Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-14
Even;ng Story
THE FAILURE.
BY Annie Hinricsen.

A girl rushed suddenly from room.
'Will you come in?" she asked ex-
citedly. 'ComeA in and help me-
quick. I don't know you-except as
the man who lives across the hall
but you are perfect, You are exactly
what want and I'm in such a
hurry"
With two steps Theadway was in
the room.
"stand where you are" commanded
the girl. Face this way. That's
right, Chin up-the way you al
ways carry it. Figure tense. Splendid
pose Of successful and healthy young
business man."
She stepped behind an easel and
began to sketch rapidly. Bewilder-
ment held Treadway's tongue. He
stood immovable, staring at her.
Eyes a little to the left, please
Her voice was quite, cool and i'm
personal.
"May I ask he ventured, "if this
Is an inspiration .
mo Advertisement Chin a little
higher"
Face IN repOSe, please.
In the line of his eyes was curly,
red-brown mass OF hair, pinned, as
closely as its crinkling would per-
NIT. to small head. When she tilt
ed her head back in her abstract, i'm
personal scrutiny of him there came
within his vision a creamy white face
with dark, intense eyes, firm,
square chin anr dimpled rosy, con-
Trajectory little mouth.
For a long time he stood motion
less his eyes on the red-brown
crinkles of hair. At last he shifted
his body with ostentatious WEAKNESS
and drew q. long, audible sigh.
The abstraction left the girls face
and genuine interest and concern
flashed into it. M
"Oh," she deplored, I'm so sorry.
You are worn out. l did not realize
how long you had stood. Forgive
me-" 49,
He relaxed his rigidly and dropped
into chair. The girl left her easel
and sat down near him.
MAY | explain?" she asked with
a gracious, gentle dignity. II owe
you detailed explanation and many
apologies. I am an artist, am
neither good nor successful one,
I am, indeed, almost a failure
There was no regret nor complaint
in her voice. She was stating a fact
the truth of which she had accepted.
"This morning received request
from a packing-house for picture
to be used as an advertisement. The
young, handsome, athletic,
well-dresseu man, the embodiment OF
health and prosperity. 4: eat Bess-
ings Baked Beet 1t Is my first
order. Can you understand what Is
to me? You are perfect type.
The order meant everything to me.
So-the result"
A week later Margaret Weston
showed him check from the pack
ing company "My FIRST" she an
proudly. isn't it beautiful.
It isn't mere money. It
is the symbol Of success
!, "You will draw many pictures OF
beef eaters and l shall have regular
as a model. But shall
not be jealous if you draw my, Aunt
Melinda. She is my housekeeper and
cook. She was my mothers maid
and my nurse. She ought, however,
to pose for you in my apartment
The girl looked around her room.
The walls and the floor were ! ire,
the windows were uncurtained. A
few plain chairs and tables. an easel
and a cot were the only furnishings.
The chill of it's dreariness was as
definite as the chill of bitter cold.
Eyes" she said slowly, Aunt Me-
linda should pose in your rooms. they
are warm an bright and rlch ana
luxurious. A stately, old family re-
tainer needs such setting. This
room is too poor and barren-
"Your room is extremely artistic.
I love 1t suggeste that you draw
Aunt Melinda in my rooms because
like to think of your presence there
| am away nearly all the time and
"J won't do it." she said sharply.
One evening he knocked at her
door. MAY l come in and visit
while?" he asked.
"Not tonight" Her voice was harsh
and he did not hear the tremor.
T shall not intrude where am UNI
welcome" he began stiffly.
"You are always welcome" she
said YEARLY. "But tonight am
very tired and must rest"
"You need long rest. You are
worn out with the struggle for your
art. You belong in home of your
own with husband to take care OF
you and Aunt Melinda to take care OF
us Doth. Margaret, dear, won't you
let me-"
NO"
margaret, the path you have
chosen is bitterly hard. You may win
success in your work, but you will
pay price
"a price l am willing and glad to
pay"
81 shant let you"
"You can not prevent me. care
nothing, absolutely nothing for you.
Do you think" she asked with
hard. little laugh, that l shall give
ND my beloved art for a man to
whom I am Indifferent q
He whirled about, threw open his
own door and slammed it behind
him.
''Mr. Dick, wish you'd marry that
{hn no