Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-10
HER NAMES
SHADOW.
By ESTHER SANCBORN.
Copyrighted. 1903. By Associated
Literary Press.

Ii she had not been named Berry,
perhaps Miss Stanhope would not have
thought herself SO hopelcssly plain. so
thoroughly and utterly unattractlve
But that name-so beautiful. so poetic.
al. sounding like an utterance In one
short burning word of womanly
beauty almost divine-was as a curse
TO her.
1t made her morbid. She shlvered
lest people learn ii and smile ut the
| lncongruity.
| Superconscious of her angles, her
lack Of color and dark circlcd eyes. re-
wondered why she had been named so
anonymously. She almost cried when
wizened old woman with n parch-
ment skin. In charge of a fruit stand.
answered TO the name OF Violet
What would she. Bcryl Stanhope. be
like twenty-five years hence?
She could not free herself from tho
tormenting thought. In old age. with
uglincss intensified. she must still hear
the musical Beryl applied TO her. a
name designed for round, milk
skinned creature. with hair like corn
silk and eyes the color Of calm sea,
| the cool. restful blue that Is more
nearly green.
She was reasoning TO silence her
ever renewed womanly hunger for
beauty of person when she tapped at
the studio shared by her brother and
Lindley Wood. Her brother was out.
but Wood was painting feverishly, n
seldom seen exultation on his serious
face.
Come in. Miss Stanhope." he called
Hospitality. Dick Will be back In Il
jiffy. We are both making hay while
the sun shines this week. Miss Cuyler
is kindly posing for US. and she leaves
the city Monday.
Beryl had not glanced ut the model
throne. but ut this she turned quickly
and caught her breath with n little
gasp. \ girl with the sheen Of corn
silk in her hair and eyes like lapis
lazuli sea was silhouetted against u
background Of pale green plush.
\ sharp pain that Beryl did not
know was envy shot to her heart as
she drank In the sumptuous coloring
Of the nonchalant beauty. Recovering
her composure with an effort. she re-
turned Miss Cuyler's greeting and
stepped forward.
Are you and Dick working on one
theme. Mr.. Wood?" she asked. "May
seei"
Not one theme" answered Wood.
'Dick Is doing an Andromache. but
mine Is only study. an ideal head.
I'll be very glad Of your criticism.
Miss Stanhope. My work fails to sat
isfy me-"
Lindley Woods pictures usually re-
ceivcd praise from his friends sister.
but for once there were no exclama-
tory remarks. After long look she
drew back a step with heightened col
or.
Wherefore the nameT she asked
iiuus iliiiy.
'Beryl?" said Wood unconcernedly.
touching up the round white throat on
his canvas THAT Is just a fancy Of
mine. Haven't you names to 1T your
ideal types? I would not think Of
painting blond Judith or dark
Rosamond. I've always had liking
for the name OF Beryl!-with boyish
eagerness-"an Miss Cuyler happens
to look my conception Of it. Do you
like the poseF'
Every mueh." she replied. thankful
she could say so honestly. But there
was strange infection In her voice,
despite her effort. Lindley Woods
keen ear caught II, and he responded
with swift artistic intuition.
You see something wrong with IT,"
he exclaimed. II want to know what
II Is! Be frank. and tell me why you
do not like my Beryl."
The living Beryl trembled foolishly
as she buttoned her coat. Seek to
please the institute committee. not
me-" she laughed MY opinion is not
worth that doleful expression. Mr..
Wood Tell Dick shall expect him
early" And. with nod that included
the model. she left the room.
over their tete-a-tete dinner that
night Beryl tried to question her
brother about Lindley Woods interest
I'm Miss Cuyler. But she could not
Her brother had been strangely pre-
occupied Of late. and table CONVERSE
tion was monosyllabic.
Wood hasn't been here for some
time" he remarked suddenly. and
Beryl. surprised in her thoughts. was
glad that the doorbell spared her
n reply. When Dick returned his
friends name was not mentioned.
Bcryl sat reading in the little parlor
when her brother went out ito pay
some calls" he said evasively. When
the door closed behind him she drop
ped her book and assumed ease.
Pacing up and down the rooms. she
assured herself that she would go TO
work MT something presently and for