Smyrna times., 1911-12-13
THE MAN
SHE LOVED
BY EDWARD BOLTON
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

two she felt that she must live
blighted life. other women had loved
twice, but not she.
Maxwell, friend of the widow, re-
monstrated with her for this indul-
gence of grief. telling her that at her
age a whole lifetime was before her.
If she did not care to marry again she
might at least live in the world like
other persons. She could devote her
self to music, are. charity. anything but
hanging over a grave. To satisfy him
she concluded to take up art.
Maxwell went to an artist friend, an
attractive man. and said to him:
Charlie. | know a young widow for
whom | wish husband. | have Sc
leeted you for the position. She will
Hot interfere with your career, for she
has a small fortune. She has asked
me to secure her a teacher in painting.
and have recommended you"
But Charlie Somerset. after hearing
about the Widow ThurstOn and her
grief. did not see how he was to win
her However, he consented to give
her lessons, and the two were brought
together. A month after the lessons
began Maxwell met Somerset and ask
ed how he was getting on with his pu-
pil.
Every badly" said the artist THE
only picture she is at all interested in
is a portrait of her late husband. which
she is painting from memory. She sits
all through her lessons before it, Civ
ing a touch here and a touch there,
signing. sometimes sobbing. and all
the time mOping over her lost beloved.
The worst of it is that l am sure if
she could be relieved of this monoma-
major that's just what it is-she
would be adorable. I would give my
head to-
''Place where the other head is in
terrupted Maxwell. Don't be discOur-
aged. Sympathize with her instead of
showing jealousy Of the dead. for in
my opinion a live man is better than
dead one any day"
The two parted and did not meet
again for several months, when Max
well asked the same question as before
and received the same reply.
''Do you mean to tell me that she
hasn't finished that portrait yet?''
''Finished it? Yes. long ago; but she
still keeps dabbing at it,
'When is her next lessonY'
Tomorrow"
"Well. I'll drop in on you and see
what kind of a picture a disconsolate
widow will make of a dead husband
by continuous work on it. | suppose
she thinks she's turning out an arch
angel
next dag Maxwell dropped in
as he had promised There sat Somer-
set painting a portrait at one easel and
the widow painting her husbands like
ness at another. Maxwell cast a glance
at Somerset's work. which was the
head Of a woman; gave grunt and,
turning to the widows painting. gave
a low whistle.
''You two seem to be getting on very
well. Charlie. whose head is that
you're painting?"
'Oh. it's a fancy picture"
~And whose is that you're painting?"
asked Maxwell Of the widow.
-'Why. don't you know? He's the
man love"
''The man you loved?'
''The man l loved. love. and shall al
ways love-"
''Umph!''
Maxwell leaned over Somerset and
whispered some words in his ear. Som
erset arose. took his hat and went out
Maxwell drew chair toward the
widows easel and said to her:
That's a dead giveaway.'
whats dead giveawayT she
asked. starting.
''The head you're painting. It's the
man you love. is itY'
Certainly"
''WeIl. I'm glad you love a live man
instead of dead one"
What do you mean?'
-'Why. that isn't Arthur Thurston;
it's Charlie Somerset"
The woman looked at him in horror.
'T recognized it for Charlie the mo-
ment I entered. Come here"
Rising. he led ner to Somerset's pOr.
trait DO you know who that isY' be
asked
why. it looks very like me-"
''It is you. Charlie has been falling
in 'ave with you and has probably
ur ously been putting you on
canvas, thinking he was making {
fancy picture"
The widow blushed.
Meanwhile You have been falling il
love with him. asd while thinking yoi
were putting Arthur's head on you
canvas you have been painting-th
man you love"
The widow blushed crimson.
do you wish.' added Maxwell
that l shall tell Charlie what yot
have been doing. He's too stupid t
zee it himself"
mo"
well. then. stop this nonsense. He
In love with you and has been bott
cred. as he has told me. at thinkin
t..