The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-09

who saw no beauty in the human face but
| the beauty Of aspiration
the struggle which would come next day
Wnen she started back to school.
She was surprised on the following
morning to find that Prof Mitchell made
the end of his criticism she found courage
10 tel him that she was sorry for her
After this. things went more smoothly.
Inc two weeks slipped by without touch
or the unusual The secret knowledge
that IN her own workshop was a real
myself, gave her strength to work on
me picture which she considered her
II wont go near the exhibition she
promised herself. And I'll tear up the
picture as soon as it is returned to me-
. so greatly did she dislike to look at the
mask that on the night before the eX-
M. hlbitl ion she wrapped it up for delivery in
most of the students had done. to put on
the few last touches. With a great sigh
messenger boy
The other picture-the real myself
had been finished days before, and now
had decided to destroy it, as it's only ex-
cuse for being was the consolation it had
picture.
The destroying of it she delayed. how
ever She wished to forget the past two
weeks for a while-to pack, and plan for
her return home A great active future
lay before her
At o'clock on the next evening. when
the exhibition room at the school was
2fvertlowing with guests. Joan was kneel-
ing happily beside an open trunk.
"Oh-the picturer' she remembered sud
denly, jumping to her feet and snatching
up a pair of scissors.
AS she turned the canvas from the wall.
i The uttered te ed cry of horror She sank
real Myself, but the mask.
She struggled to her feet. Her head
swan dizzily- 1t seemed Incredible. impos
slDle, that she had confused the two. But
it made no difference now how it had hap
pened. Not even the thought that she had
probab bly, forfeited her diploma made any
d1Herence; her mind was benumbed by
She sank on it Imply. She made no
Even when a sharp rap came suddenly
at the door she did not stir But after
ly opened; she very quickly regained ami
l 1rfadlon; She sat up; sprang up; before her
know what you've come for.' she cried.
To tell me that can't have my diploma,
But l don't care! All I want is to be let
alonet L am so ashamed that can never
look you in the face again. I've only just
He made no answer. During the silence
he stood as motiOnless she. Presently
out of sheer nervousness she lifted her
When he had made her look at him
sSqI1arely he advanced slowly He held her ter
knew it was mistake-a lucky mistake
Pc you know that that t., painting ing shows
great mural artist-that you have the
ina gination-the symbolism?''
Joan had sprang back. She stood
straight. spirited, fired, like the figure in
the picture. Her face was swept with the
beauty of aspiration
AS he looked he almost expected to see
shadowy faces appear in the air about
her. In that instant his long-concealed
love for her revealed itself in his eyes.
And Joan. loking back at him. suddenly
lost the shrinking sensitiveness which mad
bound her like a chain all her life. She
stood facing him with the joyous conf
dence of a beautiful woman looking
deep. deep into an unerring mirror
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)