Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1906-11-24
THE CHOICE.

D"N OitSiiS9I Ndi coSIlS the ieu Soiu Vi
the singers hair. The artist sat. clasping
his knees, staring out at the twilight.
Beautiful" he murmured, as Estelle
finished.
Brahms love him." she answered.
He makes the heart sing. You are tired,
Paul?"
Paul Warden smiled into the twilight.
"Luxmiously tired. l have worked
hard the last fortnight, and now the pie
ture is fnished-think of it, Estelle, fin
ished. 1t was grind-fnished today
by superhuman energy, and tomorrow is
sending-in day. A race against time,
Ell? But / am satisfied. | shall never do
better work. 1t really is good. | have
no conceit-you know that. Estelle-but
man must be conscious of the worth of
his work so why not declare it? This
was an inspiration"
And you will not let me see it ~
NO"
You are cruel"
''Iou shall see it in Burlington house,
or not at all If it's on the line
Il really don't see why it shouldn't be
| if have fair play-if it's on the line and
a success it will mean so much to me-"
He turned and looked at her. He had
never spoken plainly-he had little
money, and she had none beyond what
she earned as a fairly successful singer
but had limited so markedly that she was
fully aware of his admiration
1T is sure to be a success" she said
The Royal academy gang encourage
mediocrity-it is their safeguard" he an
swered. But | have hopes | want it
to be a success. a big, unmistakable sue
cess. because" He did not finish his
sentence. As a matter of fact there was
no need for it. Estelle could easily sup
ply the unspoken words.
In the pause that followed the door
opened, and a man was ushered in by
servant. Estelle welcomed him warmly;
Paul rose stiffly.
Hugh McWhinnie was the youngest
academician. Rather a sound painter
than a brilliant one. his indomitable per-
severance had been early rewarded He
was now only little" over 40 years of
age, big, strong-faced man, growing
little gray at the temples.
A year or so before, Warden, as a stu
| dent, had painted in his studio, but now
both men were conscious of something
approaching rivalry. MeWhinnie had
been a friend of Estelle's father, and
when Estelle. flushed with the possession
of the certificate of merit from the Royal
| Academy of Music, commenced her career
as a contralto, his friendship and ener-
getic aid had smoothed many difficulties.
"Ah, Warden" MeWhinnie, r. A.. said.
Resting after your labors? You are
sending in, of course?"
One canvas. / cannot expect to have
more than one accepted. | am unknown,
and you academicians and the associates
monopolize so much space"
Much better occupied by others, Ell
| We do not all exercise our prerogative,
though. l am sending in one only"
Only one?" Estelle asked, in some
surprise
Il have sent three to Germany, and
two -pOrTraits-objected to ex-
hibition. | gave in They were unlovely,
and such common sense in women was to
be encouraged"
| Warden trifted away quickly. He in
variably did when McWhinnie was pres
ent. He was little mtolerable of the
elder mans material prosperity. Paul
Warden was sultanic in his attitude to-
ward woman. That his wife should earn
money for herself and not be entirely de-
pendent upon him, was an intoerable
thought 1t was that attitude which
made him refrain from speaking to Es-
telle.
In the meantime the presence of
wealthy man-McWhinnie made an ex-
cellent income from portrait painting
was disconcertmg. 1t was almost incon-
ceivable that youth and beauty should
choose mediocrity and middle age, but
Paul acknowledged the power of money
with the frankest cynic:sm of youth
McWhinnie smiled rather sadly as
Warden left. OF late, Estelle remem-
bered with wondernent, some ghost Of
sorrow lay hid in his whimsical smile.
Ambition holds our friend in thrall."
he said "A colossal ambition! When
he sets it forth in all its bravery | want
to say to him, You have such palaces in
Spain, why envy me my little Burlington
house, Paul Warden has talent,
| though"
More than that. Guardy," she said
enthusiastically. He WINGED a little at
her atfectionate name. Two years ago,
when he first buttonholed acquaintance
and insisted upon their helping Estelle
for the sake of his dead friend. her ia
Their, the playful adoption of him as guar
dian was pleasant. Now it measured a
chasm of years between them.
Eyes, more than that" he acknowl-
edged.
"He is full of imagination" she con-
tinued eagerly. He has the immortal
fire of genius! He is untrammeled by
tuadition---"
Yes" The fire flicker played on her
hair. her eyes shone UNANIMOUSLY in the
twilight, her eager face was now ilumi-
mated. now in shadow, state of sweet
tantalization. And all its eagerness was
for Paul Warden.
Il am so anxious for Paul TO succeed.
1t means 50 much to him. So very much :,
Yes But to no one elseg" Tho son.