The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-05
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
THE PICIURIs AND rms LOVER

give the picture that name because
il was his ideal Of what his mother
would have been If she had lived.
In real life she was a quiet little per
son, just over the brow of the high
way OF years, journeyiug softly. placid
~ down the smooth path. for the win
ter OF existence lay hidden beyond
turns I'm the road and she had not
glimpSed il yet.
Tee composition had been cleverly
conceived. II showed a Veranda corner
Of what was evidently an old ruin of
country house of half century ago.
The big french window. the half OF an
old colonial pillar and a general air of
shabby gentility made a fitting frame
FOR the sweet-faced woman who sat in
the modern wicker porch chair. a
magazine on her lap. and who looked
straight out of the picture.
To the critic, who sought to know
why it pleased him, the greatest charm
seemed to be in the eyes. Carroll had
done wonders there and they seemed
to carry message of mother-loVe that
had known no anNietieS, no sleeplesS
nights OF wondering where some wan
dering boy was resting, and praying
that God might watch over him.
They were big. brown expressive
eyes, with the slightest suggestion OF
wrinkled corners, a hint of age further
carried out here and there in the hair
by touch of times silver strands
showing through the sOft~hued brown.
II attracted some attention from the
writer's, and friends told Carroll il was
distinctly good. Otherwise il created
no stir. 1t was one of so others equal
ly creditable to the artists and would
probably bring a decent enough sum
when placed on sale.
one afternoon, when he stood half
in a reVerie of remembrance before
the picture, he was conscious that an
elderly man near him was eVincing
more than usual interest.
He fumbled for his glasses. turned
the leaves of the catalOg until he came
TO the number, then the eagerness died
cut of his face and he turned away
But he came back and again looking
upon ii with no cOncealment Of his ap-
probation.
The stranger noticed Carroll when
he started away the second time and
stopped to ask him:
DO you know anything about the
picture?"
Why, yes, naturally, l painted it,"
GU are Mr.. Carroll, then. / was
going TO hunt YOU up. Is it for sale?"
the older man inquired
We'll. you know we artists have to
live. Few of us paint for fame alone,
so it is like the rest. Only l hope it
goes TO some one who will appreciate
H. The circumstances of its painting
are dear mem cries"
Are yOu-are-you her son? Tell
met" and the questioner put a trem-
bling hand on the artists shoulders.
No replied Carroll, Il wish l was
or rather if my own mother had lived
1 think she would have been like her"
Can you spare me the time 20 tell
me the circumstances you speak Of
that is. III you will? Thank you. but
not here. Let us 90 to my house.
live near" and he led the way out
1t isn't much of a story except in
its persona! appeal to me-" began Car
roll a fnW 7
presume it reminds you of some one.
and If the two women are alike 1 know
you understand how fond / am of her.
last spring was threatened with
fever and was told TO get out OF the
cftY. j found a quiet place owned by
the original of the portrait and she
took me in. Unfortunately, L did not
escape soon enough and the fever
caught me. There was no one with
her but an old servant and l asked 70
be moved into the nearest town
she would not hear OF il. and nurs-
ed me on journey TO deaths door
and back again TO the sunshine to the
trees and the birds-and life. 1t Is
something that one cannot explain,
her tenderness, her mOtherliness and
the sense of comfort, Of love, even, for
a stranger that she gave TO me.
- Her entrance would light up my
sick room. her presence was better
IMAM all the medicine in the world;
AAf*A-iNASr otAt - the UGdlGSls sweetest
woman have ever known. 1 was
,only two when my mother died. Thu
is about all, I think"
Mr.. Carroll" his host began, -
have never met you, but am, perhaps.
known 20 You. 1 am Judge Johnson
Lee Carter, and l am from Virginia
When l was a hot-headed young man
! was in love with girl who is prob
ably the double of the lady in your
picture. I loved her devotedly, madly,
sir, and she loved me. But / was
headstrOng, sir and l Quarreled with
her one night and came north.
All my life the years have been
loNeless except my love for her. There
four, five years passed, and knew she
was probably married, so I have mover
incurred but the picture. sir, brouEh
IL ali back TO me, all the years / haN-
missed that might have leen crowded
with happiness. FOR they would have
been happy ones. MIR. Carroll. SIR, she
was the finest lady on earth. Now YOU
know why l want TO buy Your picture,
nudge Carter, there can be no talk
os BcS%nS and selling that picture,
after whSt you have told me. There,
there, no - else will get it. The
exhibition VIII R}st another month;
you can get badk from Albemarie
county before thaA-, y
What are you saying, boy? ,-Klbe-
marie county? Why, tfSt's< where
lived. Is it Ruth? is she y widow? Is
she free and is it"
Ruth Cressley and she is not a
widow said Carroll quietly. She has
never married"
Honest, boy? Honest? Forgive me.
forgive me, Mr.. Carroll-then she did
mt forget2"
she is the sort who love once-for
always. l think and Carroll extended
his hand.
ana the picture?" asked the Judge. !
will be my wedding present"
God bless you, sir. God bless you"
ana there were tears in his eyes as he |
showed Carroll to the door
Carroll is famous now and a few
years older. ASK him the best thing he
ever did and he Will tell you Mother"
Perhaps you won't understand him
but Judge Carter knows and Mrs
J Johnson Lee Carter shares the knowl-
edge.
NEWS OF HORSES