The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-07-04

The Final Reward.
Jack Avery was seated beside an
open window, his mind concentrated
on life's vital question, namely, should
he marry Mabelle Griswold or pursue
his chosen vocation? He, nor she,
were blessed with much of the worlds
wealth, and to marry, thought Jack,
would compel him to work when other
wise his time could be devoted to
study. AS he was pondering on this
subject the ting-a-ling of the telephone
bell sounded. Hastily he arose to an
swer the call. "Is this Jack Averyw
asked a voice. Jack replied: "It is"
"Ambition," said the voice, sis good
asset for one, but life holds something
else in store for man." Avery hung
up the receiver. He was sad, yet
wondered who the speaker was. Again
he seated himself beside the window;
as he did so carrier pigeon flew into
the room, dropped blue envelope.
then departed. Selling the envelope
he tore it open and read: Dear Jack:
Many hours I've sat building castles in
the air! It's all over now! Today l
was married to a millionaire and we
leave tonight for tour of Europe. l
hope your hearts ambition is realized;
but, Jack, some day you may realize
that to be idolized is far better than
the realization, or achievement, of am
bition. l now bid you farewell.
| MabtlIe."
Now that the matter, uppermost in
his mind, had been suddenly decided
Jack was in a curious state of mind.
He knew that Mabelle loved him as he
did her, and concluded that she had
married so that he might be free to
follow his own inclinations. Alas!
why should he struggle for recognition
now? What did life now hold for
him? These and many similar Ques-
tions revolved themselves in his mind,
to fit away unanswered.
The sun rose brightly on the follow
ing morning, I'd Avery was still seat.
ed beside the open window. All night
he had sat there in daZed condition
Finally he arose, and after indulging in
a light breakfast in nearby restaurant
he went to his studio. Everything
there seemed to berepeating the words
"Gone!" Perhaps 1t was only his
imagination, but, try as he would
Jack could not concentrate his minC
on work. A half-finished portrait re-
posed on an easel and Avery took uI
his brushes to complete it, but there
came before him memory picture Of
Mabelle and soon he began to mix ths
; colors; finally he arose to survey tht
portrait. Instead of being portrait
of a patron, there reposed the picture
| of Mabelle. Jack cast piece of can
vas over it and went out to dine. Lat'
/ that night he returned to the studio t.
} gaze at the picture-it was gone.
The unaccountable disappearance o
| the portrait from the studio completed.
: unnerved Avery and he hurried to hi
. boarding place. On a small table h
! found note. 1t read: "Friend Jack
. Dropped into your studio today ant
3 borrowed portrait to exhibit at tn
/. Merton Art Exhibit. Judges hav
awarded the prize to you. Lucky boy
Q Your friend, J. Allen"
]. When Jack read the foregoing b.
Q passed his hand over his eyes as on
8 suddenly dazed by rays of lurid light
t For two years he had been struggling
d with poverty, and trying to win tn
q Merton prize. 1t was two years
t course at an art school in Paris. Nov
Q he remembered what he had told Ms
d belle. "Could spend two years study
q ing abroad then our future would b
:, bright" The opportunity had come
9 but she was gone! What cared he now
g A week had passed, during whic
r Avery had been the recipient Of cor
r gratuIations from friends, when b