The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-05
CALTHORpes SUCCESS
by HOPE AINsLee.

Calthorpes feeling toward the per.
son who was treading lightly about
in the room above him was that OF
gratitude. The former occupant OF
that room had been heavy of step and
seemed ever ready to drag furniture
across the floor or to drop endless
trifies, such as trunks and pianos,
with a thud Just over his head Poor
Calthorpe had been driven to distrsc-
ton. and his painting had suffered no
less than his ceilings.
IL was while he was pondering dis
consolately over the failure OF his
great Path Through the Woods
canvas that Calthorpe paused to
listen for the footsteps above him. IL
seemed to his sensitive ears that the
steps dragged and were weary.
He started suddenly. The dull thud
that broke the rhythmic tread above
sent q chilly fear over Calthorpe. He
went into the hall and up the flight
OF stairs that took him to the land.
ing and then to the door OF the room
above his own. lie knocked softly
There was no answer. Continued
knocking brought no response. and
Calthorpes fears were accumulated.
II was not until he had rushed
down for a huge accumulation OF
keys In his possession and had tried
each one quickly that he succeeded
In gaining access to the room.
He glanced In. caught q swift
breath and closed the door gently.
II was as he had feared. The thud
had been the falling Of human body.
and Calthorpe knelt down to raise
the girls figure into a sitting posture.
Her head fell inertly against his
shoulder.
He looked quickly about for means
OF recalling her to life. The room
was pitifully lacking in nourishment
either for the body or the soul He
lifted her gently and bore her down
to his studio.
II was not many more seconds be-
fore he felt an emotional stab that
left him trembling. II was when the
girls eyes opened and looked az
frightedly into his own. There was
revealed such a depth Of suffering, OF
misery and of pathos In those eyes
that Calthorpe came near losing the
remnant OF strength and reason he
still possessed. He was dominated
by an impulse either TO weep beside
her or TO press her face against his
breast that he might hide from her
the world that she had found so
bitter.
Il think must have tainted"
These we're the first words she spoke.
There's not much doubt about II"
Calthorpe said gently. you did
faint"
That was very foolish OF me-" the
girl sighed YEARLY. Then she straight
ened herself and looked about her
wonderingly. Almost unconsciously
she accepted the dainty bits of nour-
ishment that Calthorpe put into her
fingers.
Yes. am frightfully tired OF
life," she said, as II divining his
mental attitude toward her. Il am
unutterably weary" She spoke not
bitterly or cynically. but calmly
hopelessly.
you see." the girl continued. Il
have lost every one who was dear TO
me. saw them all snatched from
me In one CHASTITY moment ! have
been trying to work, but l seem IN
able to stand the strain. You don't
blame me for not wanting to live
do your"
mo" Caithorpe said. and rose
quickly to his feet. Il don't blame
you at all. my child" She seemed
little more than a child as she sal
gazing wonderingly upon the com
fort of his studio. He turned SUD
IDENTIFY toward her. Il want to paint
your portrait. II you will Just sit al
you are for me l Will do every
thing in my power to make the world
a happier place for you"
Calthorpe was becoming SO excited
over the prospect Of putting the ex
quisite face on canvas that uncon
sciously he moved toward his paints
At this the girl. with her painful,
bought understanding and sympathy
laughed softly. you may begin e
paint me now II you WISH" she said
Her tone was that .of one to whom Il
mattered little what she did.
|
Calthorpe called his canvas "A
Study" When It was hung and tn
world OF art had cast sppreciative eye
upon II, Calthorpe was no longer
struggling landscape painter. He was
portrait painter OF rare genius-on'
who could by mastery strokes OF tn
brush bring forth the soul OF his sub
ject. H.s Study" could have beel
sold ten times over. and the price
brought finally was a triumph 10