Judsonia weekly advance., 1917-03-21

lIie young painter ln ecstasy.
 If you are agreed, we will begin our sittings at once," she continued. They worked hard, Pat and Duvelle, to finish the picture-for there was none too much time to have the can- vas ready for the Academy. "The prize is mine," Duvelle would exclaim, as he contemplated his can vas.
 At last the canvas was finished and Pats trying and tiresome ordeal was at an end. The work was done just in time to hang the Purple Mask" at Mrs. Van Nuys accompanied her niece to view the collection on the opening day.
 Tn my opinion" said Pat, 'ft should get the grand prize."
 And she determined, secretly, that she would in some manner accom- plish that desired end. But when she learned that she had the cunning and l crafty Jakobski to deal with, before ] gaining her end, she realized that her 1 task would require all of her skill and ingenuity to accomplish. Pat learned of Jakobski's interest in the judges decision quite by acci- dent. She was admiring the paintings lung along the walls above low bal | cony, one afternoon, as the exhibition | was nearing it's close. It so happened | that no one else was on the balcony at the time. Pat heard voices below her on the main floor.
 1 There was a familiar note in the low notes of one of the men speaking, and Pats curiosity led her to take an | immediate interest in the conversa- tion. Quietly stepping to the edge of | the balcony she readily heard Jakob- 1 ski as he said:
 Tt means fortune to you gentle men, if the picture have spoken to you about should get the prize. You have the right to do it, and you will be literally rewarded"
 'But the public has selected The Purple Mask as favorite," said one of the men whom Pat knew to be the i. chairman of the committee of judges. How can we make The Dawn of Liberty win the capital prize with popular opinion against us." You decide, that's all. What you say will be final-and you will be in- dividually rich all the rest of your lives. Don't that mean more to you than public opinion?" urged the crafty I Jakobski.
 We are taking great risk, but the money should pay for our loss of pub l lie respect" said another member cf the committee. T for one am in favor !"
 The rest of the conversation was lost to Pat, as Jakobski and the com mittee moved away.
 'They shall not rob us of the prize" she declared, stamping her pretty foot in excess of her wrath.
 And that evening Jacques and Pat were hidden away, in safe seclusion, when the doors of the Academy closed. The prize was to be announced the next morning, when the public would be admitted to await the decision. Cropping their way through the dark l ness, after the watchman had gone to another section of the display, Pat and Jacques soon arrived at the spot where ''The Dawn of Liberty" hung behind the heavy curtains. Only a few feet away "The Purple Mask" was similar ly secluded behind thick drapes. Jacques submitted his strong shoul- ders for Pat to use in climbing high enough to dislodge ''The Dawn of Lib- erty" from its hangings and making all possible speed, 'The Purple Mask" and the prize winner Jakobski had, by his wealth determined on, had soon changed places and were hung safely behind the heavy drapings. As final touch of her achievement, she hung a purple mask on the corner of the frame which surrounded "The Dawn of Liberty" Then the daunt- less girl and her faithful assistant made good their escape.
  The ceremony of awarding the grand prize attracted great throng to the Academy. So sure were the judges of their procedure, that they foolishly made no effort to examine the painting, and nobody disturbed the draperies that hung before the ex- hibits.
 With much pomp and dignity, the judges announced that they had given their award to Exhibit No. 24-and as they made their declaration, the drapes were drawn aside. They had, fortunately for their reputation, made the designation by number instead of