Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-29

seen DianaT' she asked. II have miss
| ed her for some time"
"No." he replied: II have not seen
her" A sudden presentiment paled
his face beneath Its coat Of tan. With
nervous haste he produced key ring.
though he knew instinctively that the
key he sought would not he there.
After all these months Of watchful-
ness he had left 1t carelessly In an
open door. and this open door would
reveal to the girl he loved the futility
Of all her bright hopes. Hastily en-
| tering the house. he assembled rear
stairway and. reaching the second
landing. passed on again to an attic
door. The boards resounded beneath
| his tread as he crossed to door
which led into small gable room.
| Joel hesitated a moment as though to
gain courage. then stepped inside.
Upon the four walls finished to re-
ceive them hung many paintings in
costly frames. They We're all here
Diana's pictures-not one missing.
from the first crude sketch to her lat
est triumph. and crouched upon the
! door. her slight figure shaken by noise
less sobs. lay the little artist.
+; "Diuna." the man whispered.
/! She turned upon him fercely. $50
this is what you have been doing all
along" she cried. buying my paint
| ings and hiding them here in your gar
ret, while I have been living upon
your money. why did you let me go
:; on believing in myself-in my art
when ] am but hopeless failure?"
| at has all been mistake. DIANA"
Joel said unsteadily-''jus another
| one of my laundering ways OF trying
to make. you happy. and you must
| know that every picture was given a
| fair chance before I finally-brousht-
| there
"Oh. ! am sure Of that" Diana an
swered and laughed mockingly. But
you had no right to deceive me. Joel
no right to force upon me money which
l did not earn"
II have spent n great deal Of money
in my life for things which gave no
pleasure" the man answered gently.
"while each picture of yours. Diana.
has been worth more than twice Its
! price to me-"
The girl sighed and motioned to
ward the pictures. MY career has
begun and ended here" she said.
! Joel took one step toward her. then
! paused. "Diana." he said tensely.
marry me and will help you realize
| your ambition"
mo. JOEL" she said YEARLY. you
must invent some other plan to help
me out Of my difficulty"
"A gentleman to see you. sir" called
Lizzie from the threshold. and Joel
put out his hand to receive square
white card.
Strange he muttered. What
business can Harold Il. Fox. the mil
lionaire. have with me!''
Diana made no response. and with
one backward regretfus glance Joel
hurried away. When he returned a
few moments later his voice was
strangely brusque. "Alr. Fox came to
see me concerning your painting.
Loves Magic Diana. Ha wishes to
| purchase It," 10 - - 49,
Joel" the girl cried reproachfully.
l
| would not deceive you further" Then
his face darkened. mo one shall buy
the picture" he said passionately. ut
| is NINE"
| Dlana's eyes widened. Then. half
laughing. half crying. she ran toward
the door. Don't you see what this
means to me. Joel?" she said breath
lessly. II can paint pictures. l can"
Before he could speak she had disap-
peared down the stairway.
I When Joel entered the parlor the
young millionaire stood looking down
| into Diana's glowing face. II am an
ardent art enthusiast" he was saying,
"but no conception ofAthe old masters
has ever appealed to meas your beau
tiful fancy has done. I must have
the picture. Miss Dale. You shall
name your own price"
[ Diana turned with pretty dignity to
Joel. "Nir. Burton manages my bust
ness affairs" she replied.
II must refer to an authority before
putting price upon the picture" joel
said slowly. II have not sufficient
knowledge to speak on the subject Of
art. IL can only feel its beauty
Mr.. Fox looked slightly amused
'Thr painting. Loves Magic is not
for safe" Diam said suddenly eff
( ynu will Civ" me trial. Mr.. Fox.
| will paint another picture. which shall
have my bes. effort. and you may
Judge of its merit"
| SO Loves Magic" joined the array
/ OF paintings IN the garnet room. and.
| ignoring Joers humble gratitude. Dr.
ann returned to her city studio to labor
| in n fever Of joyous inspiration. while
| to the faithful ones at Burton house
rame frequent scrubbed notes.
lsa."I nm earning my living" she wrote
| to Joel. ut Is necessary since GER
! tain generous sphinx is no longer al
lowed to deccitfully provide my in
come Mr.. Fox. whom yoa may know.
is responsible for the manufacture Of
vnrious powders and lotions. has offer
! I'd to me the illustrating of their ad-
| vertisements In magazines"
AS the days passed Joel felt vague
| " troubled. for every note bore refer
| ence in some way 10 the young man
whom Diana grew to regard as her
bcnefactor.
.Joel," his mother said one day.
looking up from letter she had been
reading. this Mr.. Fox has taken his
I IL 30