Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-10
EVENING STORY.
Philips LADY WE'RE
BY clarlssa MackIs.

BY Clarissa MackIe.
Copyright, 1912, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)
"Just fancy old Mitchell remem-
bering me in his will" explained
Philip Ware, tossing the lawyers let
ter on the table.
why shouldn't he?" asked his
friend, John Bicknell.
1--WE hadn't been on speaking terms
for years never had been real
friends. always felt AZ though
Mitchell hated me-"
This certainly disproves that the
ory,s remarked Bicknell, laying aside
the letter.
"But why should he leave one Of his
pictures to me?"
"As evidence that he was not an
Ill fellow after ALL" was Bicknells
reply. IT wonder what the picture
is."s
"The lawyer does not say simply
explains that Mr.. Mitchell has be-
queathed a certain picture to me and
that he is having It sent over at
once. Mitchell died In Paris, you
know"
Pretty clever painter, wasn't her"
"YNs, and no. II he had stuck to
Landscapes there IL no knowing what
pinnacle Of fame he might have
reached. But he had a misplaced
idea that he was portrait painter,
and H. was over that matter we had
our quarrel. was q fresh young
cub in those days and expressed my
opinion too freely. I know I gained
Mitchell's enmity. The last words he
said to me were: Some day you
may discover that can paint por-
traits"
s'This picture he has bequeathed to
you may be a masterpiece"
Hardly. Otherwise he would have
given 1t to one of his friends, Of
whom he had a host It touches me
to- think that he was forgiving
enough to remember me at all"
Il hope you'll let mo know when
ths picture arrives. I'm curious to
see It,"
''Certainly- shall want your ad-
vice about the placing Of It,"
Two weeks later Philip Ware tele-
phoned to Bicknell that the picture
had arrived and was waiting to be un-
packed in his rooms.
Bicknell hurried around to Phil
ip's bachelor apartment to find the
owner removing the cover from
wooden box.
"Just in time" remarked Philip, as
Bicknell tossed aside hat and coat
and rolled up his sleeves.
From the layers Of packing ma
terial they brought forth large
square canvas In gold frame.
where the light from the north fell
coldly upon It.
The two men stared at 1t for sew
eral moments before they turned as
II BY one accord and looked at each
other.
Great George, but he must have
been genius!" breathed Bicknell at
last, and Philip Ware nodded. Then
their eyes instinctively returned to
the portrait.
s4 She was a beautiful woman, with a
naughty, high-bred face and masses
Of dark hair. Her eyes were the
strangest Philip had ever seen long
and almond.shaped, with heavy white
lids half dropping over golden eyes.
=. yellow eyes- did you ever see
anything like IT." muttered Bicknell
as he moved away from the picture.
Make me feel uncomfortable"
Fascinating that's what call
it," said Philip as he, too, endeavored
to get out Of range of the remarkable
orbs. She's an insolent beauty l
shall call her Lady Vere.'"
..'T'm glad she isn't going to boss
over my establishment" laughed Bick-
nell.
You're jealous" retorted Philip.
more than likely Edith Will be
Jealous when she secs It."
Edith Forbes was Philips prom
Used wife.
Edith? Oh, she will love It. Now,
where shall we place the lady"
"Over the fireplace, of course.
''Then down with the Battle OF
Roses and vive Ia vere!" laughed
Philip as he mounted chair.
When the portrait was properly
hung in it's place over the mantel the
two men stood for long time In
mute appreciation of the genius Of
Rankin Mitchell.
"And I said he was not portrait
painter!" groaned Philip at last.
HE certainly has proved you to be
a Iiar!" explained Bicknell, with.
drawing his gaze from the fascinat-
ing gaze of Lady We're. His glance
fingered on the graceful sweep Of
pure white throat and bosom. Where
It was filmed with soft black tulle
a. "a