The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-03-07

DIANA worked desperately at her
masterpiece. aud when at last II was
completed joe stoud before the paint.
ing lost In awed admiration. The
words Of praise he nnged to say re-
fused to be spoken
"Diana." he pleaded gently. come
home with mo now and rest"
"Yes. MIR SYhinV." sne answered
with unexpected meekness. and while
Joel attended to the exhibiting OF her
painting Diana reveled among the
flowers in the old homestead garden.
Joel's mother called to him from the
veranda one afternoon. Have you
seen Diana?" she asked ~ have miss
ed her for some time"
mo" he replied; 81 have not seen
her" A sudden presentiment paled
his face beneath It's coat of tan. with
nervous haste he produced key ring
though he knew instinctively that the
key he sought would not he there
After all these months Of watchful-
ness he had left II c"relesSlv in an
open door. and this Omen door would
reveal TO the girl he loved the futility
Of all her bright hopes Hastily en-.
tering the house he nsccndpd rear
stairway and. reaching the second
landing. passed on again to an attic
floor The boards resounded beneath
his tread as he crossed 10 door
which led into small gable room
Joel hesitated moment as though to
gain courage. then stepped inside
Upon the four walls finished to re
ceive them hung riany paintings in
costly frames They were all here
Dianas pictures not one missing,
from the first crude sketch To her lat
est triumph. and crouched upon the
floor her slight figure shaken by noise
less Sobs. lay the little artist.
Diana" the man whispered.
She turned upon him hercely $50
this is what You have been doing all
along" she cried. buying my paint
lngs and hiding them here in your gar.
ret while ! have been living upon
your money. why did you let me go
on believing In myself-in my art
when am but hopeless faiure?'
"lt has all been n mistake. Diana"
Joel said unsteadly Just another
one Of my blundering ways of trying
TO make YOU happy, and you must
! know that every picture was given a
fair chance before finally - brought
! There"
"Oh. | am sure of that" Diana an.
Swered aud laughed mockingly. "Rut
YOU had no right tn deceive me. Joel -
no right To force upon me money which
did not earn
81 have spent Il great deal Of money
| In my life for things which gave no
| pleasure" the man answered gently.
while each picture OF yours. Diana.
has been worth more than twice its
| price TO me T."
The girl sighed and motioned to.
ward tue pictures. MY career has
begun and ended here" she said
Joel took one step toward her then
! paused "Diana," be said tensely,
marry me aud will help you realize
| your ambition
mo. Joel" she said YEARLY. "you
must invent some other plan to help
| me Oul VI ilA ulHl'NllN
"A gentleman to see you. sir" called
Lizzie from the threshold, and Joel
put out his hand to receive a square
white card.
Strange" he muttered. What
business can Harold j. Fox. the mil
| lionairc have with me-
Diana made no response, and with
one backward regretfu glance Joel
hurried away. When he returned II
| few moments later his voice was
! strangely brusque Mr. Fox came TO
see me concerning your painting.
Loves Magic Diana. He wishes TO
| purchase It,"
Joel" the girl cried rcproaChfuly.
ut is quite true" joel repeated. 81
would not deceive you further Then
| his face darkened. mo one shall buy
the picture" he said passionately. "lt
| is mine
Diana's eyes widened. Then. half
laughing, half crying, she ran toward
the door. Don't you see what this
means TO me. JOel?" she said breath.
lessly, Il can paint pictures. can"
ipNiOlt hN 'OAlu ollNbh huu
peared down the stairway.
When Joel entered the parlor the
| young millionaire stood looking down
into Diana's glowing face. 81 am an
ardent art enthusiast" he was saying.
but no conception Of the old masters
has ever appealed to me as your beau
| tifrl fancy hns done I must have
the picture, Miss Dale. You shall
, ~ me your own price.
Tlann turned with pretty dignity to
Joel "Nr Burton manages my busi.
! ness affaire." she replied
~ must refer Ia an authority before
ruttlng n price upon the picture" Joel
said slowly II have not sufficient
KNOWLEDGE 10 speak on the subject OF
art. can only feel its beauty
Mr. Fox looFed slightly amused
"Thc painting. loves Magic Is not
for sale" Diana said suddenly. "lf