Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-31
The Argus Daily Story
The Picture-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

at the picture. There was pltter
smile on his thin lips as he hummed
a little tune under his breath.
1t was an excellent portrait Of JUS
tin Moore-a speaking likeness, one
might say, OF the artists closest friend.
Justin was handsome, with a beauty
of feature that barely escaped effem-
macy, but the mouth was strong
enough to justify the penetrating gray
Of dark hair and the resolute chin.
The pity of it was that the beauty
and magnetism of the face were hidden
forever. Justin Moore had died a
year ago, and the portrait, commenced
when he was vigorous with health,
had just been completed
Alicia Moore, Justin's beautiful
young widow, was coming to view it
for the first time. During the period
of her deep grief at the sudden loss of
her husband Justin's friend 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. 1t was he
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 yearning for SYM
| patty and understanding In her sor-
row. To Ralph Evans she spoke free
| ly of Justin and gave him, at first
shyly and then without restraint heI
| full confidence.
In the first sting of sorrow the por-
trait had been thrust aside, but of late
Alicia had yearned for the picture
and for her sake Ralph had painted
!! feverishly to complete it Now it was
& nished, and Alice was coming tC
| view it
AS he stood there, his fine eyes
meeting those of the portrait with q
certain defiance, he was thinking OF
Alicia Moore. He could see her, tai
and slender, in her black draperies
eagerly tracing the well known fea
lures of her beloved, choking bacl
tears of grief at the familiar smile II
the gray eyes and the winning curve:
of Justin's genial mouth.
A pang of agony struck in deep al
he thought of these things. Alicia wa
young and beautiful, and he had love,
her long and hopelessly. With tina
speaking likeness of her dead HUSBAND
ever before her, would she, could she
forget Justin? Could he. Ralph, eve
win her?
His heart answered mo"
The door of the studio opened, an
Alicia Moore entered, trailing sol
black draperies over the rugs. With
quick, graceful gesture she tossed bac
the Grape veil and glanced at the pic
ture
You have finished itT" she ques
toned eagerly.
Without answering Evans lifted hi
eyes and drank in the exquisite love
illness of her face. The soft, pur
texture of her fair skin, the deep blu
Of her dark dashed eyes and the re
gold coloring of her magnificent hal
shining beneath the sombre head COY
ering.
at is ready for Inspections hop
you will like it," he said hoarsely a
she withdrew her hand from his an
turned TO the portrait.
For few moments she stood in raI
silence before it. Then tears filed he
eyes, and her gloved hands We're pres
ed against her bosom.
How like him. Ralph! You hav
caught all the strength and nobility @
expression. This is wonderful. Poor
poor Justin" The tears dropped III
needed on her cheeks.
Ralph strangled q desire to comfoI
her-tO tell her that joy and happines
= yet remained for her; that she was tC
young to spend the years in grievin
n over one who could not be recalled
I He was fiercely jealous of Alicia's grie
for her husband. Would there neve
e be chance for him to lay at her fee
his life and love and happiness?
ut is the next thing to seeing JUST
in the fiesh," she murmured softl
sit shall hang in the library. Do yC
r know, Ralph, you have made me vel
happyT
She turned to him with outstretche
@ hand and trembling lips.
!. The hands that caught hers grippe
them. Something in his manner-h
silence and the bright fierceness of IA
eyes-startled her, and she withdre
n her hands with sudden reserve TIL
Evans was quick to note.
You can send it to me at once?" 81
asked.
- This afternoon If you wish. VI
send it by Satterly. He will hang
for you"
,r Thank you so much. No one b
"a Justin's friend could have caught the
intimate expressions" She smile
In brightly at him through the tears.
After he had placed her IN the elev
tor and had returned to the studio al
locked the door Ralph Evans went
- the picture and studied it with dar
inscrutable eyes.
0 Suddenly he caught up palette al
brush and added few def strokes
the pictured face OF Justin Moor
Then he stepped back and gazed de
(. sntly at the portrait
IL was still the portrait Of lust
AToOra fyYTf daurfrod nj To mobility q r