The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-02
Eist sl95--. Il s-ofs-
clLTHORpES SUCCESS
go
BY HOPE AINsLEE.

that room had been heavy of step and
seemed ever ready to drag furniture
across the floor or to drop endless
trifes, 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 bordering 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 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.
It was as he had feared. The thud
had been the falling of human body,
and Calthorpe knelt down to raise
the girls figure into 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 bis 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 at.
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.
Il think must have tainted"
These we're the first words she spoke.
There's not much doubt about it,"
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. am frightfully tired OF
life." she said. as if divining his
mental attitude toward her. Il am
unutterably weary She spoke not
bitterly or cynically. but calmly,
hopelessly.
you see," the girl continued, II
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 your"
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-
IDENTITY toward her. Il want to paint
your portrait. If you will just sit as
you are for me | will do every
thing In my power to make the world
q happier place for you"
Calthorpe was becoming so excited
over the prospect Of putting the ex-
quisite face en- 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 If 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 it was hung and the
world Of art had cast appreciative eyes
upon 1t. Calthorpe was no longer a
struggling landscape painter. He was a
portrait painter of rare genius-one
who could by mastery strokes of the
brush bring forth the soul of his sub
1ect. His Study" could have been
sold ten times over, and the price 1t
brought finally was a triumph for
Calthorpe.
A slender woman, in soft mouse
velvet. with wonderful auburn hair
and glorious deep eyes, stood beside |
him when the picture was hung.
Everly, who had advised Calthorpe
to forswear landscapes, was also /
present.
Mrs. Calthorpe," he said, with a
grim smile. your husband once told |
me there was no depth in the human |
countenance. l wonder II he still
holds to that opinion"
Mrs. Calthorpe glance shyly up-
ward at her husband. Calthorpe
lauOh rokhor