The Press., 1912-08-14
The Picture lie "PIayed Fair" After
 All. By CLARISSA MACKTE

\ hAIp0 HV0uB tUpeU tue uEapGEy tTOu the easel and gazed long and earnestly at the picture. There was a bitter smile on his thin lips as he hummeC a little tune under his breath. It was an excellent portrait of Jus tin Moore-a speaking likeness, onC might say. of the artists closest friend Justin was handsome, with a beauty of feature that barely escaped effem Inacy, but the mouth was strong enough to justify the penetrating gray eyes, the noble forehead with it's sweeE of dark hair and the resolute chin. \ The pity of 1t was that the beauty and magnetism of the face were hjddeE
 forever. Justin Moore had died s year ago, and the portrait. commenced when he was vigorous with health had just been completed
 Alicia Moore, Justin's beautiful young widow, was coming to view il for the first time. During the period of her deep grief at the sudden loss of her husband Justin's friend had stood at her right hand throughout the dark days It was Evans who had at tended to all the harassing details con nected with the sad event 1t was he who had been named as executor of the will and who had settled the af fairs of his dead friend with infinite tact and sympathy.
 And Alicia. who had no near rela lives In the world to share her mourn ing, had turned to her husbands friend with a pitiful yearning for sym pathy and understanding In her sor row. To Ralph Evans she spoke free ly of Justin and gave him, at first shyly and then without restraint her full confidence.
 In the first sting of sorrow the DOT trait had been thrust aside, but of late Alicia had yearned for the picture. and for her sake Ralph had painted feverishly to complete It Now it was finished. and Alice was coming to view 1t
 As he stood there. his fine eyes meeting those of the portrait with a certain defiance, be was thinking of Alicia Moore. He could see her. tall and slender. in her black draperies. eagerly tracing the well known fea- lures of her beloved. choking back the gray eyes and the winning curves of Justin's genial mouth.
 A pang of agony struck in deep as he thought of these things. Alicia was young and beautiful. and he had loved her long and hopelessly. With that speaking likeness of her dead husbard ever before her, would she, could she. forget Justin? Could he. Ralph. ever win herr
 His heart answered "No."
 The door of the studio opened. and Alicia Moore entered, trailing soft black draperies over the rugs. With a quick. graceful gesture she tossed back the crape veil and glanced at the pic ture.
 "You have finished itT' she ques toned eagerly.
 Without answering Evans lifted his eyes and drank in the exquisite love Illness of her face. The soft. pure texture of her fair skin. the deep blue of her dark dashed eyes and the red gold colOring of her magnificent hair shining beneath the sombre head GOV ering
 "lt is ready for inspect1on-I hope you will like it." he said hOarsely as she withdrew her hand from his and turned to the portrait
 For a few moments she stood in rapt silence before 1t. Then tears filled her eyes. and her gloved hands were press ed against her bosom.
 How like him. RalphI You have caught all the strength and nobility of expression This is wonderful. Poor poor Justinr' The tears dropped un needed on her cheeka
 Ralph strangled a desire to comfort her-to tell her that joy and happiness yet remained for her; that she was toC young to spend the years 1n grieving over one who could not be recalled He was flercely jealous of Alicia's grief for her husband Would there never be chance for him to lay at her feet his life and love and happiness?
 "lt is the next thing to seeing Justin in the 6esh." she murmured softly ''It shall hang in the library. Do you know. Ralph. you have made me very happyT'
 She turned to him with outstretched hand and trembling lips
 The hands that caught hers gripped them Something in his manner his silence and the bright ferceness of his eyes-startled her. and she withdrew her hands with sudden reserve that Evans was quick to note
 "Yon can send 1t to me at oncef'' she asked
 This afternoon if you wish | will send it by Satterly. He will hang it for you"
 Thank you so much No one but Justin's friend could have caught these intimate expressions" She smiled brightly at him through the tears
 After ha had nIon0d hAr tn thA AIA-. tor and had returned to the studio and locked the door Ralph Evans went to the picture and studied it with dark inscrutable eyes.
 Suddenly he caught up palette and brush and added a few deft strokes to the pictured face of Justin Moore. Then he stepped back and gazed de6 antIy at the portrait s
 It was stilI the portrait of Justin Moore, but deprived Of it's nobility strength and sweet geniality. It was the portrait of Justin Moore with every weak point emphasized.
 Late that evening Ralph Evans sent the portrait up to the handsome house where Justin MoOre's widow dwelL
 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 l made him welcome in the library. His | quick glance noted that Justin's pic ture hung over the manteI and Alfcia's |