The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-04

could ever see any other picture save
tnat sudden. woebegone face of the
girl he loved! And he would not for
get lit would be his amulet against
the charms of women the rest of mis-
life.
Mr.. Gregory Benton's little nut
cracker face locked more irritated
than usual as he spoke to the pro-
pnetor of a certain art store which.
mad handled several of Roy Benton's
charming little studies of peasant life
in Europe.
fumed Mr.. Benton Here is my
nephew sending his pictures to you
to dispose of, and 1 can't get hold of
one to hang in my homei Who is this
tins person VINO has bought each
one before / could get hold of it?'
She is a Miss Alison; beyond that
| know nothing" said the man. She
mas paid the price named without de-
mar, although to outward appear
ances she IS far from rich; in fact,
she is quite shabby
would have paid you ten times
the amount you placed on each pic
ture, went on Mr.. Benton. Il want
to encourage the boy in his work
smith, save the Rext picture for me
no matter what it ISL
Very well, MI. Benton" said the
dealer
was standing in a well-known art gall
lery in which was hung the beautiful
painting by his nephew. The picture
had been accepted by the Paris Salon
York.
Uncle Gregory stood before the pic
ture enraptured with its beautiful sig
nlIjcance, its charm and mystery.
ed the seated form of beautiful
woman-a woman with lovely, woe
BECOME eyes of rich hazel, with softly
tinted cheeks and with tender lips
closed as # locking in some secret
sorrow. The white gown falling
mistily about her, the crown of dark
hair, the round chin cupped in one
curved hand were mastery in line
and tr- atment, but the loneliness and
the SpeechlesS woe of the silent figure
were its dominating features.
'Humphl" muttered Mr.. Gregory
Benton, at last, when an odd misti-
ness caused him to polish his eye
glasses. ''TEe lad never found that in
SEPARATION in the silences of India,
China or Japan-it came from nis
heart. and, hang it all, why should
he have any feeling like that in his
hearth?
He looked fierce1y around as if to
challenge any possible bearer of his
unspoken question. There was only
one other person besides himself be-
fore the picture in this first hour of
II.
The other one was a girl gowlcd in
shabby black serge, with a once. smart
little black hat on her dark hair. She
was sitting on the bench looking up
at the picture of Silence" with wee
begone eyes that were strangely like
the painted ones.
Gregory Benton stared at the girl
with growing wonderment. Then he
studied the picture and looked from
one to the other, his glasses poised on
his hawklike nose-first at the girl
and then at the picture. At last he
could bear the suspense no longer.
He bowed apologetically to the silent
girl and spoke.
II beg Pos n madam, but the re-
semblance is remarkable-remar |
You must have posed for that picture
Were you Mr.. Benton's mod |
FL may L ask?'
Mo- she said. in a sweet, tired |
voice, Il was not Mr.. Benton's model. |
1t is a wonderful picture, is it not? |
But to one who had seen his earlier |
work, it is not. surprising, is it?'
There was a sort of pride in the ar
list in her tone, and Uncle Gregory |
started violently at the recollection
Of what the art dealer had told him.
Are you by any chance Miss Ali |
SOM" he asked courteOusly
Yes. she said quietly, Il am Eve |
Alison.''
"Eve-Eve?" repeated Uncle Greg |
Dry. 'Why, that was the name of |
Roy's girl never knew her last
name. Did you buy his pictures from
Smith ?''
Yes said the girl in a shaking
one, and now he saw that the pow
srty of her dress told story of wom-
ms sacrifice for the man she loved.
Not only had Eve Alison given up her !
over to his career, but she had de-
)rived herself of comfortS-nay, ne
:essities, in order to buy his little
pictures and thus encourage him in
lis work. And the boy had taken her
mage away in his heart and made a
on canvas.
He, Gregory Benton, had dared to
Interfere between such a noble woman
Us this and the man she loved.
God forgive me-" he muttered as
lie leaned over and took her hands in
lis. Il am Roy's uncle-and L owe
'ou a great apology"
Half an hour later Roy Benton dis
covered them sitting together, the
girls eyes shining like stars and her
:heeks pink with excitement.
Eve" said Roy bluntly, Smith
las told me about your buying my
pictures Why did you starve your
elf to do it?''
"Oh, because-because- She
ooked in distress at Uncle Gregory.
The old man placed her hands in
Roy s.-(Copyright. 1915, by the Nc i.
lure Newspaper Syndicate.)