Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-08-01


ing lost IN awed admiration. The
words of praise he longed to say re-
fused to be spoken.
"Diana." he pleaded gently. come
home with me now and rest"
eyes, Mr.. Sphinx" she answered
with unexpected meekness. and while
Joel attended to the exhibiting Of her
painting Diana reveled among the
flowers in the old homestead garden.
Joel's mother called to him from the
veranda one afternoon. Have you
seen Diana 2. she asked. II have miss
ed her for some time"
"No." he replied; II have not seen
her" A sudden presentiment paled
his face beneath its coat of tan. With
nervous haste he produced key ring.
though he knew instinctively that the
key he sought would not be there.
After all these months Of watchful-
ness he had left it carelessly in an
open door. and this open door would
reveal to the girl he loved the futility
Of all her bright hopes. Hastily en-
tering the house he ascended rear
stairway and. reaching the second
landing. passed on again to an attic
floor. The boards resounded beneath
his tread as he crossed to a door
which led into a small gable room.
Joel hesitated moment as though to
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 fercely $50
this is what you have been doing all
along" she cried. buying my paint
ings and hiding them here in your gai-
ret, while | have been living upon
your money. Why did you let me go
on believing in myseif-in my art
when | am but a hopeless failure?"
"It has all been a mistake. DIANA"
Joel said unsteadily-"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 / finally brought
it--here."
"Oh. | am sure of thatp' Diana an:
swered and laughed mockingly. "But
you had no right to deceive me. Joel
no right to force upon me money which
i did not earn"
81 have spent a great deal of money
in my life for things which gave no
pleasure" the man answered gently.
'swhile 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 DIANA" he said tensely.
marry me and 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 square
white card.
Strange he muttered. What
business can Harold ]. Fox. the mil
lionaire. 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. mir. Fox came to
see me concerning your painting.
Loves Magic Diana. He wishes to
purchase it"
.sJoell' the girl cried reproachfully.
1T is quite true" Joel repeated. Il
would not deceive you further" Then
his face darkened. mo one shall buy
the picture" he said passionately. "It
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. JoelY' she said breath
lessly. Il 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. Il 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, must have
the picture. Miss Dale. You shall
name your own price"
Diana turned with pretty dignity to
Joel. "Mr Burton manages my bust
ness affairs she replied
II must refer to an authority before
putting a price upon the picture" Joel
said slowly. II have not sufficient
knowledge to speak on the subject of
art. IL can only feel its beauty"
Mr.. Fox looked slightly amused.
'The painting. Loves Magic. is not
for sole - niapa said S11ddanIv ssTf