The Press., 1912-08-14

''You like the pOrtraItT' he asked de Hberately.
 At first she flushed, and then ne face went pale. When she spoke l was in a cold. hard tone that was un like any utterance that he had eve heard from her gentle lips
 Did you ever consider the difference between a living face and its pictured presentment2 The first shows sucl varying expressions that the real char acter of the face escapes one. In { | faithful likeness" she indicated thu one over the mantel, ''daily association with the Imrnutable expression Of thu painted features awakens one to thG real character of-the-the person =
 She paused breathIessly and looked at him with wide. anguished eyes
 What do you mean, Alicia r hs asked. with dry lips, but he knew
 She pointed to the portrait of heI husband. There, therel I thought knew my husband 1 believed .IuSttr was good and noble. l loved his face for its strength and kindness. ana now-and now"- She pressed hel hands to her over1owing eyes.
 "And nowr prompted Ralph with q strange listlessness in his tone
 "Since 1t has been hung here it looks like the face of viIlainI But 1t is the picture of the husband that loved and still-lt Is not the picture of what I believed him to be. Can't you un derstand? If-Justin was really like that 1 shall hate his memory" She leaned against the tall back of a 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 misfor 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 come tomorrow and rec tify the matter?''
 You think that is the troubleT' she asked eagerly. "Oh. l hope 1t is-OnIy that"
 "You will find that 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 10 find that Alicia was out. He was glad that he was to have the library to himself for brief period before her return
 1t was the work of few moments to pull out a small painting kit and behind lOt krtl doors to restore Justin Moore's face 10 it's 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 pie tured rival rejuvenated. reincarnated more manly what 1t 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 bet ween 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. ''lt was in the hanging of the picture. and 1 had such foolish morbid fears about poor Justin wonder if you know what a great thing you have done for meT'
 She held out her hand. and this time Ralph's clasp was cool and friendly nothing more. His face was very pale
 'I am very glad" he said quietly and went away.
 Many months afterward. when bIS patience had It's reward in the love n' Alicia Moore. they stood before tn. portrait once more.
 Ralph" said Alicia softly. ''l thnh it was very unselflsh of you to pain such a wonderful likeness of Jn~n when-when you"- She paused nnc blushPi vtvidly
 When loved youY' finished RniE,r earnestly ''I was tempted. Amln and feli but ] played fair artr' n' Justin would have said that pln,.r fair" He ended wistfully.
 Even Justin would have said rhn' after you changed the picture <m said gently.
 He dropped his face against he' bright hair You knew it ali th- time and could forgive-and tolerate meY'
 She did not reply at once. She was thinking. Had she better tell him all and wound hIm2 At last she said:
 ''I knew 1t that morning when you rehung 1t. The first act-changing It. was yielding to temptation: the last restoring it. was an act Or nobility. dear. and 1t was then l first began to love you said Alicia tenderIy.