The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-10-27
CkLTHORPE'S SUCCESS
BY HOPE AINSLEE.

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
tribes. such as trunks and pianos.
with a thud just over his head Poor
Calthorpe had been driven TO distrac-
ton, and his painting had suffered no
less than his ceilings.
1t 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. 1t
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 a 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. He knocked softly.
There was no answer Continued
knocking brought no response, and
Calthorpe's fears were accumulated.
1t 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 a swift
breath and closed the door gently.
1t was as he had feared. The thud
had been the falling OF human body,
~
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.
1t was not many more seconds be
fore he felt an emotional stab that
left him trembling 1t was when the
girls eyes opened and looked af-
frightedly into his own. There was
revealed such 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.
81 think / must have tainted"
These were 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. I am frightfully tired of
llfe," she said. as II divining his
mental attitude toward her. II am
unutterably weary" She spoke not
bitterly or cynically, but calmly
hopelessly.
You see." the girl continued. 81
have lost every one who was dear to
me. l saw them all snatched from
me in one CHASTITY moment l have
been trying to work, but l seem un-
able to stand the strain. You don't
blame me for not wanting to live.
do you?"
NO" Calthorpe 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 sat
gazing wonderingly upon the COM
fort of his studio. He turned sud
IDENTIFY toward her. 81 want to paint
your portrait. II you will just sit as
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 painfully
bought understanding and sympathy,
laughed softly. You may begin to
paint me now II you WISH" she said.
Her tone was that .of one to whom it
mattered little what she did.
Calthorpe called his canvas "a
Study" When 1t was hung and the
world of art had cast appreciative eyes
upon 1t, Calthorpe was no longer a
struggling landscape painter. He was a
nortrait Dainter of rara Renius-One