Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-06-28
The Picture
He "Played Fair" After
All.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

the easel and gazed long and earnestly
at the picture. There was a bitter
smile on his thin lips as he hummed
a little tune under his breath.
It was an excellent portrait Of JUS
tin Moore-a speaking likeness, one
might say. Of the artists closest friend
Justin was handsome, with a beauty
of feature that barely escaped effem.
iuucy. but the mouth was strong
enough TO justify the penetrating gray
eyes, the noble forehead with its sweep
OF dark hair and the resolute chin.
The pity of It was that the beauty
and magnetism of the face were hidden
forever. Justin Moore had died q
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 II
for the first time. During the period
of her deep grief at the sudden loss OF
her husband Justin's friend had stood
al her right hand throughout the dark
days II was Evans who had at.
tended to ali the harasslng details con
uected 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.
uves In the world to share her mourn.
Ing. had turned to her husbands
friend with pltiful yearning for sym
patty 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 hel
full confidence.
In the first sting of sorrow the por
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 1t was
finished, and Alice was coming t
view Il
As he stood there, his fine eyes
meeting those Of the portrait with q
certain defiance, he was thinking Of
Alicia Moore He could see her. tai
and slender, In her black draperies
eagerly tracing the well known fen
lures of her beloved, choking bach
tears Of grief at the familiar smile IN
the gray eyes and the winning curves
Of Justin's genial mouth.
pang OF agony struck in deep al
he thought of these things. Alicia wa
young and beautiful. and he had love-
her long and hopelessly. With tina
speaking likeness of her dead husband
ever before her, would she, could she
forget Justin2 Could he. Ralph. eve
win herr
His heart answered mo"
The door of the studio opened, AM
Alicia Moore entered. trailing sof
black draperIes over the rugs With {
quick. graceful gesture she tossed bacI
the Grape veil aud glanced at the pic
ture.
you have 0nished itT' she ques
toned eagerly.
eyes and drank In the exquisite love
illness of her face The soft, pur,
texture OF her fair skin. the deep blu'
OF her dark dashed eyes and the re,
gold colOring OF her magnificent hail
shining beneath the sombre head GOV
ering
at Is ready for inspecuon-I hope
you will like It," be said hoarsely as
she withdrew her hand from his and
turned to the portrait.
For few moments she stood in rapt
silence before 1t. Then tears filed her
eyes. and her gloved hands were press
ed against her bosom.
How like him. Ralph You have
caught all the strength end nobility OF
expression. This Is wonderful. Poor
poor Justlnl' The tears dropped IN
needed on her cheeks
Ralph strangled a desire to comfort
her--to tell her that Joy and happiness
yet remained for her; that she was too
young to spend the years in grieving
over one who could not be recalled.
He was Hercely Jealous Of Alicia's grief
for her husband Would there never
be a chance for him to lay at her feet
his life and love and happiness7
ut In the next thing 10 seeing Justin
In tho fesh." she murmured softly.
ut 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 hnnds that caught hers gripped
them. Something In his manner-his
silence and the bright herceness of his
eyes startled her. and she withdrew
her. hands with sudden reserve that
Evans was quick to note.
you can send It to me at onceT she
asked.
This afternoon II you wish. will
send 1t by Satterly. He will hang 10
for you"
THANK you 80 much No one but
Justin's friend could have caught these
intimate expressions" She smiled
brightly at him through the tears.
After he had placed her IN the eleva.
tor and had returned to the studio and
locked the door Ralph Evans went 10
the picture and studied II with dark.
lnscrutaDle eyes
Suddenly he caught up palette and
brush ana added few def strokes to
the pictured face OF Justin Moore.
Then he stepped back ana gazed def.
antly nj the portrait
N SUaa aftIi fha norfraft ~ fuatln