Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1912-02-23
S==a = -
STRUGGLERS
By CATHERINE COOPE
BY CATHERINE COOPE


When the man returned from the
dressing-room Joyce laughed in sheer
delight at her luck. Here's model
to inspire the most sluggish mental
ity.
Fortunately for Joyce, the only
other figure in her illustration was
that of a girl painting desperately at
her easel She had felt very like the
great Rembrandts and Van Dykes of
history when she had used herself as
a model. 1t had saved her purse
considerably and Joyce felt proud OF
her achievement She was amused in
a half resentful way at the smile OF
satisfaction that swept her models
face when his eyes Travelled from the
big canvas to her own face.
you must try to express surprise,
anger and resentment all at once"
she said a trifie coldly. you, as the
hero in John Temples story have ar
rived to fulfill an engagement for the
opera with your sweetheart and have
come in to find her oblivious to any
thing save her painting" Joyce sig
nified her model platform and turned
toward her paints.
Il will need more lamp black" the
sandwich man heard her mutter
Then she turned to him. Il will be
back in a moment"
She was gone and the man in the
evening clothes moved toward the
easel The smile of satisfaction lit
up his eyes again.
what a strange coincidence" he
said, half aloud, and had scarcely
turned from the big wash drawing be-
fore Joyce came swiftly back.
Now we are ready for work." she
cried happily, with the light of in
SEPARATION radiating from her.
Then began the completion Of the
splendid drawing for John Temples
story. SO good was the piece of work
that Joyce Randolfs name was soon
in many of the magazines. For two
years the sandwich man posed ST.
lently for the rising artist and II
Joyce knew that her contentment
when he was near meant more than
the artists Joy in her work she kept
LC1 SCCACt WC4A III manu- AhC 0AAhC
appeal in her models eyes had begun
to haunt her waking and sleeping.
She illustrated stories Of John Tenn
pies. His NAME too. was in all the
magazines and Joyce wondered when
she would have the pleasure of meet
ing him. He had written to thank
her for her splendid work; that was
as far as their relationship went.
Joyce picked up an uncut magazine
and idly ran her knife through it. A
picture among the advertised new
books attracted her languid eye.
Joyce sat up and stared at the mans
face. 1t was a photograph of the au-
thor, John Temple. and the face was
that Of her model-her sandwich man.
Joyce felt as If a white heat had
come from her feet upward and en-
veloped her entire being.
The knocker on the door sounded.
Joyce realized in a half dazed way
that it was time for her model. She
cast an involuntary glance at the pad
and pencil that she kept for the dumb
mans convenience. She smiled grim
ly: he would have much to write now
in explanation.
He came into the studio and there
was something new in his bearing. a
new determination.
Joyce started to rise from her
chair. but sank back when she found
herself trembling.
81 love you. Joyce" John Temple
said. and laughed. "There-those are
the words | wanted first to say to
you. | never was dumb and l had to
advertise my own book because |
didn't have any money two years ago
for full-page ads and now-well-
have everything I want except you"
He laughed again, but unsteadily.
and drew nearer to Joyce. She had
only looked up at him, powerless to
speak now that the great moment
had come Don't tell me you are
angry was only struggling author
and had to advertise my name. I
think l have loved you since the mo-
ment you stood on the curb and ask
ed me to pose"
Il wanted you very much" Joyce
said in such way as to find herself
in John Temples arms.