Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-01-30
A Dream and
The Waking

s ing anlmately about art; Mary IN
strange aesthetic array, with the
train of her clinging gown coiled ser
pentwise about her feet and rose
tucked behind her dainty ear.
Gould she be that demure, shrink
ing country girl Robert had escorted
to rural dances four years ago?
Evidently the painting under con.
stderation was the work of Mary's
hands. 1t was the portrait of an
amazingly tall reed like woman whose
scanty draperies seemed in imminent
danger Of slipping OF altogether. Ro-
bert looked from Mary to the picture
and back several times before his be
wildered conscience grasped the signi.
ficant fact of her artistic achievement.
Then, quite suddenly, Mary turned and
saw him.
why, Robert Nearing!" she cried
with anfeigned delight, going forward
with outstretched hands. Robert,
indeed, I'm very glad to see you, real
ly! These festive friends come in to
look at my pictures and drink to my
health now and then" she explained
Jauntily. To the listening group she
said: This is an old friend from
home. Robert Nearing, of Mapleton.
How are you, Roberto" she went on,
cordially. Have you come to stay
in town."
AS matter of fact Robert had
come to town solely to see Mary, but
he did not tell her SO just then.
"Of course, you'll stay for little
chat about home folks" she insisted,
II live here with Miss Gilbert, my
rival in art, and being good Bo-
hemians we got on swimmingly to-
gether."
Robert stayed after the silken
throng had fiuttered out. Mary lit the
pink draped lamp on the little stand
with its half emptied wine glasses.
drew up an easy chair, and seated
herself where the light fell rosily on
her pretty, smiling face. She asked
all manner of questions about the
old friends and her brother, who had
fostered her orphaned childhood with
a parental tenderness.
Robert was a man of fine character,
sternly upright, and sweet natured,
but slow Of speech and singularly re-
served. He had loved Mary in pa
tient silence for six years. during
which his secret hopes had helped him
through much toll and disappointment.
Now that the realization of his am
bition had given him the right to
speak, there was another man in his
light-a man against whom he had
not the shadow of chance.
Are you engaged to marry him?"
he asked presently, in hard, con-
strained voice that quite startled
Mary.
"Oh, no, dear" she laughed. We're
chums-good fellows. He is writer
and, like most of the tribe, poor and
charming. He writes stories about
me and poses for my sketches. Neither
Of us thinks of marriage. We have
talked the question all over and come
to sensible conclusion"
"And you've given up the idea Of
marrying" Robert asked.
Mary nodded and bit of the tip of
the bud she toyed with.
Il don't like the idea of you living
this way, Mary" said the young fell
low, involuntarlly glancing at the wine
glasses.
"That is because OF your absurdly
one-sided view of things" she laugh
ed, good naturally. ut is great fun,
really. 1t spoils one for the humdrum
life of the old-fashioned woman"
THAT is just why l object to it. I'd
rather see you happily married and
settled down in what you call hum
drum life than living as you do here.
Couldn't you paint as we'll, even II
you were married."
Dear, no." said Mary. very posi-.
lively, with a laugh at the absurdity
OF such a thought. Marriage spoils
art. But what of yourself, Robert?
Why don't you take your own advice
and settle down"
Because" said Robert gravely.
"There is only one girl in the world
to me, and she don't want me-"
The smile died out Of Mary's eyes
momentarily.
"I'm so sorry, Robert" she said
simply. Her eyes strayed inadvertent-
ly to the picture in his hand, and she
wondered vaguely if she was the only
woman in the world to Ted Hartley.
''If she should even change her
mind she will find me unchanged I
think she knows that, although
have never told her SO. have loved
her good many years, and always
will love her, but-well, 1t was not
TO be. That's ALL
Then Mary understood in a flash Of
resretful comprehension.
That night Hartley called with the
proofs Of a story which he wanted
Mary to read 1t was brilliantly
written sketch of the decadent type.
In which man of the world had
wooed and won less worldly woman.
II don't like it" Mary told him,
frankly; ut leaves a bitter taste in
tho mouth
Pays WELL" said Ted, complacent-
ly. "And by the way, the story is
q true one."
"Are you the hero, Ted?"
u am" he admitted. unblushingly.
"And the girl-surely she is a
myth"
"Your quondam model, Eleanor
Frost"
Tied, you deliberately made her be.
lieve that you cared"
~ succeeded perfectly, as you will
see in the story"
Mary's eyes hardened and curious
pallor supplanted the rose of her
cheek.
Are You telling me the truth?" she
asked in low tone.
This time-yes."
Now l begin to understand the
change in Eleanor. l used to love to
have her here, her happy presence
was SO infectious, so delightfully."- gen.