The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-01-25
e. Nothing" she answered laus

ing, my ART must carry uks through
Diana worked desperately at hrr
masterpiece. and when at las, II was
completed Jne' stood before ,hr pnln'
In" losl IN awpd admiration me
words ut pl:, Isl lle .unged to say
fused 10 hr .In,'"M
"niar" he pirtd"d gently ""or,"
home with rnn r,w and rest
"Yes. NJ, : hinv." snr answered
with nnexpe, ted mceknpss. aud white
Joel attended 10 he rvhibitin" If hrr
painting Diana reveled among the
flowers in the old Homestead garden
Joels mother called IL him from 'hr
verandn one afternoon Have Won
seen Diana?" she asked II have miss
ed her for some time
mo" he replied: II have not seen
her" A sudden presentiment paIed
his face beneath it's coat of tan. With
nervous haste he produced KEY ring
though he knew inStinctiveIy that rho
key he sought would not be there
After MI these months of watchful
ness he had left II carelesSly in an
open door. and this open door would
reveal to the girl he loved the futil1y
of all her bright hopes. Hastily on
tering the house he assembled rear
stairway and. reaching the second
landing. passed on again to an attic
door The boards resounded beneath
his tread as he crossed to a doc"
which led into small gable room
Joel heSitntcd moment as though to
gain courage. then stepped inside
Upon the four walls finished to re
ceive them hung many paintings in
costly frames. They were all here
Diana's pictures-not one missing
from the first crude sketch to her lat
est triumph. and crouched upon the
door. her slight figure shaken by noise
less sobs. lay the little artist.
DIANA" the man whispered.
She turned upon him fiercely. "sn
this is what you have been doing all
along" she cried. buying my paint
ings and hiding them here in your gar
ret. while have been living upon
your money. Why did you let me 60
on believing in myself-in my art
when am but a hopeless failure"
1T has all been a mistake. Diana"
joel said unsteadily-"j another
one of my laundering ways of trying
b make you happy. and you must
know that every picture was given a
fa1r chance before finally brought
it-here"
"Oh. am sure of that" Diana an
swered and laughed mockingly "Ru'
you had no right to deceive me. Joel
no right to force upon me money which
did not earn
~ have spent great deal of money
in my life for things which gave no
pleasure" the man answered gen..v.
''whiie each p6ceaeo Of yours. Dana.
has been worth more than twice its
price to me"
The girl sighed and motioned to-
ward the pictures my career has
begun and ended here" she said.
Joel took one step toward her, then
paused DIANA" he said tensely.
marry me and | will help you realize
your ambition.
mo, JOEL" she said YEARLY. you
must invent some other plan to help
me out Of my difficulty
"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
nonaire. have with meY'
Diana made no response. and with
one backward regretfuI glance Joei
hurried away. When he returned
few moments later his voice was
strangely brusque. MIR. Fox came to
see me concerning your painting.
Loves Magic. Diana. He wishes to
purchase it,"
Joel the girl cried reproachfully.
1T Is quite true" Joel repeated. Il
would not deceive you further" Then
his face darkened. mo one shall buy
the picture" he said passionately. ut
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. II can paint pictures. can
Before he could speak she had disap.
peared down the stairway
When Joel entered the parlor the
young millionaire stood looking down
into Diana's glowing face II am an
ardent art enthusiast" he was saying
"but no conception Of the old masters
has ever appealed to me as your beau
ttful fancy has done. must have
the picture. Miss Dale You shall
name your own price
Diana turned with pretty dignity to
Joel "Mr Burton manages my bust
ness affairs" she replied
81 must refer to an authority before
putting a price upon the picture" Joel
said slowly IT have not sufficient
knowledge to speak on the subject of
art. II can only feel its beauty"
Mr. Fox looked slightly amused
1.-THE painting, Loves Magic Ia not
for sale Diana said suddenly IF
you VIII Civ" me a trial. Mr.. Fox.
will paint another picture. which shall