Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-11-28


strength and sweet geniality 1t was
the portrait of Justin Moore witt every
weak point emphasized.
Late that evening Ralph Evans sent
the portrait up to the handsome house
where Justin Moore's widow dwelt.
A week later he received a note from
Alicia. Come and dine with me-" she
wrote Bring your violin and we will
have some music"
He went
Alicia, pale and quiet with unutter.
able sadness in her beautiful eyes,
made him welcome in the library. His
quick glance noted that Justins pic
ture hung over the mantel and Alicia's
chair had been wheeled in front Of it.
You are not looking so WELL" he re-
marked grayely
Il have been low spirited" she con-
fessed.
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 fair?
Her hand clinched upon the table
until the knuckles showed white.
You like the portrait?'' he asked de-
liberately.
At first she flushed, and then her
face went pale. When she spoke it
was in a cold, hard tone that was un-
like any utterance that he had ever
heard from her gentle lips.
Did you ever consider the difference
between a living face and its pictured
presentment? The first shows such
varying expressions that the real char
acter of the face escapes one. In a
faithful likeness" she indicated the
one over the mante. 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, anguished eyes
What do you mean, Alicia?' he
asked. with dry lips, but he knew
She pointed to the portrait of her
husband. There, there! | thought 1
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 it has been hung here it looks
like the face of villain! But it is the
picture of the husband that | loved
and still-it is not the picture of what
l believed him to be Can't you I'M
derstand? If-Justin was really like
that ] shall hate his memory" She
leaned against the tall back of a chair
and looked at him with wet. question
ing eyes
Ralph Evans hestated He glanced
from the sinister portrait on the wall
to the anguished countenance of the
young widow whom 1t was his misfor-
tune to love. He was overcome by
great shame at his own transgression.
lie would play fair
You are morbidly sensitive. Alicia"
he said gently THE picture is badly
hung May come tomorrow and rec
tify the natter"
You think that is the troubleT' she
asked eagerly. oh | hope it is-only
that"
You will find that l 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 Alicia was
out. He was glad that he was to have
the library TO himself for a brief period
before her return.
1t was the work of a few moments
to pun out a small painting kit and
behind locked doors to restore Justin
MoOre's face to its original likeness.
The face Of the artist changed as he
painted. Harsh lines faded away and
softer ones came about his eyes and
mouth until he stood before his pic
tured rival rejuyenated, reincarnated,
more manly-what 1t had always been
in him to be and what a 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 the portrait and back to
Evans.
You were right Ralph" she cried
gratefully. 1T was in the hanging Of
the picture, and | had such foolish,
morbid fears about poor Justin. 1
wonder If YOU know what a great
thing you have done for me?"
She held out her hand and this time
Halph's clasp was cool and friendly
nothing more. His face was very pale.
Il am very glad, he said quietly and
went away
Many months afterward. when his
patience had its reward in the love Of
AIInia Moore they stood before the
portrait once more.
Ralph" said titcia softly. Il think
It was very unseldsh of YOU to paint
sHeh a wonderful likeness Of Justin
"han-when YOU She paused and