The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-05-08
A NOVEL ENGAGEMENT.
Telling Of a Girl, Two Men and Two
Pictures.
BY ARTHUR HALES..

(which do you think she will
choose, Jack?"
Dick Halston turned from the two
oil paintings as he spoke and looked
anquiringly at his friend
The latter raised his eyebrows and
slightly shrugged his shoulders.
Honestly, l never thought she
would agree to our proposal" went
on the first speaker, nervously.
Jack Steadman laughed.
"a woman's love of novelty, Dick"
AAfew moments passed in unbro-
1 ken en- sil1ce' then Halst0n spoke
Hang ALL" he burst out, 81
can't stand his suspense! 1t is only
,half-past tW b, and she won't be here
Until after -four. I'll tell you what.
Mck, l ann going to run down to
enhattan. This waiting is making
as nervous as a woman. l shall
Es fool of myself If she chooses
Zr painting. You don't mind?"
mo"
But the word was reluctantly spo-
n. However, Halston did not no.
g it. He caught up his hat.
Goodbye, old chap. And you will
me know as soon as possible? If
chooses your painting, just wire
pne word, mine and If luck is
me, yours l shall understand
e wrung his friends hand.
lood luck to you, Jack-although
means the reverse to me, doesn't
T4e door slammed behind him,
ina Steadman heard him bound
own the steep stairs two steps at
me. He gave low whistle, heaved
sigh, and then, thrusting his hands
ITO his pockets, he fell into pro-
ND thought
two artists had long loved the
girl and she could not choose
h them. The state of affairs
n the trio grew from bad to
until there came day when
two friends said that it was un-
rable, that she was running their
eers, and they implored her to
sent to plan which they pro-
led. Their proposal was that they
puld each paint her portrait from
|mory. No names were to be af-
ed to the pictures, and when they
= finished she was to choose be-
them. The artist whose paint
chose was to be her husband.
de1nurred for while, but in
gave her consent.
he had not gone" NUT
oman. "It's awfully hard
re alone"
and paced the length of
several times, coming at
standstill before the two
be canvases a girls lovely
d out. In the actual paint
was little, if anything, to
(ween them; yet, in looking
Dtne one, you involuntarily waited
Tor the girl to speak; in the other,
You expected no such thing.
How on earth did Dick get the
soul into his?" exclaimed Steadman
savagely. "It is splendid" he NUT
tered. Splendid"
He turned abruptly and fell to pac-
Ing the studio again. The girls eyes
seemed to follow him with a half
smile at his discontinue.
He threw himself into chair with
his back to the pictures. But soon,
as II against his will, he had moved
the chair SO as to face them again.
"Whx doesn't she conner" he cried
>rcely, STARTING to his feet.
Then a demon rose up within him
hd whispered:
What If she chooses his? You
now It is the better. Look at that
Jose she holds so carelessly in her
Pngers; can you not fancy that you
bmell its fragrance? Don't you 'ex-
pect her to step out of the canvas
- speak to your"
NSteadman drew his hand across his
brow.
mo one would be the WISER" the
voice went on. "Dick would go
abroad at once. You know he swore
he would. Then something could
happen to the paintings fire
they would be destroyed. Better
pluck the flower that he has run
away from! He was not man enough
to see the game out. Treachery?
Nonsense! They would never suit
each other. .bntl6Qu-you could, you
would UH1 happy. You feel
hat pr side you could
he efudio IN fha