Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1915-09-24
.FATE's OTHER FACE
Sylvia Discovered When She
Saw 1t That 1t Was Joy.
BY JEAN pIcKERsoN.

4
Sylvia Lawton pinned on her straw
hat and counting the rapidly dimin-
fishing contents of her little beaded
purse, she left the dingy hall bedroom
and sought the nearest dairy lunch.
Ever since she had lost her position
as bookkeeper with the large import
i ing house which had crashed to ruin
with many other business failures of
the season, Sylvia had sought in vain
for another position. There was no
/ one at home TO whom she might APP
peal for help; Aunt Susan, her only
relative, had her stout heart and
hands full bringing up a family OF
healthy boys and girls. Sylvia could
not add to their burdens-and yet.
what could she do?
All morning Sylvia had personally
answered advertisements culled from
first editions of the newspapers. She
was tired and disheartened.
/ When her meager lunch was over
she left the restaurant and walked
toward the brilliant avenue which
threads the duller cross streets. At
the corner hung the sign OF a well
known art gallery. There was an
exhibition going on and Syivia's
beauty-loving soul.. craving some
thing beyond the sordidness of her
workaday life. prompted her to push
open. the plate glass doors and enter.
There were fewifisitors at this hour
and the girl gowned, In, shabby blue
serge had the rooms to herself, save
/ for the watchful presenceFof scattered
/ attendants.
For an hour Sylvia reveled in the.
beauty that was spread on the walls.
A catalogue gave bits of information
I concerning many OF the paintings.
/ There was one by an old master,
whose history was world-renowned.
/ It's presence In the gallery was
nine days wonder.
Beyond this picture was another
that held the, girl entranced by its
suggestion of mystery. 1t was called
! "Fate's Face" and depicted the
shrouded form OF a woman with two
faces. One face, turned away, was
closely yelled; the other, darkly
+ beautiful, looked out with sorrowful,
tragic eyes.
II wonder what is beneath the other
veil?" thought Sylvia. Il would like
to see Fate's other facet This one
Expresses me with its woe-as IL it
predicted what might happen.to me"
Overcome with sudden dread OF the
uncertain future, Sylvia sank down
/ on cushioned bench and covered her
| eyes with her fingers.
So absorbed was she in the harrow
ing cares that beset her that she did
not hear quiet footsteps on the pol
ished floor. Steps that hesitated as
/ they neared her seat and then went
i forward to look at the picture of
"Fate's Face"
Presently a mans cultivated voice,
filed with concern, fell upon her ear.
Pardon me, ! am afraid you are
Ill"
Sylvia's hands dropped and recover
ing herself with a great effort, she
smiled through the mist OF tears in
her blue eyes.
Thank you. / am quite WE'LL was
only thinking" She arose and would
have moved away. but he put out a
hand to stay her.
do not let me disturb you" he
said courteously. Il am going now.
Have you seen this picture by Ruff
fen--The Old Peddler?"
Sylvia nodded toward the master
piece. "Oh, yes; but this one, Fates
Face, attracted mel was wondering
what Fate's other face looked like
the yelled countenance, you know"
1T is rather tantalizing not to
know" he murmmed ~ have heard
that the artist could not find a mcS.e!
| who embodied his ideal of Fate's ether
face, and SO he yelled it. Sort OF a
surrender to Fate. .eh?"s He laughed
pleasantly.
Sylvia glanced at her catalogue for
the name of the artist August
Everett Palmer" she read. Why"
she added with delighted laugh, he
painted a Salon picture last year
Loves Cowardice!"
I You know his work, then" re-
marked her new acquaintance, with
a quick look from his dark. bright
eyes. ar
Il am not a. patron of the arts"
blushed Sylvia with. her own mirth-
7 full laugh. Il. love good pictures and
the Sunday newspaper supplements
are a great boon to poor art lovers
AT the moment an attendant ap-
1 preached Sylyia's companion. Mr..
Chisholm would like to see you before
you go, Mr. Palmer said the, man.
Very WELL" said Palmer turning
back to Sylvia He surprised min
g1ed look of fright and. awe on her
lovely face,
"You-yoti are August, Everett Pal
mer?'' gaspeds Sylvia. go.
YES" he smiled down at her.
'Then, you should know Fate's
other -face-teIl me, please. do tell
me what was your ideal?"
PaImer's strong face grew dreamy