The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-01-16
HIS MASTERPIECE

| ! don't want to cross here. Cant W.
| go around some way!"
| eco around Broadway? Well, if tina
don't beat anything over heard. Fol
| goodness sake don't be SO afraid q
| everything. You look co!nlriiiet
enough without acting it,"
The girl started as if she had beer
struck, then bravcly followed hin
across the crowded thoroughfare. Bu
two tcartrops crcpt slowly down hel
flushed checks. A trcmor shook hel
slender form, while her large brown
eyes glanced appcalingly at her com
panion.
Four years before Bruce Robertson
left his home on the farm and had
come to n celebrated art school in New
York. His teachers had foStered and
improved his very great talent until
now his work had been recognized by
prominent critics.
At first the young artist went home
often to see Mary Corbin, his country
sweetheart. But the intervals be-
tween visits grew longer and longer.
until finally he decided he was too
busy to go out at all. At last, tired
Of waiting. Mary came to spend the
day in the city to see if Bruce was
well. But she found far different
lover from the one who had left her
four years before. Ashamed OF her
simple, rustic ways, Bruce avoided his
10 hn, 1,,hi In
in her presence. To the girl it seemed
the day would never end but, finally,
they came to the train which was to
carry her home. 1t carried away Il
girl torn with sobs and with an aching
void in place of a heart.
Several months later, a national art
exhibit for undergraduates of art
schools was announced to be held at
Washington. Bruce represented his
school. For months he worked on Il
painting that he determined would he
his masterpiece. Win the prize he
must and wonld. The subject he Sc
lected was "1he Spirit of Freedom"
He obtained 4 beautiful model and
put forth his best efforts to make a
perfect picture. He finished about IL
week before the exhibit and showed
The picture to his teacher. The in
StructOr declared the picture was per-
feet and assured Bruce the prize was
his. Reaming with satisfaction and
,ride, Bruce waited for the eventful
lay. l.
The large art gallery was packed to
he doors as the time drew near for
he judges decision. After prelimi-
nary exercises one Of the three elderly
men on the front of the platform arose
md cleared his throat.
Ladies' and gentlemen he began,
1 assure you it was no easy task to
ell the best painting from all those
We decided that one OF
wo pictures would win. These are
The Spirit of Freedom and Dawn.
n The Spirit of Freedom you behold
perfect picture. Not detail is lack
NJ. 1t is a triumph Of technique.
Dawn is far from perfect. But 1t
las one thing the first picture lacks
t has IA soul. And "Ihe Spirit Of
freedom without soul is Il farce
Therefore l take great pleasure In be-
slowing the grand prize on Harold
lockwood of Kansas"
AS the applause died away freck
ed-faced young man arose and bowed
While the judge handed the check Civ
N as prize. With bitterness in his |
leart Bruce rose and left the hall.
Day after day found the defeated
lrtist in his studio, working to paint |
new masterpiece. But he lacked |
dcns. And new feeling began to
'reep over him-a feeling Of loneliness. |
lie realized that he had not real
riend in tho world. He hadn't heard |
rom Mary since her visit to the city. |
AS he sat idly before his easel one
lay the clang of fire engines aroused |
Bruce to action. lie dashed down the !
trcet and found a large tenement in
lanes. The tiremen had lost hope of !
aving 1t and were giving their atten-
ion to the surrounding buildings.
While Bruce was watching the blaze
&c ':lrned to i: man near by and ex-
laimcd: 'Do you see that suffered
'indow on the top story? saw some,
hing move there just now. l believe
omeone is there. They can't put up
ladder because of the flames below.
m going up there"
Before the other recovered from his
urprise Bruce ran toward the door
f the doomed dwelling. Up the burn
lg stairs he sped until he reached the
Up, then he opened Il door on his
ght. Lying on bed was the wasted
Irm of IL girl. Bruce seized her and
etraccd his steps. Through fire and
n0kc he went until, at last, he stag
cred out the door and fell into the
rms of the tircmcn.
The next day, by inquiring. Bruce
'und thar the girl he had saved was
/ Il hospital. Being naturally inter-
sted In her, he determined to pay her
visit. As h" approached the he'd on
hich the sick girl lay Bruce gasped,
zen fcll'On his knees beside her. '""
MARY, how did You come to be
are!"
81 left homo nrnr Innr .Vn