Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-23
The Argus Daily Short Story

Copyrighted 1908, by Associated Literary

To begin with, she was not a moth |
er, but it had pleased the young artist
to give the picture that name because
it was his ideal of what his mother
would have been if she had lived.
In real life she was a quiet little
person. just over the brow of the high
way of years. journeying softly. placid
ly down the smooth path. for the win.
ter of existence lay hidden beyond
turns in the road. and she had not
glimpSed it yet.
vases of the exhibition, nor was it
hung in the most desirable lights re-
served for the great. vet it was well
placed. for Dean Carroll. though
young had in measure been recog-
nized. and there were people of dis
cernment who looked for his work.
The composition had been cleverly
| conceived. 1t showed a vcranda cor
| ner of what was evidently an old ruin
Of country house OF half a century
ago. The big French window. the
half of an old colonial pillar and a
| general air CT shabby gentility made
| fitting frame for the sweet faced wO-
man who sat In the modern wicker
porch chair. n magazine on her lap.
and who looked straight out of the
picture.
| To one content to revel in the de-
light of it all it showed Il happy moth
er speaking to some stalwart son who
had brought her good news or per-
| n IA ,--tth NV
| ing of love.
To the critic who sought to know
why it pleased him the greatest charm
seemed to be in the eyes. Carroll had
done wonders there. and they seemed
to carry message of mother love
that had known no anXietieS. no sleep
less nights of wondering where some
wandering boy was resting ard pray
ing that God might watch over him.
They were big, brown, expressive
eyes. with the slightest suggestion Of
wrinkled corners, hint of age fur
Their carried out here and there in the
hair by a touch of times silver strands
showing through the soft hued brown.
1t attracted some attention from the
writers, 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
it. probably because it brought back to
him memories of that Virginia sum-
mer when he feared he was close to
death and of the gentle spinster who
had nursed him past the crisis and
mothered him through happy conva-
lescence.
II His own mother had died when he
was very young. and as he lay en- 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 it grieved him to think
that perhaps years to come might bt
both lonely to her and full of trouble.
III One afternoon when he stood half IL
a reverie of remembrance before The
picture he was conscious that an ED
erly man near him was evincing NOR,
than usual interest.
He fumbled for his glasses, turned
the leaves or the catalogue until III
came to the number: then the eager
ness died out of his face. and he turn
ed away. But he came back and agail
looked upon it with no concealment q
his appreciation.
The stranger noticed Carroll when b
81 started away the second time an
y stopped to ask him:
ri do you know anything about tn
Nl picture?"
Ri why. yes. naturally. painted 1t"
SCI lyon are Mr.. Carroll, then. wa
mi going to hunt you up. Is it for sale?
the older man inquired.
Ml "Well. you know we artists have
N live. Few of us paint for fame alon,
N SO 1t is like the rest. Only hope
81 goes to some one who will appreciat