Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-08-01


IF it were not such an unusual OPP
portunity to meet a notable" Molie
said, 81 would not think of leaving
Won. Billy. But fancy the privilege of
seeing with ones own eyes great
sought-after artist. 1t is pure luck
Anna Warwick happening to be his
favorite cousin and thus persuading
the parsonage not only 10 meet her
village friends but to talk to them
upon Art Across the Seas
"He has refused all Invitations here
tofore and the flattering hospitality OF
New York. SO if you are sure you
VIII not mind my going. Billy"
And Billy was very sure that he did
not mind. Mollle almost forgot the
disagreeable incident of the morning
MS she arrayed herself In her new and
modern white gown. She must show
that artist from abroad that they were
not behind the times in Waycross, even
though the grass grew tall upon each
side of Main street. But when she
entered the Warwick's brightly lighted
reception room, disappointment was
evident among the assembled guests,
for the great artist had not arrived.
Tile left the house early this morn
ing" Anna Warwick conf1ded "prom-
Using to return for luncheon And such
n perfect luncheon as / had prepared,
my dear. But he did not return. Din
ner was also served without him; no
excuse for his delayed absence, not
even a telephone message. Tempera-
ment, suppose. Wandered all the
way to Brayton, no doubt, looking for
light and color, and then probably
calmly sat down and ate his meal in
the hotel, forgetting all about us.
Franz Is quite equal to do a thing like
that. but by this time you'd think he
might have glimmering Of returning
consciousness. Wen, I will show the
people some Of his sketches and his
picture.
'Here, Mollie, dear. Is his photo
graph Striking likeness. Distln-
guished looking, don't you think?'
MOllle, the large photograph clutched
In her hand, suddenly subsidized upon
n deeply soft couch Where had she
seen that small uptwIsted mustache.
those steely clear eyes, that crisply
curling fair halr--even the studious
frown beneath the fine browse
There was no need to think. The
face had been lndelibly stamped upon
her memory as It's owner had stood
that morning on hand reaching for the
knob Of her auto door. The barrel OF
Billy's empty revolver had been lev
elled at that same distinguished coun-
tenance. And he, the man had said.
he had injured his ankle and could
not walk. He, the great adored artist,
while she, Molly the heart3ss, the
suspicious, had actually threatened his
life and ridden awayl oh 1t was
horrible! Perhaps now even as the
eager throng awaited his coming, the
suffering man lay alone
"Anna," she said, with a little quick
catch In her voice, 81 must go home;
now. at once"
"Well, dear" her friend agreed "if
it's Billy you are worrying about Of
course we viii excuse you"
Molly did not wait to see Billy. Her
remorseful heart burned to atone. In
the garage she found the little red car
and turned on its lights. A moment
she fingered to sweep into a box the
contents OF two plates left from the
evening meal then out into the night
silently swung the car.
On past the last twinkling house
light. nolslly over the wooden bridge.
heavily through the newly cut roads
into the deeper darkness. The head
fights showed him at last, long figure
stretched motionless beside the road.
his face appraised to the stars.
ia moment MollIe was bending
over him. "Oh!" she breathed in re-
lief as his unbelieving eyes looked up
into hers. Il feared that you had
tainted"
A grim smile slowly spread itself
over the artists whItened face THE
surprising young woman!" he MUIR
INJURED "FIave you returned to carry
out your threat of shooting me down2
If so, am completely at your mercy"
He pointed to his crudely bandaged
ankle. Couldn't get away If l tried"
"Oh, please" Mollie entreated. her
eyes soft with pity and almost in
coherent IN her repentant haste she
told him the days story.
"And So" he said ut last, 'you were
defending Uncle Sans mail you were
plucky enough to take the place of an
Invalid brother, and tonight" his eyes
held hers In strange fascination, YOU
came hack alone over the rough ways,
through the darkness, to rescue me, a
strauger7'
Mollie nodded, and the clasp Of his
hand was so feryent. so pleasantly dis
concerning, that she turned In laughing
embarrassment to the emergency lunch
she had brought him And after that,
his grateful glance still upon her, she
led him heavily leaning upon her
shoulder 70 the waiting car.
At t'e Warwiek's entrance. when
she turned TO leave the artist put
forth his hand THE atonement," he
said, and the slight accent had now
caressing sound "lS not yet complete.
| must exact until the time OF my re-