The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1909-11-18
An Artists W00ins
By LOUISE DEFINING
Copyright, by w. O. Chapman.)

that sloped away and vanished to
the southwark were visible. here and
there, distant farm houses. Down the
road a team of oxen wandered slowly,
and on the dilapidated wagon which
they drew, lazy, happy-golucky negro
sat singing. There was not a light to
be seen in the picture, but despite the
general duskiness of the scene, every
thing was distinctly shown and every
feature of the darky's jolly face was
perceptible.
When the members of the eXamin-
ing committee passed upon the picture
they awarded Langford the much COW
eted $4,000 prize, and one of the crit
les made him handsome offer for
something more from his brush. All
this Norman told his friend Stairway,
but demanded that he keep strict 81
lence in the matter. Three days be-
fore his intended return to the north,
Langford visited Miss Manton. If
the girl had appeared beautiful in his
eyes before, she seemed now to be
doubly fascinating. He had never be-
fore seen face so dainty and sweet,
and yet so expressive of noble woman
hood. He doubted if he should ever
see another like her. OF course this
enthusiasm was purely from an art
lists standpoint, he assured himself.
Business was business. He deter
mined to postpone his northern trip,
and call on the morrow, show her
Of III do
her, if possible to sit for her portrait
to him. Stairway had been right
when he said she was good sub
ject"
Norman told Stairway of his change
of mind, and was not exactly pleased
when his jocund friend insisted that
it was "a change of heart" that he
was suffering from. However, he
called upon Miss Manton next day,
secured her consent to his plan, and
the portrait was begun. For two
weeks Norman worked industriOusly,
with voice and smile, as well as brush.
He informed Stairway that he was
making admirable progress with the
portrait, whereupon his friend re-
hill was also nearing completion. And
he was obliged to admit to himself
that the original of the shy. pretty
face that looked upon him with visit
Jul eyes from the canvas was beCom-
ing very dear to him. During their
short period of intimacy he and the
girl had been drawn very closely to-
gether by invisible bonds.
The thought of parting from her
stung him with exquisite pain; he was
facing crisis that filled him with
fear and trembling. Meanwhile
check for his prize money arrived, and
with it letter summoning him to
Boston on important business. He
realized that he must work hard if
the picture was to be finished At last
the day arrived when he put the fin
shing touches to the portrait and
Dora's wide, wistful eyes smiled grave
| Iy upon him from the easel The girl
herself stood beside him, and together
they regarded the canvas attentively,
Norman drew deep breath and
turned to his companion.
Well" he queried, what do you
think of it?"
It's just splendid" said a sweet,
low voice. land I'm sure your north
ern friends cannot be prouder of you
than your southern ones"
There was a faint undercurrent of
sadness in her accents and Norman's
heart beat furiously.
Tell me-" he burst out, impulsive.
ly, ARE you really sorry l am going
Dora"
1t was the first time that he had
ventured to address her by her first
name. and she did not answer, but
stood before him with heaving breast
and dropping head. He caught her
hands in his and spoke in a hurried
whisper:
You are not angry. Dora?"
Her dark eyes shone upon him
with world of love and tenderness in
their depths.
NO, Norman" she said, shyly-'I-
am not angry"
Langford drew the slender, unre
sisting figure to him and kissed her
with tender reverence.
Il have won the greatest prize l
ever worked for, dear" he said, and
they stood for several moments with
out speaking, awed by the silent joy
of their new found happiness, while
the purple shadows of the evening
crept slowly into the studio.