Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-31


marked gravely.
Il have been low Spirited, she con-
fessed.
Evans WINGED. 4 familiar saying of
Justin Moore's 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 portraitT' he asked de-
uberately.
At first she flushed. and then her
face went pale. When she spoke it
was in a cold, hard tone that was I'M
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 Il .
faithful likeness" she Indicated the
one over tue mantel, 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 I
knew my husband. ! believed Justin
was good and noble. l 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 IL looks
like the face of villain! But 1t is the
picture of the husband that loved
and still-it is not the picture of what
believed him to be. Can't you I'm.
derstand? H-Justn was really like
that shall hate his memory" She
leaned against the tall back OF q 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
y
tune to love. He was overcome by a
great shame at his own transgression.
He would play fair
You are morbidly sensitive, Alicia"
he said gently. THE picture is badly
hung May l come tomorrow and rec
tify the matter?"
You think that is the troubleT she
asked eagerly. "Oh, hope it is-only
that"
You will find that I am right" he
! said confidently. Now come and look
over the music l 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 few moments
to pull out small painting kit and
behind locked doors TO restore Justin
MoOres 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 rejuvenated. reincarnated.
more manly-what it 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. ut YVES in the hanging of
the picture, and had such foolish.
I morbid fears about poor Justin.
wonder if you know what a great
thing you have done for meF'
She held out her hand, and this time
Ralphs clasp was cool and friendly
nothing more. His face was very pale
81 am very glad" he said quietly and
went away.
Many months afterward, when his
patience had its reward in the love OF
Alicia Moore, they stood before the
portrait once more.
Ralph" said Alicia softly. II think
It was very unselhsh Of you to paint
such a wonderful likeness of Justin
; when-when you She paused and
) blushed wildly.
when 1 loved you?' finished Ralph
earnestly. 81 was tempted, Alicia
and / fell-but played fair after all.
Justin would have said that / played
fair" He ended wistfulIy.
Even Justin would have said that
after you changed the picture" she
said gently.
He dropped his face against her
, bright hair. you knew it all the
time and could forgive-and tolerate
me"
She did not reply at once. She was
thinking. Had she better tell him al
and wound himI At last she said:
II knew il that morning when you
rehung It. The first act-changing it
was yielding to a temptation; the last
restoring twas an act OF nobility
dear, and it was then / first began t.
love you" said Alicia tenderly.
4 A