Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-04-09
An Artists Secret
BY FRANK HARDY

friend, as they fingered over their
s~siessert in the dining room. The man
servant had placed the wine upon tna
sanIe. and softly Withdrawn.
why, / have not seen you for
don't know haw many years 1t is
aud yet you say you must rush off
again tonight
1T is just fifteen years" replied the
rather man in his deep voice.
Lawrence's hand trenbled as he
soured out the wine. and some fell on
ghe cloth.
Dear, dear!" he said fretfully.
'EIiram Strong noted the trembling
aand and irritable
Oh, | remember. the last time |
sszw You was when my aunt died,
lawrence. He raised his glass to his
8fps, but put it down again en- the
faple untouched, and Hiram saw there
exaS q second crimson spot upon the
asfuth.
~~Times have changed with you
since then he said, with his pleasant
smile your name is in everybody
FIouth now"
Yes said Lawrence. 81 suppose !
gave been successful. You must come
sYp into the studio and see some Of my
work. Have another glass of wine.
though, first.
.ghey rose a few moments later and
went upstairs 10 the great, lofty
st1aios at the top of the house.
~Well, you are pretty comfortable
- IS -.aIasr,~J IItrav y, nc If- apae
reped round the exquisitely furnished
gcoxn. lighted by softly shaded cleo
trio lamps.
He made a prolonged study of the
pictures, which stood unfinished upon
the ease1s, and then he went on a tour
AZ inspection round the room. He.
~sSxae up to Lawrence as he stood by
the blazing fire.
"There is no mistake, old man." he
said that you have a wonderful gift,
"a rnost wonderful gift"
Il suppose ! have" admitted Law.
rveuce, and then he added, with a bit
Stsr, hooking laugh: cat least, am
fashionable! The world runs after
xnv. and what more can a mar want
9han Tsat?'
Tie ifung himself moodily into a.
~har. but only for a moment, then he
ruse and began to pace restlessly up
and down the long room.
Suddenly moved by some ove".
vSheIming impulse, he came mp close
Cd him.
~TTiram. old fellow" he said husk-
EIy. 'Ilo you remember that once when
VSe we're young and wild I did you d
Sood turn"
Il remember" answered Hiram.
Wm you do one now for me-" he
asked. His face twitched and he was
5eath1y pale.
Yes" said Hiram. with the same
gravity and deep attention.
He sat in the armchair before the
'1fps 139e pallor of his face contrasting
sharply with the crimson velvet
esnshions.
After a few moments he looked up.
~T look like a successful man, don't
iET &ss asked, brokenly.
Hiram laid his hand affectionately
u1Yaon DDS shoulder.
rYUu are certainly not like the
needy, happy beggar. always cut at
ING elbows. that I remember" he
Sad, -'but l think you are not we'll to-
might
~ICs-ns-my nerves." said Law
Eence 7 should nave laughed ut such
al idea in those-days. Can't sleep,
and an that sort of thing, you know,
and your-risit tonight has rather up
zet me"
TTe passed his head over his fore
Mead. Suddenly he turned in his chair.
~Ro you remember he burst out,
when we last met? IL was down at
wzv aunt's place in the country. Do
ysa remember the night she died? 1t
rs Just fifteen years ago tonight he
Spoke in a harsh voice. barely above
- whisper.
~TpsL." answered Hiram. But why
distress yourself now about that? No
Iodg Codla have been more attentive
10 Ihe old lady than YOU were, |
know you watched her night after
1afsh@'
Don't" Interrupted Lawrence,
1iercely. 'Listen-listen to what
nave TO say.
~Oh, my God" he cried; how you
ArIpg it all back to me again THAI
szzS@t, Shaded room where she lay I'M
snanscious hour after hour. | insisted
aaoa being alone with her thai night.
Tue doctor, he came about ELEVEN. He
yn5d me that my aunt would probably
ggsfsasa about one o'clock, He gave me
Ehsz little bottle of red stuff. He told
1Ie," ne went on in GREATNESS, jerky
sentences, that she was to haze halt
Thez. IN water, not one drop more or
&Ss' lie paused.
81 WAS there" said Hiram quietly.
He warned me that I must only
ssHse nor half then. more might be
-EzSS1 IT she reused again later. she
vESs 70 nave the second half, but un