Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-25

teytSxH-Et SiiS A--Nb ANbii III 81. u pltNo-
gszasJ cious boy artist. talented. but
untaught. he attracted the attention of
the wealthy family, and they gave him
employment to further his ambition.
Soon he came and went among them
like one of the family. patronized 10y
Herman. who was his senior. and ador-
ed by Olga. whose playfellow he was.
He was a handsome. sturdy youth
with hair that fen in rich. black clus-
tiers over his white forehead and eyes
that sparkled with buoyant life and
purpose.
There was never word of love be-
tween this boy and girl. 1t was the
true spirit of comradeship. But they
loved each other without knowing that
it was love. because life was fresh
and sweet to them and the days were
long for playtime and dreaming. Their
happiness was unclouded until the
time came when it was determined
that Karl should go away to Paris to
study and that Olga should be given
the finishing touches of her education
that she might take her place in So
ciety.
Then the comrades became sweet
hearts. When they were to be sent
away from each other they knew that
it was love.
"Ah, Karl, shall be so unhappy
without you" Olga said.
But | will come back, Olga, a great
artist perhaps, and you will be prouder
of me than ever"
you will forget me away in Paris. -
"And will you not forget me, Olga"
"Ah, never, my Karlr'
Karl took her in his arms then and
| kissed her.
Il love you, Olga. / will not forget "
The years went swiftly for Karl in
his studies, and the love of a youth
goes readily to sleep. AS for Olga. she
mourned her sweetheart sincerely fol-
many months, but there was much in
the world that she was learning about
and the few relatives she had were
busy with her future. Young Herman
| Hoffman,. grown stout and serious
and taking part in the business affairs
of the family, loved her for her rare
beauty. and they We're married. Kar
came back, famous, painted portrait:
and lived the life of a young artist.
Hoffman, had become banker ant
man of importance He was SLOW
and somewhat pomnous in speech. bu
he was loyal in his friendship for Kar
and devoted to his beautiful youn.
| wife. Karl came and went ii thei
house almost as he had in the OLE
days. Never once did he or dig;
speak of their old love to each other
Each believed it dead. For Olga thi
was not strange, as she had her hus
band, whom she believed she loved
her home and her social life. He
time was taken up, and Karl was onl.
daily incident.
The young artist came back to ;
consciousness of Olga's beauty ant
sweetness. She had adopted a ma
ternal air toward him which he fount
vastly diverting Sometimes Their,
throbbed in his pulses a beat of tn,
old fervor. but he had himself well il
control. His emotions were not way
ward He told himself daily almos
thttl hc ~Nl5ei 40 a siotCi. III
it was significant, although he neve
admitted that, that he had to tell him
self this same thing very often.
Thus sped the six years of olga
contented, unruffled life. Karl livet
in his studio, where notables came +
be painted and models posed and flirt
ed, and an old manseryhnt looked
after his clothes and his comfort.
was a spacious apartment. richly fur
nished in the trappings which artist
love- There he lounged and worked
but in all the six years Olga and be
husband had never been there. Kar
desired most of all things in the worl,
to paint her portrait. but he did no
: dare to ask. Olga never spoke of II
and it was not until Herman himsel
brought up the subject that It was eve
: discussed
One. evening at Herman's house
when Karl had been making som
sketches. Herman said.
Karl. why haze You never painte
a portrait of Olga? She is more bear
J tiful than any of your models or you
! patrons"