The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-03
TIE EVENING STORY
Philips Lady We're.
(By CIarissa Mackie. }

ing me in his Will! exclaimed 6nlul
Ware. tossing the lawyers letter OF
the table.
why shouldn't he?" asked hi
friend John Bicknell.
1--WE hadn't been on speaking term:
for years-never had been real friends
1 always felt as though Mltchel hatee
me-
ssThis certainly disproves that the
ory,' remarked Bicknell, laying aside
the letter.
but why should he leave one of hi:
pictures to me?
"As evidence that he was not an IL
fellow after ALL was BicKnell's reply
81 wonder what the picture is
THE lawyer does not say-simply
! explains that Mr.. Mitchell has be-
| Queathed a certain picture to me and
| that he is having it sent over at once
| Mitchell died in Paris, you know.
| pretty clever painter, wasn't he p
yes and no. If he had stuck to
landscapes there Is no knowing what
pinnacle of fame he might have reach
ed. But he had a misplaced idea that
| he was a portrait PAINTER, and it was
over that matter we had our quarrel.
I was a fresh young cur in those days
| and expressed my opinion too freely.
! knew I gained Mitchell's enmity.
| Some day you may discover that can
paint portraits.
This picture he has bequeathed to
you may be a masterpiece"
given it to one of his friends, of whom
ne had host. 1t touches me to think
that he was forgiving enough to re-
member me at ALL
picture arrives. I'm curious to see it. -
"Certainly-I shall want your adj
vice about the placing of it,
Two weeks later Philip Ware tele
phoned to Bicknell that the picture had
arrived and waiting to be unpacked
in his rooms
Bicknell hurried around to Philips
bachelor apartment to find the owner
removing the cover from a wooden
box.
Just in time" remarked Philip, as
Bicknell tossed aside hat and coat and
rolled up his sleeves.
From the layers of packing material
they brought forth a large square can
vas in a gold frame. Philip carried it
over to the wall, where the light from
the north fell coldly upon it.
The two men stared at it for several
moments before they turned as If by
one accord and looked at each other.
"Great George, but he must have
been genius!" breathed Bicknell at
last and Philip Ware nodded. Then
their eyes instinctively returned to the
portrait.
She was beautiful woman, with a
naughty, high-bred face and masses
of dark hair, Her eyes were the
and slmond-shaped. with heavy white
lids Ealf dropping over golden eyes.
yellow eyes-did you ever see any
thing like it?" muttered BicknelI as
he moved away from the picture.
MAKE me feel uncomfortable"
"Fascinatfng-that what 1 call it,
said Philip as he, too, endeavored to
get cut of range of the remarkable
orbs. "She's an insolent beauty
shall call her Lady Vere.'"
I'm glad she isn't going to boss
over my eSta bliShment," laughed Bick- |
nell.
You're Jealous" retorted Philip.
More than likely Edith will be jeaI- |
Gus when she sees It,"
Edith Forbes was Philips promised
wife.
Edith? oh, she will love it. Now, |
over the fireplace, of course
Then down with the Battle of
Roses and vive la Vere!" laughed |
Philip as he mounted a chair.
When the portrait was properly |
hung in its place over the mantel the |
two men stood for long time in mute |
appreciation of the genius of Rankin
painter" groaned Philip at last
HE certainly has proved you to be |
a liar!' exclaimed Bicknell, withdraw
ing his gaze from the fascinating gaze
of Lady We're. His glance fingered on |
the graceful sweep of pure white |
throat and bosom. Where it was
filmed with soft black tulle there was
caught pale pink rose
There is a fascination''-rnu
INJURED Philip, still standing there en-
raptured after his friend had departed.
An hour later he was standing there
his gaze still entangled with the naughty.
half insolent. smiling glance of the WON
an in the picture.
The telephone bell ringing sharply drag
ged him out of his trance-like state. He
passed hand across his dazed eyes
What has happened to ne?" he NUT
tered as he half staggered into the next |
room.
Edith was at the other end of the wire
Her voice was reproac hful.
You promised to take me out to the
club this afternoon, PHIL could have
gone out with the Lees; they stopped for
me- but I told them I was expecting your |
car every minute"
Dearest, I am sorry-I don't know what
to say.'' cried Philip, penitently. MY
only excuse is that Aitchell's picture ar
rived this afternoon, and Bicknell and L
have been unpaeking It'll forgot ali about
golf and tea and everything"
You are forgiven this time" said Edith. |
Now tell me about the picture-wnat
Is it?'' +
The most wonderful portrait of a wora-
an you ever saw-Lady We're am calling
t. Imagine woman with yellow eyeSi'
Philip could not keep the enthusiasm out
IF his voice, and he was quite needless
IF the fact that green eyes are not an
feature among engaged people,
and so he gave no thought to the sudden
soolness in Editf's voice as she hung 10
he receiver
That was only the beginning
The picture of Lady We're exerted a
strange influence over the life Of Philip