The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-01-25
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MISMATED
WILLARD JONES
y Is


Copyright. 1901. BY Daily Story Pub. Oo.)
TWO men and two women, two ro-
| mances and two tragedies-and
the sequel, that's all.
But stay, perhaps 1t was four ro-
mances and four tragedies. Judge OF
that for yourself from the story.
1t was all natural enough-the most
natural thing in the world, and very
strange and unconventional, too. Two
splendid young fellows, two attractive
girls-all comrades from childhood.
One young fellow an artist by nature
and environment, by heredity and cul
tivation; the other matter-Of-fact boy
gifted with an allotment OF common
sense which amounted, if he only had
known it. to positive genius; and two
girls, one beauty of so rare perfec-
ton that she would fill every aspira-
ton of the most artistic mind-form,
features, coloring. expression, all so
perfect that she would have been an
ideal model for any painter, sculptor
or poet; the other peculiar sort OF
girl, with none Of the conventional at
tributes OF beauty, irregular-eyen
hOmely- of feature and complexion,
and SO far devoid of attractions and
graces as to repel rather than attract
admirers and friends, except that she
was 1.-THE OF body and springy Of step
but gifted with a fire of eye and
vivacity Of movement and of manner
that compelled attention and admira-
ton even while the keen analysis and
biting sarcasm OF her original mind
repealed 1t. With the one there was
the attraction Of physical perfection,
with the other the more insidious in
fluence of essential vitality.
OF course, Clarence Cole. artist that
he was, was enamored OF Gracia, with
her soft, correct lines and rich glowing
color. And equally, OF course, John
Bedwell. became the slave Of Alice
Beattie.
And here lies the story.
For years all four had been chums
and companions. Clarence and Gracia
|, had been accepted Juvenile sweet
hearts, as also had John and Alice.
So, in the natural order of things there
were two weddings, and the four
young people were paired Off In matri-
mony as they had been AS sweethearts.
took wedding trip together and set
tied down to live happy ever afterward
after the manner Of heroes and hero
ines in all well-regulated stories.
And now comes the strange part OF
1t all.
Odd as 1t may seem. after these two
well-paired young couples had been
married for a twelvemonth and had
lived most happily, it all began to pail
upon all four of them-in a way.
For the first few months Clarence
lived in a perfect dream OF bliss All
of the perfection OF Gracia's physical
perfection sank into his artistic con-
seriousness. And Gracia-well, what
more had she to desire than this hand
some and talented consort-perfect In
form, manner and devotion and adj
vancing all the time In the estimation
of the world!
And yet there was not the most per-
feet harmony Of life and impulse with
these two-sad as 1t may seem. Clar
ehce sought,-alas. in vain-beneath
the surface perfection Of Gracia's won
derful beauty the real attributes of
character promised so abundantly. And
he found them not-alas and alack. he
found them not! He saw all the prom
ises turn to ashes and finally suspected
that his beautiful wife was but a whit
ened sepulcher-from his point Of
view OF course. he asked too much
being an artist.
And Gracia? The long months
brought to her also the bitterness Of
dead leaves. Her handsome and tall
ented husband did not yield to her the
alteration and happiness she had 40
warmly craved. She could not guess
why, but there was something lacking
something real and essential to her
nature. AS the months went by he an
peared more and more to her az a
promise than a reality. She was not
at all an idaalist; she wanted to see
and feel-not dream.
3 And SO they drifted apart and came
almost to desp4ss enc another, because