The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-10-08
THE PICTURE.
BY MARIA LEIGHTON.


Hated Arlington was the Ameri-
can forerunner of school of French
artists which arose in France not
long after his death. After the first
inevitable wave of bitter opposition
to a new viewpoint, the young school
was enthusiastically accepted as art.
But this recognition did not some in
the lifetime of Hated Arlington. He
was not able to arouse even antago-
nism. He received neither praise nor
blame. His work was simply ignored.
The unOrthodoXy of the American
artist ESQ ran the unconscious
thought of the critics) was not worth
the ink used in attacking it, while
an artistic alteration originating in
France was quite another matter. His
last picture represented the conse-
Grated work of months. When COM
pleted he knew it was his MASTER
piece, but before the colors were
scarcely dried it was mysteriously
stolen from his studio A remark
able newspaper article, sensationally
announcing the theft, and describing
the picture with singular sympathy
and appreciation. appeared, but
though 1t warmed the heart of the
artist, his picture was never recov-
cred. He never completed another
canvas and laid aside all earthly bur
dens soon after.
It was one of those cold, easterly
rains that are anathema to the visit
or to our Atlantic coast, but to the
native of these shores are as his life
and blood. In such storms the ocean
breeze, sweeping up over the shipping
and wharves. redolent with tarred
rope and myriad pungent doors
blended together, comes to the nos
tFils Of sea lover with tang which
StirS his blood as draught of rare
old vintage warns the veins of the
inhabitant of gentler cline.
A woman, thinly and poorly clad,
emerged from the doorway OF dwell
ing situated in one of the poor lodg-
ing house districts. She seemed not
to heed the storm, but with the di-
rect, unwavering pace that bespeaks
definite destination, forcing her way
against the wind, she proceeded in
the direction of the water front.
Turning from one street into anoth-
er she finally entered winding thor
oughfare from whose dingy looking
buildings the gilt balls of the pawn
broker here and there Haunted their
tawdry gilt, accentuating the shah
biness of the grimy walls.
A well dressed pedestrian, breast
ing the invigorating gust with the
keen relish of New Highlander, had
noticed the woman soon after she
had left her own door, and partly
from curiosity and partly owing to
the natural stirring of sympathy for
her pitiful appearance, and vague
purpose Of helping, he had followed
her. With the directness of famil-
iartty she turned into one OF the
dark door ways over which was stiff
ly suspended the symbol of the money
lender. Some desperate need had
driven this woman out on a day like
this, and the man unhesitatingly en-
tered the shop after her. An un-
framed picture lay upon the counter.
In the gloom Of the unlighted room
it cleaned with the richness of a
gem. His heart leaped as he Instant
ly recognized the lost picture, the
only surviving work of his fathers
hand!
The lynx-eyed pawnbroker took
the picture to the window and care
fully scrutinized it by the dull light,
while Hated Arrington's son studied
the face Of the woman. 1t was G.
fined and honest, and must at one
time have been beautiful. The out
lines had been touched to sharpness
by the gaunt hand of want, and an
guish Of mind had traced its paths
about the mouth and eyes. The pawn
broker returned and offered her a
small sum for the picture. AIRING
ton STEPPED forward before she had
time to answer. II wouldn't give it
mp to-day" he said. with tone Of
authority and finality With star
lied look the woman yielded and all
lowed the stranger to wrap the pic
ture up, and together they left the
shop.
Il will buy it Of you," he said,
when they were outside, ''for some
thing nearer its true value"
Through the wet streets they rap
idly wended their way back to the
mean house from which the woman
had come. Silently he followed her
to room under the caves.