Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-07-03
TURNING NEW LEAF
Or Turning the Same One Twice
Case Of Failure Succeeding.
BY LAURA ADELiA kiRkMAN.

Dear Harry: When you read this
l shall be far away-back on the
road. l had to 60. Harry, | warned
you not to marry show girl Get
q divorce. | can picture the shocked
look that will cross your face at that'
you'll repeat get divorce IN voice
that Is almost ashamed to break the
silence Oh, why did you leave your
green, honest country and get into art!
Why did you make me marry you.
when | knew my new leaf wouldn
stay turned over? Harry, l wasn't
made for domesticity. love the road
too much. I'm back on the old )oD'
and I'm happy. Don't answer this.
Don't try to find me. You cant 90 H.
and. anyway, it wouldn't be any use
I'm here for good. Gwendolin.
Harry Goodnough dropped the note
on his wet palette. The red and green
oils slipped over it. covering the
words
81 guess paint is the only thing
that can blot them Out" he said. ITS
work for me-" Mechanically, he
turned back to his easel.
Then, like wild thing, he sprang
up, finging palette. brushes, Oil cup
TO the floor. He ytamped on them.
shattered them. He paced the floor
He might have suspected this-sus'
peeted it long ago Gwendolln had
not been taking little trips here and
there, for her health; she had been
hunting job. And all the time, she
had been sick and tired OF her home.
Get a divorce he repeated, and
his voice did sound ashamed to break
the silence.
He took delight In tramping upon
the remains Of his tools OF work.
There would be no more work for
him. he told himself
Yet, even as he vowed II, his physi'
cal action denied 1t; his very step be-
spoke a patient persistence which was
the foundation stone of his character
"a patient persistence born OF years
behind the plow. In his heart, Harry
knew that he would go on with his
work. wife or no wife, happy or un-
happy
So, when sudden sharp rap came
at the door, he was once more his
calm, dignitied self With his usual
businesslike manner he opened the
door and nodded good morning to his
model
Come In, he said briefly. ITS
new pose today-a big pose"
"A big pose" she echoed interest
.edly.
He selected a clean palette, before
he answered. A bitter smile played
about his lips. Yesterday he would
have talked eagerly, hopefully about
the great chance at hand; now, he felt
less than interested.
The picture is for the annual prize
competition Of the Apollo club" he ex-
planned slowly. The subject given
out, this year, Is: Failure.
She had taken off her wraps, and
now sat on the edge OF the model
stand. awaiting directions.
He added another lump OF color to
the little row on his palette before he
looked up
i planned to have you kneeling,
somehow, with your head buried In
your arms. Suppose you try"
She tried various ways. Finally
she struck a pose with her hidden
head on the seat Of plain chair, her
kneeling body on the floor 1t salts
fled him.
Fiercely he set to work-fiercely be-
cause strange haunting suggestion
had drifted into his mind; the girl
kneeling before him. face hidden. was
not unlike another slight young thing.
a young thing more fitted to the sub
ject. The resemblance haunted him,
nnnerved him. His hand grew I'M
steady. AT last he threw down his
brushes.
You can rest" he cried nervously.
Jumping up. He snatched his hat.
I've got to go out for more paints.
III be back in a moment
Swiftly he left the room. The cold
air OF the street braced him, cleared
his head He was able to think more
calmly. Gradually his stride slack
ened to Its usual pace, and he squared
his shoulders. He remembered, with
a wave Of comfort, that Gwendolin
had not lied to him. She had never
lied to him. From that, he deduced
that she would hold nothing back
that it was only the road that had TAX
en- her from him. He could bear 1t, II
the road was his only rival.
He turned back now. He could
paint again. The resemblance Of the
posing girl to the girl who was living
the pose, would no longer unnerve
him: for Gwendolin was a failure at
domesticity only. He had thought 1t
out, fought it out. Now he could bear
to go on with his work. His steps
quickened.
At the door of his studio. however,
he came to a sharp halt On the edge
of the stand sat his model in tears.
She hid her face In confusion when
she saw him.
He stood, moment, in indecision.
Then the question on his tongue
forced itself out:
What is 1t? Can | do anything to
help your"
4