The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-12-15
CHAPTER x-csntInsss.

~
Charlie Thomas, now an art student
with IN amazing knaek for drawing
. carlesture % o man and Showing
that man'o soul In the deavsin0, hes
Just earieatured Jones', Q roportee.
Jones took the sketch, gave 1t one
look, and burst Into roar Of laugh
ter. He eyed the caricature again, and
the smile faded from his face.
"Say, professor" he said. whats
that boy trying to do. make fun Of mel
It's clever. but"
He paused and stared stupidity at
the sketch. 1t was like looking into Q
glass which reflected not alone his line
aments but his very soul. Every mean
ness, every little narrow, petty preju-
dice. every SNUG conceit, stood there
a. legibly as II printed IN Gothic type.
This young man." said McGregor,
may or may not be an artist some
day. ] often wonder II he will. But
he has this astonishing gift Of carica-
ture and hardly ever uses It. He says
he doesn't dare to; he hates to hurt
peoples feelings. He il singularly
tender-hearted. and wonder that he
should have allowed himself this indul-
gence"
II guess my face was too much of
q temptation to him." said Jones. He
slipped the sketch into his pocket.
"Goodby. young fellow: much obliged.
Goodby, Professor McGregor. Thanks
for your time and trouble"
'l'm awfully sorry, Mr. McGregor,"
said Charlie in distress when the ele-
vatr door had slammed. II wish I
hadn't done that"
II shouldn't worry, Thomas. Come
and sit down here. want to talk
to you"
Charlie sat down quite humbly.
Maybe he was in for a lecture.
Thomas" said Mr.. McGregor. did
you ever hear the parable Of the tai
entsr'
'sure have" said Charlie: every
body has"
II think you have q very remarkable
gift. my boy. Your pencil often dis
covers the splendid traits of some sub
jects az well AZ the meanness of 9th.
ers. The day may come when You will
be an instrument for good. because
you have this wonderful gift Of telling
the truth with . pencil or q bit Of
charcoal"
Maybe It will help me nnd the
Grail" said Charlie gravely.
'sThe Grail7"
"Us boys had society called tho
ali
the founder Of 1t. Most Of them went
Oh to school or college. But I've stuck
to II ever since"
"YoR haven't given up the Quest,
theny'
mo; I'm going to follow 1t as long
10 ! live"
swell. then Thomas. let me tell you
that your talent will help you find the
Grail. rs you have suggested. That Is
all for this morning."
Jones went back to the View office
and wrote his story. which in due time
appeared In the Sunday issue. But
II said nothing about Charlie Thomas.
Jones took home the sketch and hung
It with pin on the wall near his bed.
Every night before he turned in, and
every morning when he arose, he stud
led It.
''If that's the kind of chap l am"
he would repeat, I'm going to change
or bust" gaa
Mary Alice Brown looked up, one
morning in the gloves" and caught
the eye Of young man standing In
the aisle before her counter.
s"HeIlo, Mary Alice" said the young
man. He had a good-humored face,
a complacent manner, and very red
hair.
Francis willett,", cried Mary Alice.
where did you come from?"
The young mans red hair was par
tcularly noticeable, because he were
no hat. circumstance which struck
Mary Alice as odd.
II came down from the general Of
fees of this establishment to see you.
Mary Alice" said Francis. I'm work
ing here. Do you remember, we both
said we wished we didn't have to be
educated. SO we could work in a store
Well. we're both here"
'.But how about your education.
Francis"
eve just begun. was expelled
from college last week"
Likely. Why don't you tell the
truth? Are you sick or"
''CraEy? Yes, I'm crazy, I guess;
or was. If hadn't been crazy, I'd
still be in college"
Mary Alice studied Francis Willett
thoughtfully. She wished she had Char
He Thomas talent. She guessed,
shrewdly. that his father had given
him too much money to spend and 1t
had partly spoiled him. This grieved
Mary Alice. for at heart she was very
eo0d Of Francis.
.'What are you doing In the store7"
she asked.
"I'm learning the business; began
faala morning. I'm n sort of cub A.