The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-11

I ed her for some time."
 | "No." he replied: "I have not seen
 her." A sudden presentiment paled ' ss@ esse beneath it's coat of tan. With
 Hcrvous haste he produced key sing,
 though he knew instinctively that the
 key he sought would not be there. l After all these months of watchful- l ness he had left it carelessly in an 1 open door, and this open door would l reveal to the girl he loved the futility of all her bright hopes. Hastily en- tering the house. he ascended a rear
 stairway and. reaching the second
 landing. passed on again to an attic 1 floor. The boards resounded beneath his tread as be crossed to a door 1 which led into a small gable room. Joel hesitated a moment as though to l gain courage. then stepped inside. Upon the four walls finished to re- ceive them hung many paintings in costly frames. They were all here Diana's pictures-not one missing. from the first crude sketch to her lat est triumph. and crouched upon the
 floor. her slight figure shaken by noise less sobs. lay the little artist. Diana" the man whispered. | She turned upon him fiercely. "So 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" 'sIt has all been mistake, Diana" Joel said eadily-"just another one of my blundering ways of trying to make you happy. and you must know that every picture was given fair chance before I finally-brought- it-here."
 "Oh, am sure of thatr' Diana an- swered and laughed mockingly. "But you had no right to deceive me. Joel- no right to force upon me money which did not earn"
 "I have spent 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. 'sDiana," he. said tensely. marry me and I will help you realize your ambition"
 No. Joel" she said wearily. 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 a square white card.
 Strange" he muttered What business can Harold J. Fox. the mil nonaire. have with me?"
 Diana made no response, and with one backward regretful glance Joel hurried away. When he returned a few moments later his voice was , strangely brusque. MT. Fox came to see me concerning your painting. Loves Magic Diana. He wishes to purchase it"
 "Joelr' the girl cried reproachfully.
 Ut is quite true." Joel repeated. T would not deceive you further" Then his face darkened. 'sNo one shall buy the picture" he said passNonately. 1t is mine"
 Diana'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. T can paint pictures. can" Before he could speak she had disap- peared down the stairway.
 When Joel entered the parlor the young millionaire stood looking down into Diana's glowing face i'sI am an ardent art enthusiast" he was saying. 'but no conception of the old masters has ever appealed to me as 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 :alr Burton manages my busi- ness affairs" she replied
 'I must refer to an authority before rutting price upon the picture" Joel said slowly. 1T have not sufficient knowledge to speak on the subject of art. IT can only feel it's beauty"
 MT. Fox looked slightly amused
 "The painting. Love's Magic Is not for sale" Diana said suddenly. "If you will give me a trial. MT. Fox. I will paint another picture. which shall have my best effort. and you may judge of its merit.r
 So Loves Magic" joined the array of paintings in the garret room. and. ignoring Joel's humble gratitude. Di- ana returned to her city studio to labor in fever of joyous inspiration. while to the faithful ones at Burton house came frequent scrubbed notes. 1
 'T am earning my living" she wrote to Joel. ''It is necessary since cer- tain generous sphinx is no longer al- lowed to deceitfully provide my in come. MT. Fox. whom you may know. is responsible for the manufacture of various powders and lotions. has offer ed to me the illustrating of their ad- vertisements in magazines
 As the days passed Joel felt vague ly troubled. for every note bore refer ence in some way to%the young man whom Diana grew to regard as her benefactor.
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