The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-12-31

her. Nothing else mattered quite &c
much as that. And yet he did think
beautifully Of her in spite of every.
thing, though he could not but think in
the terms of her own statement last.
But it was 'aI in the game" A
man must laugh at those things, what
ever the laugh did to him. He was
facing another year today, that was
all, and her marriage to the other
man took place that night.
A black cat came out of the corner.
washing its face in the center Of the
room. A homeless kitten, it had ap-
peared the first day she had come.
stealing in the door at the time of
her departure. He had kept it as an
omen OF good luck and more. That
was something like nine months ago.
II such time could ever be reckoned by
calendar. She had told him then that
she was model, but had refused to
pose for him without drapes. Who
she really was he had found out weeks
later. It was too late then, for he
had fallen in love with her.
There was knock at the door and
he went to open it, Stanton, the ed
itor OF powerful weekly, entered. He
stalked around the room as one with
something to unload, and, at length.
hlnging himself on the couch, proceed
ed brusquely:
Hastings, you're an awful ass, and
because it was New Years / dropped
In to tell you about 1t. Ten weeks
ago your picture won highest honors
at the London exhibit. Two weeks
later you repeated in the Metropolitan
with another picture. But you have
not been acting like successful man.
but to the regret of your friends. like
a sloth and a fool. A couple of the
boys have seen you beastIy DRUM.
You have shut yourself away from
everyone and everything. You are be.
ing reviewed by every important Jour.
nal in the country, and yet you NOPE
around as though you were your own
lackey. There are one or two of MS
have begun to think it is a woman.
we do not know of any woman hut
that cussed portrait is always sitting
there. And l do believe the thing
lives
Hastings laughed a little. TT is
purely fanciful." he said, mot really a
portrait. And, of course, it is absurd |
to think of woman in the matter
suppose that have not been quite
well. Let US have drink, because
It's New Year"
III be hanged If l will, Hastings.
believe you have been drinking too
much. I have got to go now. | Just
-urned in for minute. But do not
orget what 1 have said"
i will not forget, Stanton: and
hanks for your interest. We cannot
sometimes explain ourselves to our
ielves.'
After Stanton had gone he took out
lis watch. 1t was five o'clock. and
he was to be married at nine. He
you'd sit in the rocker and go to
sleep. He would waken probably
bout about twelve and know that Il
vas all over. He would have a sand
1lch first and put the decanter of
laret beside him. Claret always had
tendency to make him sleep, particu-
arly II he put little sugar in it. He
Id these things, but it took him hours
browse OF, and only after he had
nrned the portrait on the easel.
It seemed but minute had passed
hen he awoke. OF course he knew
nat ne was not awake, that he was
roaming. Someone was weeping soft
on his shoulder, caressing his hair.
My one woman on earth had that
roma of person. If anywhere in the
orld he found one of her hairs and
'uched his cheek with it he would
ave known to whom it belonged,
hen her eyes, penitent and vet with
airs, came around. slowly meeting his.
18th start he realized that he was
wake. He held her. looking at her
something to marvel at. She ex-
aimed it all in whispered breath. Il
'uld not do it, Paul." she said. II
n away from them, from them all.
i'll you-will you marry me now,
He looked and saw that she wore =
edding gown.
There never was a minute when I 3
ould not, ;" he replied.-San Francisco
rgolaut.