table again. Il am sorry, but really,
you know, We nave very little sale for
that kind OF work just now, and l am
afraid it will not be of much use your
leaving them here any longer. Sorry.
OF course-hOpe [ may be able to do
something with you on some future
occasion. l hav your address, I think.
Good day"
A few moments later the artist
found himself in the mist and drizzle
of the street with his pictures under
his arm.
The gloom seemed Intensified, as
with a curious feeling, which was half
keen disappointment and half a pain
full sort of relief-for he never really
built upon success in his inmost mind,
and the tension was now relaxed, as he
knew the worst-he put up his UNI
brella and walked along aimlessly.
Suddenly it seemed to him the sun
shone, and a better aspect came over
the day, as he perceived two people
before him talking on the pavemnt.
They turned toward him, and the
face of the one was simply the en-
bodiment of the vision continually be-
fore his minds eye. Her companion
he knew as a well-tO-do young stock
broker who had paid her, at one time
n another, a good deal of attention.
Whether it was a certain half
ashamed look on the girls face, or his
noticing the we'll cut clothes, glossy
silk hat and gold mounted umbrella
of her companion, one could not say,
but the artist suddenly became pain
fully aware that his we'll worn great
coat was looking shabby, especially by
contrast, and that his boots bore signs
unmistakab1e that their owner
walked n did moi use hansoms.
The thought showed itself in a flush
that sprang to his face, to quickly dis
appear, however, leaving a paleness
that had not been there before.
The girls greeting vas not a warm
one, and the stock brokers salutatlon
consisted of a nod and a brief Glow
dye do?"
The artist felt a sudden, mad, I'M
reasoning anger toward the man be-
fore him, against his well-to-do ap-
pearance, and it was with difficulty
that he forced himself to ask the girl
if she were returning home.
"Oh, no." she replied, quickly. MIR.
Bullace has kindly got tickets for a
matinee, and we are going there after
luncheon. The parcel looks a heavy
one"
Yes 1t contains some pictures
which have been rejected by a dealer
tnis mornine'" with a note of defiance
in his tone, RS though daring either
OF them to pity him Or remark in any
way On the fact.
OH" said the girl. There was no
sympathy, no interest of n kind
conveyed by her exclamation, and the
man at hor side woarirr , 1oo1- If eY,