The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-03-02


PIOTURET
wrinkled corners, hint of age fur
ther carried out here and there in the
hair by touch of tines silver strands
showing through the soft hued brown.
1t attracted some attention from the
writer's, and friends told Carroll it
was distinctly good. Otherwise it Gre
ated no stir. 1t was one of half a
hundred others equally creditable to the
artists and would probably bring de-
cent enough sum when placed on sale.
Yet somehow Carroll liked to look at
1t, probably because 1t brought back to
him memories of that Virginia sum-
mer when be feared he was close to
death and Of the gentle spinster who
had nursed him past the crisis and
mothered him through a happy conva-
lescence.
His own mother had died when he
was very young, and as he lay on his
bed of Illness watching her sweet face
as she moved about the room it gave
him joy to pretend that he was really
her son. and 1t grieved him to think
that perhaps years to come might be
both lonely to her and full of trouble.
One afternoon when he stood half In
a reverie of remembrance before the
picture he was conscious that an eld-
erly man near him was evincing more
than usual interest.
He fumbIed for his glasses, turned
the leaves Of the catalogue until he
came to the number; then the eager
ness died out of his face. and he turn
ed away. But he came back and again
looked upon it with no concealment OF
his appreciation.
The stranger noticed Carroll when he
started away the second time and
stopped to ask him:
"Do you know anything about the
picture?"
"Why, yes, naturally. painted it."
"You are Mr. Carroll, then. was
going to hunt you up. Is it for saler'
the older man inquired.
"Wen, you know we artists have to
live. Few of us paint for fame alone.
SO 1t is like the rest. Only l hope it
goes to some one who will appreciate
it. The circumstances of its painting
are dear memories"
Are yoa-are-you her-son? Tell
mer' And the questioner put a trem-
bling hand on the artists shoulders.
mo" replied Carroll. 81 wish | was,
or, rather. If my own mother had lived
I. think she would have been like her"
\ f"Can you spare me the time to tell
me the circumstances you speak Of
that is. If ycr will? Thank you. bu
not here. Let US go to my house.
live near" And he led the way cut.
''It isn't much of story except In 1T
personal appeal to me-" began Carol
a few moments later But ! presum
two women are alike | know you un
derstand how fond l am of her.
'Last spring l was threatened witt
fever and was told to get out of tn
city. | found a quiet place owned b.
the original of the portrait, and sh
took me in Unfortunately | did no
escape soon enough, and the feve
caught me. There was no one witt
her but an old servant. and l asked t
be moved into the nearest town.
"She would not hear of 1t ant
nursed me on journey to deaths doc
and back again to the sunshine to tn
trees and the birds-and life. 1t L
something that one cannot explain
her tenderness. her motherliness ant
the sense of comfort. Of love even, 10
a stranger that she gave to me.
"Her entrance would light up m,
sickroom; her presence was bette
than all the medicine In the world
Frankly, she is the dearest. sweetes
woman / have ever known. | wa
only two when my mother died
That's about all, think"
mfr. Carroll" his host began. Il hav
never met you. but am perhaps know
to you. l am Judge Johnson Lee Car
ter, and l am from Virginia. When
was a hotheaded young man l was Il
love with girl who is probably TIL
double of the lady in your picture.
loved her devotedly. madly. sir, ant
she loved me. But ! was headstrong
SIR, and l quarreled with her one nigh
and came north.