The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-08-18
Her Chosen
Model

her usual models that she found her.
self faltering a more or less confused
array Of questions.
His answers fulfilled every desire OF
the artist yet she was strangely hest
tant about hiring him for model. But
she needed just that leonine head with
it's shock Of red-brown hair and those
massive shoulders for her work; he
was the ideal for her portrayal oil
Strength, Courage and Endurance"
symbolic painting upon which she
was at work. The artist In the CIR
was too strong to admit the intrusion
of unfounded scruples regarding heI
models and she arranged for David
Graham to come to her at ten O'Clock
on the following morning.
Never, in Helen Ford's short career
as an artist, had she arranged heI
wonderful mouse-colored hair with o
view to pleasing her expected models
Yet, an hour before the time set for
David Graham's appointment. she
found herself unconsciously studying
each effect of her toilette. When Da.
vid Graham arrived he was made to
feel that he was a model and nothing
more
| AT the end OF three weeks OF fever
ish work, each day of which had Civ
en- her three hours of David Graham's
! time. she realized the meaning of her
! fears
Miss Ford" Grahams voice star
tied her. IF you are not at a crit.
cal point I would like to stop for to-
day. feel little tagged"
The girl, left alone, turned to lean
YEARLY on the mantelpiece. She gazed
into the glowing Goals.
HE knew was tired" she told her.
self; he is going because l am tired.
| am tired-desperately tired"
For an hour Helen struggled with
her feelings. She knew that in her
present state she could not receive
David Graham again. His forethought
when he knew she was unstrung, had
only quickened the best OF her love
for him.
| At the end of the hour she wrote
note to her model telling him that
she would let her canvas rest for
| IL" Wtehs. one WOulu let MIN KNOW
when she needed him again.
In the afternoon, after having taken
n brisk walk. she returned to her
studio to find dozen of the most per
feet American beauties she had ever
seen. There was no card. After that
they came at regular intervals.
When three weeks had passed Hell
! nm oil hat CD
wrote to David Graham and to Lilly
Drake asking them to come the fol
lowing day to pose.
David Graham greeted the artist as
usual with simple Good morning"
When the other model arrived Hell.
en- posed them as Strength support
Ing Weakness.
Helen felt, rather than saw, that
David Graham was disinclined to put
his arm about the girl model and sup
port her figure during the pose
The artist sketched the figures as
quickly as she could, but she felt a
steady humping in her heart She
herself had arranged David's arm
about the girl yet each time she
glanced at her models the pangs Of
jealousy grew
When the rest moments came Helen
dismissed both models. The strain
had been too much for her. At least.
the two figures lived on her canvas.
AS the door shut the second time,
closing on David's back, Helen Ford
dropped down on the couch and buried
her head in the cushions.
David Graham came swiftly to heI
side. He had turned at the outer door
before going out.
Helen, Helen" He took her into
his arms to still her trembling. Don't
you are only firing yourself"
Helen remained passive in his arms
She was too tired to resist.
Look up. dear-the struggle ia
over. I'm not a model any more"
His words brought Helen to herself.
She drew away and her eyes flashed
defiance at him.
Don't struggle any more" he said
gently. you have loved me for near.
ly six weeks and now ] want to hear
you say it,"
VIII say AOtulnS Vi lne KIM.
Il have the consent of your brother
anyway David Graham turned
toward the door. And won't wait
very long for yours!"
There was something in his voice
that drew Helen 10 her feet
Wait! What are you talking about p
He came back and sat beside her
on the couch.
Only this-Out west used to be
often in the house of one John Ford
On the walls, on the bookcases and
on the mantels were pictures of a girl
who had gone east to make a name
for herself. She refused to be loved
by the many who wanted her and she
went off with the career notion filing
her life. Her family told me that nc
ordinary man could win her from art