Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-06-28

Alicia. pale and quiet with unutter-
able sadness In her beautiful eyes,
made him welcome In the library. Ills
lure hung over the mantel and Alicia's
chair had been wheeled In front of 1t.
You are not looking SO WELL" he re-
marked gravely.
81 have been low spirited" she con-
iessed
Evans WINGED. A familiar saying OF
Justin Moores required to him with
startling suddenness, "a man who
can't play fair better keep out Of the
game"
Had he played fairf
Her hand cllnched upon the table
| until the knuckles showed white.
You like the portraitT' he asked de-
liberately.
At first she flushed, and then her
face went pale. When she spoke It
was In cold, hard tone that was I'M
like any utterance that he had ever
heard from her gentle lips.
did you ever consider the difference
between living face and Its pictured
presentment? The first shows such
varying expressions that the real char
acter of the face escapes one. In
faithful likeness" she indicated the
one over the mantel, daily association
with the immutable expression Of the
painted features awakens one to the
real character of-the-the person"
She paused breathlessly and looked
at him with wide, angulshed eyes
What do you mean. AliciaT" he
asked, with dry lips, but he knew.
She pointed to tho portrait of her
husband. "There, therei | thought l
knew my husband. believed Justin
was good and noble. loved his face
for its strength and kindness, and
now-and now She pressed her
hands to her overlooking eyes.
And now" prompted Ralph with a
strange listlessness in his tone.
"Since 1t has been hung here It looks
like the face Of vlllalnl But It is the
picture Of the husband that ! loved
and still-lt Is not the picture of what
| | believed him TO be Can't you I'M
derstand2 If--Justin was really like
that | shall hate his memory" She
leaned against the tall back of chair
and looked at him with wet. question
ing eyes.
Ralph Evans hesltated. He glanced
from the sinister portrait on the wall
to the angulshed countenance of the
young widow whom It was his miBfor-
tune to love. He was overcome by a
great shame at his own transgression.
He would play fair.
You are morbidly sensitive, Alicia"
he said gently. "The picture Is badly
hung. May come tomorrow and rec.
tify the matter2"
you think that Is the troubleT' she
asked eagerly. "0h. hope It is-only
that"
| "You will find that am right" he
said confidently. Now come and look
over the music ! have brought After
dinner we will have some Chopin"
The next day when Ralph called he
was relieved to find that Alicin was
out. He was glad that no was to have
the library to himself for n brief period
before her return.
II was the work of few moments
to pull out small painting kit and
| behind locked doors TO restore Justin
Moore's face to It's original likeness
The face of the artist changed ms he
painted. Harsh lines faded away and
softer ones came about his eyes and
hn utn Ia. al,
tured rival reJuyenated. relncaTnated,
more manly what II had always been
In him to be ana what struggle with
bitter Jealousy had brought about-his
better self.
When Alicia returned the portrait
hung between the windows. A doubt.
Ing glance leaped from her eyes to the
painter. to tho portrait and back 10
Evans.
"You were right, Ralph" she cried
gratefully. at was In tho hanging of
the picture, and had such foolish,
morbid fears about poor Justin.
wonder II you know what n great
thing you have done for mer'
She held out her hand, and this time
Ralph's clasp was cool and friendly
nothing more. His face was very pale.
81 am very glad" he said quietly and
went away.
Many months afterward, when his
patience had its reward In the love of
Alicia Moore. they stood before tho
portrait once more.
"RnIph," said Alicin softly, II think
1t was very unselfsh OF you to paint
such a wonderful likeness of Justin
when when you She paused and
blushed wildly
when loved your finished Ralph
earnestly. II was tempted. Alicia
and fell-but | played fair after all.
Justin would have said that I played
fair" He ended wistfully.
Even Justin would have said that
after you changed tho picture" she
said gently.
lie dropped his face against her
bright hair. you knew II all the
time and could forgive-nnd tolerate
meT'
She did not reply at once. She was
thinking. Had she better tell him all
and wound him7 At last she said:
81 knew II that morning when you
rehung IT, The FIRST act--changing It,
was yielding TO n temptation; the last
restoring itwas an act OF nobility,
| denr and II was then ! first beRan tn