The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-02-11
RETR|BUT|ON,
BY PHILIP A1TERBURY.

was at work at my easel one morn
ing when ] received a visit from a
lady who was a perfect stranger to
me. ! arose to receive her and was
about to ask her how could serve
her when she said eagerly:
where is Edward Borland"
Edward Borland.'
Eyes. Do you know where l can
End him"
II never heard Of the gentleman"
you painted the picture 'Retribu-
ton didn't you. on exhibition at Mar
tine'sT'
II did"
From what did you take my like
ness? l never sat for you"
my good lady, will you explain:'
Explain. Why harrow my feelings
by forcing me to tell the distressing
story when you must know it already.
Else how could you have painted that
awful scene?"
What awful sceneT'
do cease the pretense of ignorance.
suppose 1t was he who told you
My bewilderment was increasing
rather than subsiding, for noticed
resemblance. though very faint one.
between the lady before me and a fig
ure In the picture to which she re-
ferred In fact, was dumfounded |
did nothing but stare at her. She went
on speaking in her quick, excited way.
| her ewes filing with tears.
ut was all my fault urged him
to take the money and speculate for
me. The stocks went down. Ten
days after the loss was reported to me
by the brokers he had learned Of it
and made it good out Of his own
pocket. Indeed, he wrote me that
there was profit The stupid brokers
called on me for margin during his alb
sence, at the height of the panic. He
had distinctly told them to look to
| him and by no means communicat"
with me. But why did you call your
picture 'Retribution| At the moment
/ reproached him he had ordered
check sent me for $4,000. ! received
it after he had gone"
| A light was beginning to break in
upon my brain. l had read Of cases
where persons had fancied themselves
| the subjects Of artists work. and it
| struck me that l had met with an in
stance. | was interested in the lady's
story. Might not be of service in re-
! storing to her person she had
| wronged? The picture, too, CORE
| sponded with the scene to which she
referred. \ woman was reproducing
man who had >wronged her, while he
stood with bowed head, receiving his
chastisement The woman was the
principal figure; the man was in shad-
ow and his face not distinctly visible.
l concluded to temporize with her.
"And did he not defend himselff"
asked
"No: he simply stood and looked at
me in establishment His figure in your
picture doesn't show his demeanor
at all"
"He left you with no explanation"
"Nonc whatever Ten minutes after
his departure the postman left his let
ter containing his check for what
had given him-the profit. Profit, in
deed. The transaction cost him $500
| pondered. while she went on lnco-
herently in the same manner as be-
fore. Finally | said to her. IF you
will leave me your address l VIII see
if can do anything for you"
There. knew all the while you
were acquainted with him and that he
gave YOU the information which led
to your painting that picture. on
ulease do tell him how sorry | am for
what l did"
Yes. if find him.
The lady departed somewhat COM
fnrted. but by no means confident that
would succeed in gaining for her
the forgiveness of the man she had
} wronged.
How | found Edward Borland is a
matter between me ard man | paid
. Cor Going the work. When | met MT
Rorlaud he supposed the meeting was
casual. | pursued the acquaintance
: and invited him to my studio. where
| had the picture from Marines con
, spicuously displayed on an easel,
watched him rs he looked mt it. The
woman's face evidently interested him
y, Where did you get your model To-
= that figure" he asked
/, This was Il beginning. Before n
I left nv studio had told him the stor,
of nv visitor and her Illusion. Whel
" his wonder Mt the singular occurrenc
l. had given place TO thinking ON tn
=. situation between himself and tn
lady saw his face harden. If | ei
i fected n reconciliation ! must use tn
e utmost adroimess.
.. "She was very bitter" he said, "whe
she supposed had lost her money
y Naturally" | remarked.
she gave me carte blanche to q
rs | thought best for her. TO win {
lose as the market rose or fell an
when it fell she reproached me-
q AS was TO he expected from an
woman and as would be the result
= the case of most men. Women don
Ii possess the poise to stand that sort
- thing. Granting that You were eXcu