Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-11-20
73ie Portrait
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By WALTER J. DELANEY


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS <<><<~<><%H<%>SSk
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union)
Poverty had been bad, sickness
worse, stranded, penniless in a great
city, the seeming crisis of all fortune
was to Walter Bliss but as nothing
compared with the mental suffering
that had come about through what
makes most souls buoyant and happy
love.
4 strange fate seemed to have pur.
sued the ambitious young artist. He
had come to Chicago believing that all
kinds of opportunities would develop
for brush and pen. His letters to his
sister Ruth became more brief, and
only occasional. Dispirited and unable
to secure even the necessaries of life,
Bliss was taken ILL., dwindled to mere
shadow in a hospital, and, weak and
sp1ritlesS, tramped the streets, sad
parody as a convalescent. He stood
looking into the window of an invit-
Ing restaurant at the sumptuous fare
displayed, when a friendly hand
glasped his shoulder.
"Why, Bliss % fell upon his hearing.
'oThe first time in three years | say,
what in the world has happened to
your
Whatever it was, Hugh Worden dis
cerned that poverty had something to
do with it. He led his old college
chu n into the place of feasting. He
piled Bliss with what was most ap-
petizing.
"Now, them" he said, ''tell us all
about IT," and with sympathy and genu-
inc interest Worden listened to the pa
thetic recital.
"We'll mend all this" he proclaim
ed heartily. duck has treated me
better.
Generous hearted, impulsive Hugh
Worden meant every word he said.
Within a week Bliss found himself in
stalled in pretty studio with two liv-
ipg rooms adjoining.
81 am going to introduce Y u to a
Miss Eva Dubois tomorrow" said
Worden one day. "You are to paint
her portrait.
'That is your fiancee" asked Bliss
"Hardly that. She is young lady
think a great deal of, and who
believe likes me. I went to her par
cnts when I knew that Cupid had de-,
livereG a fatal dart Neither her ia.
Their nor mother discouraged me- but
| they insisted that no actual engage.
men! should materialize for year. ]
want to present her portrait to her
mother on her birthday"
Eva Dubois flashed upon the vision
Of Bliss the following day, a marvel
Of loneliness and grace. From the
| first moment he realized that the i'm.
preston made upon him by this fairy
creature would remain while life last
ed.
There were a number of sittings
Som etimes WOrden was present. The
outlines and main essentials of the
POI trait were secured. Bliss was to
have a month to fill in details. He
had sent for his sister Rutff, and one
day she. came, a sweet, busy little be-
ing, delighted to reach the acme of her
ambition as housekeeper for her idol
lied brother Worden was there when
Ruth arrived. Bliss found out little
later that Worden made all kinds OF
excuses to visit the studio after that
Later, passing one of the living rooms
of the SUITE he was amazed, cOnfound'
eu to Overhear Ruth and Worden in
earnest conversation. Their tones
we're low and loving, and Worden was
telling his companion how fervently he
adored her.
Bliss had just completed the portrait
Of Miss Dubois and it had been framed
end sent to her home. Only an hour
previous Worden had told him cheer
lily: eva is anxious to have you call
and decide on the best light position
for the portrait"
Bliss was in a ferment. The ap.
parent disloyalty of his friend, the
fact that his sister had seemingly
fallen in love with him, the sad con
viction that he was about to see Miss
Dubois for the last time depressed and
CruSIlCu Hill. by d SERVANT lie was SIiOWu
into the room at the Dubois home
in which stood the portrait. With deer
emotion Bliss viewed the picture. His
soul was in his eyes, his entire pose
that Of person struggling with emo.
tons of no ordinary nature, and so Eva
Dubois construed the presentment as
she entered the ROOM
"Will you kindly go to the library
and see papa" spoke Eva finally. "He
will explain some matters to you apper.
tanning to the picture better than L
And I will wait for you here"
There was added to the strange
events of the day a final amazing dis.
closure for the young artist. Mr.. Du-
bois told him that he wished to pay
for the portrait, as Hugh Worden and
his daughter had decided to terminate
their quasi engagement.
"a good fellow, Worden,' spoke Mr..
Dubois freely, "but he seems to be
surer of new attraction than my