Sharp County record., 1918-12-27

was a stately affair; to be waited upon
so tremendously embarrassed her,
and she wondered uncomfortably, as
she met many pronounced stare, ii
anything were wrong with her attire.
After all, why did she wish to see
that long-absent one? Was it to sat
isfy herself once and for all that he
really had ceased to care? And then
he came. There was nothing unusual
about it if he, successful artist, were
in the city; this hotel would be natur-
ally the place where he would dine.
Yet the heart of Jane beat almost to
suffocatiOn, and she clasped her hands
tightly to control the emotion which
surged within her. And, after all,
came a vague sense of disappointment
Something was lacking about the man
that had been there in the youthful
long ago. Was 1t the bright air of con-
fidence which had pervaded his per-
sonality-or what? Jane could not
tell. She only knew that his face was
white and haggard as from loss of
sleep, that his dark eyes burned rest
lessly.
A sudden light of recognition famed
for a moment in the eyes which direct
ly met hers. Half-smiling, Jane leaned
forward, her hand extended in greet
ing. Then her hand fell Imply back
upon the table, for he had turned
away, deliberately ignoring her pres
ence. Her lips trembled like those OF
a grieved child as he rose and passed
from the room. He had remembered,
yet very evidently wished to see her
no more. And past all the patient,
weary years this fact had power to
stab her with a new and poignant
pain.
If he were ashamed to acknowledge
his Old-time friend here, before them
all, Jack Gordon had changed.
She had still quite few dollars left
she counted them over regretfully;
her spirit of holiday had flown. II
was, as she passed down the main
street the following morning, that Jane
came face to face with the picture.
She did not need to lean forward,
discerning his name upon the can
vas; the work was so truly his own.
In an art room it stood displayed, with
a ticket, "For Sale"
Breathless, eager, Jane fastened into
the store. 81 wish to buy that pic
ture," she said, with fine disregard
for price.
"Fifty dollars" announced the dealer,
"and remarkably cheap for Mr.. Cor
don's work."
Jane closed her eyes in quick men,
tai calculation. "Ill take It," she said.
"Where to?" asked the dealer 1--WE
box them carefully" And Jane gave
her Hillcrest address.
Out again in the street she stopped
dazedly, counting the change in her
bag. She had just money enough to
take her to lower Hillcrest-she would
have to walk home from there. But
hope, like the berries, again forced its
bright way,
"He must have remembered she
murmured joyously. The placing Of
the picture required much care. Jane,
standing upon chair the following
evening, seriously studied the ques-
ton. After ALL It was good to be back
in the old familiar room, And then
came a ringing Of the bell "1f--' an
tlcipated Jane; then, smiled at the
folly of her thought, She waited a
moment, nevertheless, to loosen softly
the waves Of her hair; 1t was so she
had worn It ten years ago. Then she
opened the door,
John Gordon did not speak until he
had entered the room, until his quick
glance had Travelled from James face
back to the picture,
"You--still live here?' he asked ab-
ruptly.
She nodded dumbly. "From the
suite you were registered In at the ho-
tel" he sald, "as saw you last night,
from the price you paid for my very
small picture fnncled," he waved an
arm about, "that you had grown away
from this, that you had perhaps In
hertcd money"
Jane spoke slowly. 81 have no
money" she told him,
"Thcn," he s0Id and bitterness was
In his tone, "you bought the painting
out Of pity for me, You have heard
of my failure, For all these dlsccur-
aging years I'VE pressed doggedly on,
refusing to give In, Persstlng In my
foolish dream Of. success, When !
ceased writing to you It was because
| could not bear 20 have you know of
my failure, to sacrifice your life to
useless promise When the grent OPP
portunIty should come, and with II
success, then would return worth
fly TO YOU" Tho man paused, ut
did not come" he added quietly, "But
stronger than myself was the ycnrn-
Ing TO see, and learn OF you again. SO
I cOmc hnck The picture wns offered