The Delta independent., 1915-07-30

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gear of the painters craft. 1t was, IL
a way, a form of mind-reading, fol
Samson's brush was the tongue of his
soul.
The girls eyes grew thoughtful af
she saw that he still drew the leering
saturnine face of Jim Asberry. He
had not outgrown hate, then? But
she said nothing until he brought out
and set on an easel her own portrait
For a moment she gasped with sheer
delight for the colorful mastery of the
technique, and she would have been
hard to please had she not been de
lighted with the conception of her
self mirrored in the canvas. 1t was q
face through which the soul showed
and the soul was strong and flawless
The girls personality radiated from
the canvas-and yet A disappointed
little look crossed and clouded heI
eyes. She was conscious of an in.
definable catch of pain at her heart.
Samson stepped forward, and his
waiting eyes, too, were disappointed
you don't like it, Drennie?" he
anxiously questioned. But she smiled
in answer. and declared:
Il love It,"
He went out few minutes later to
telephone for her to Mrs. Lescott, and
gave Adrienne carte blanche to browse
among his portfolios and stacked can
vases until his return. In few min
utes she discovered one of those ef-
forts which she called his "rebellious
pictures"
These were such things as he paint
ed, using no model except memory
perhaps, not for the making of finished
pictures, but merely to give outlet to
his feelings; an outlet which some
men might have found in talk.
This particular canvas was roughly
blocked in, and 1t was elementally
simple, but each brush stroke had
been thrown against the surface with
the concentrated fire and energy of
blow, except the strokes that had
painted the face, and there the brush
had seemed to kiss the canvas. The
picture showed a barefooted girl,
standing, in barbaric simplicity of
a gaunt lion crouched eyeing her. Her
head was lifted as though she were
listening to faraway music In the
eses was indomitahla courage. That
canvas was at once a declaration OF
love, and a miserere. hdrienne set
it up beside her own portrait, and. as
she studied the two with her chin rest
ing on her gloved hand, her eyes
cleared of questioning. Now she knew
what she missed in her own more
beautiful likeness. 1t had been paint
ed with all the admiration Of the mind
The other had been dashed OF straight
from the heart-and this other was
Sally. She replaced the sketch where
she had found it, and Samson return
ing found her busy with little sketches
of the Seine.
"Drennie," pleaded Wilfred Horton.
as the two leaned on the rail OF the
Mauretania, returning from Europe,
are you going to hold me on In
definitely? I've served my seven
years for Rachel. and thrown in some
extra time. Am no nearer the goal!'
The girl looked at the oily heave OF
the leaden and cheerless Atlantic, and
its somber tones found reflection In
her eyes. She shook her head.
Il wish ! knew she said. YEARLY.
Then she added vehemently: I'm not
worth it, Wilfred. Let me CO. Chuck
me out OF your life as a little pig who
can't read her own heart; who is too
utterly selfish to decide upon her own
life"
.Is it"-he put the question with
foreboding-"that, after all, was a
prophet? Have you "a and South =
wiped your feet on the doormat
marked 'Platonic friendship? Have
you done that, Drennie?"
She looked up into his eyes. Her
own we're wide and honest and very
full Of pain.
NO" she said, I'VE haven't done
that, yet guess we won't.
l think he'd rather stay outside. VIII
fred. II / was sure loved him, and
that he loved me. I'd feel like cheat
there ie the other girl to think OF.
And, besides. I'm not sure what
! want myself. But I'm horribly
afraid I'm going to end by losing you
both"
Horton stood silent. 1t was tea
time, and from below came the strains
of the ships orchestra. A few ulster
muffed passengers gloomily paced
the deck.
You won't lose US both. Drennie,"
he said. eteadily. you may lose your
choice-but, II you find yourself able
to fall back on substitutes, I'll be
there. waiting"
For once he did not meet her scru'
tiny. or know of 1t. His own eyes were
fixed on the slow swing OF heavy,