Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1912-09-13

me portrait or Justin MOorN with 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 Justin's Die.
ture hung yer the mantel and Alicia's
chair had been wheeled In front Of It
"You are not looking so WE'LL" he 10
marked gravely.
II have been low spirited" che con-
J tessed.
Evans WINGED. A familiar saying Of
Justin Moore's REQUIRED to him with
startling ~suddenness, "A man who
rnn't play fair better keep out OF the
game"
Had he played fair7
her hand cllnched upon the table
until the knuckles showed white.
You like the pOrtraltT' be asked de-
~uberstely.
At nrst she flushed, and then her
face went pale. When she spoke Il
was In a cold. hard tone that was un.
like any u%tterance that he had ever
heard from her gentle lips.
enid w~.
between a living face and it's pictured
presentment7 The irst shows such
varying expressions that the real CHAR
acter Of the face escapes one. In a
faithful likeness" she indicated the
n over the mantel, daily associa ton
with b 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. anguisbed eyes.
What do you mean. Alicia 2" he
asked, with dry lips. but he knew.
She pointed to the portrait Of her
husband. There, there! thought
knew my husband. l believed Justin
was good and noble. ! loved his face
for it's strength and kindness, and
now-and now She pressed her
hands to her overlooking eyes.
And nowT' prompted Ralph with a
strange listlessness In his tone.
"Since 1t has been hung here it looks
like the face of a vlllainl But It Is the
picture of the husband that / loved
and sill-lt Is not the picture OF what
believed him to be. Can't you I'm.
derstand7 If-Justin was really like
that l shall hate bis memory" She
leaned against the tall back OF n chair
and looked at him with wet, question
ing eyes.
Ralph Evans hesitated. He glanced
from the sinister portrait on the wall
to the anguished ~countenance of the
young widow whom 1t was his mIsfurl
tune to love. Tie was overcome by n
great shame at his own tT-ansgression.
He would play fair. /.
"You are morbidly nensltive. Alicia. /"
he said gently. The picture is badly
hung. May come tomorrow and rec.
tify the mntter7"
You think that is the troubleT" she
asked eagerly. ooh, l hope It is-only
that"
you will find that I 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
library to himself for a brief period
her return.
1t was the work of a few moments
to pull out a small painting kit and
behind locked doors to restore Justin
Moore's face to it's original likeness.
The face of the artist changed as he
Harsh lines faded away and
softer e came about his eyes and
mouth until he stood before his pic {
-ured rival ~reJuvenated. reincarnated. I
more manly-what 1t had always been
him to be and what a struggle with I
bitter Jealousy had brought about-hIs l
better self. !
When Alicia returned the portrait !
lung between the windows. A doubt.
ng glance leaped from her eyes to the
to the portrait and back to
"You were right, Ralph" she cried
gratefully. 'Tt was in the hanging OF
he picture. and | had such foolish,
morbid fears about poor Justin. l I
II you know what a great :
hing you have done for meY'
She held out her hand. and this time
clasp was cool and friendly
lothing more. His face was very pale.
Il am very glad" he said quietly and
away.
Many months afterward. when his
'atience had its reward in the love OF !
Ahcia Moore. they stood before the !
ono more. l
Ralph" said Alicia softly, II think {
! was very unselfsh OF you to paint ?
uch a wonderful likeness of justin a
7hen-when you She paused and n
flushed wildly. o
when l loved your finished Ralph
arnestly. -" was tempted. Alicia
fell-but I played fair after all.
usttn would have said that / played
air" He ended wistfully.
"EVpn Iuafin would havn Ia A..