Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1915-10-09
OTHER FACE
Sylvia Discovered When She
Saw It That It Was Joy.
BY JeAN oIcKERsoN.

Sylvia Lawton pinned on her straw
fa and counting the rapidly dimin-
ishing contents of her little beaded
c'as3 che left the dingy hall bedroom
and sought the nearest dairy lunch.
E,cs since she had lost her position
as lookkoeper with the large import
ins house wAieh had crashed to ruin
wal; 1any other business failures Of
o., season. Sylvia had sought in vain
fol another position. There was no
ono at home to whom she might APP
peal for help; Aunt Susan, her only
ro.a;ive, 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 CT 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 Sylvia'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 few visitors at this hour
and the girl gowned in shabby blue
serge had the rooms to herself, save
for the watchful presence of scattered
attendants.
For an hour Sylvia reveled in the
beauty that was spread on the walls.
A catalogue gave bits of information
concerning many of the paintings.
There was one by an old master,
whose history was world-renowned.
It's presence in the gallery was a
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, darhly
beautiful, looked out with sorrowful,
tragic eyes.
Il wonder what is beneath the other
veil?" thought Sylvia. 81 would like
to see Fate's other face! This one
Expresses me with its woe-as if it
predicted what might happen to me-"
Overcome with sudden dread of the
uncertain future, Sylvia sank down
on a cushioned bench and covered her
eyes with her fingers.
So absorbed was she in the harrow.
not hear quiet footsteps on the pol
ished floor. Steps that hesitated as
they neared her seat and then went
forward to look at the picture OF
"Fate's Face"
Presently a mans cultivated voice,
filled with concern, fell upon her ear.
Pardon me, l 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 murmured. Il have heard
that the artist could not find a model
who embodied his ideal of Fates other
face, and so he yelled it, Sort Of a
surrender to Fate, eh?" He laughed
pleasantly.
Sylvia glanced at her catalogue for
the name of the artist, august
Everett Palmer" she read. why
she added with a delighted laugh, he
painted a Salon picture last year
Loves Cowardice!"
You know his work, then" re
marked her new acquaintance, With
a quick look from his dark, bright
eyes.
q am not a patron of the arts.
blushed Sylvia with her own mirth'
full laugh. II love good pictures ana
the Sunday newspaper supplements
are a great boon to poor art lovers
AZ the moment an attendant an
preached Sylvias 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 a min
gled look of fright and awe on her
lovely face.
"You-you are August Everett Pal