Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1912-09-13
The Picture
tie "PIsyed Fair" After
All.
BY cLARISSA MAcKIE

hAfpn ENan8 NEteu the p .
the easel and gaSed long and earnestly
ct the picture. There was a bitter
smile on his thin lips as be hummed
q 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 vas handsome. with a beauty
of feature that barely escaped erem.
inacy, but the mouth was strong
enough to justify the penetrating gray
eyes, the noble forehead with It's SWEEP
VI dark hair aud the resoiute chin.
The pity OF 1t was that the beauty
and magnetism OF the face were hidden
forever. Justin Moore had died a
year ago. and the portrait. commenced
when be 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 frlerd had stood
at her right hand throughout the dark
days 1t was Evans who had at.
tended to all the harassing details con.
nected with the sad event Ii was be
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.
tives In the world to share her mourn
ing, had turned to her husbands
friend with a pitiful yenrnlng for sym
pathy and understanding in her sor-
row. To Rnlpb Evans she spoke FREQ
ly OF Justin and gave him, at first
shyly and then without restraint her
full confidence.
In the FIRST sting OF sorrow the Dor
trait had been thrust aside, but OF late
Alicia had yearned for tho picture,
and for her sake Ralph had painted
feverishly to complete II. Now It was
finished. aud Alice was coming to
view It.
As he stood there. his One eyes
meeting those Of tho portrait with a
certain defiance. he was thinking of
Alicia Moore Ho could zee her, tall
Inc slender, IN her black druperles.
eagerly tracing the well known fea-
lures OF her beloved, choking back
tears OF grief at the familiar smile In
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 dend husband
ever before her, would she, could she.
forget Justin1 Could be. Ralph. ever
win herr
His heart answered mo"
The door Of the studio opened, and
Alicia Moore entered, trailing soft
black draperies w the rugs. With a
quick, graceful gesture she tossed hack
the Grape veil and glanced at the pic.
turs.
you have finished nY' she oues
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
aiming beneath the sOmbre head GOV.
ering.
1T is ready for inspection-I hope
you win like It," he said hoarsely az
she withdrew her hand from his aud
to the portrait.
For a few moments she stood in rnpt
ailence before It. Then tears filed her
eyes. and her gloved hands were press
against her bosom.
How like him. Ralph You have
caught all the strength and nobility Of
expression. This is wonderful. Poor
poor JustinP' The tears dropped un
heeded o. 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 grleving
over one who could not be recalled.
he was 6ercely Jealous OF Alicia's grief
Tor her husband Would there never
a chance for him TO lay at her feet
his life and love and happiness?
1t Is h next thing Ia seeing Justin
IA the desh." she murmured softly.
1T shall hang in the library. DO you
nov. Ralph, you have made me very
She turned to him with outstretched
iand and trembling lips.
The hands that caught hers gripped
hem Something 10 his manner-hls
iience and the bright ~ferceness Of his
yes-startled her. and she withdrew
ler hands with sudden reserve that
was quick to note.
lyon can send It to me at onceT' she
sked
This afternoon II you wish. win
Il by Satterly. He will hang 1t
Or you"
THANK you so much. No one but
ustin's friend could have caught these
expressions" She smiled
rightly at him through the tears.
After he had placed her " the eleva.
" and bad returned to the studio and
the door Ralph Evans went to
ie picture and studied II With dark, I
lscrutable eyes. I
Suddenly be caught up palette ana
'ush and added a few def strokes to 6
. pictured face Of Justin Moore
hen be stepped back aud gaSed DEF. :