The Washington times., 1919-05-21
"The Dark Star
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS
Realizing His Own Faults Neeland
Tells Rue She Is Destined to
Become a Great Artist

She hesitated, breathless. smil-
ing back at him out OF her beautiful
goldengray eyes as though chAl-
longing him to doubt her loyalty or
her belief in him.
II was rather curious. too. for the
girl, was unusually intelligent and
discriminating; and Neeland's work
was very, very commonplace.
His face had become rather sober.
but the smile still lurked on his
lips.
Realizes Own Faults
Rue" he said. you are wonder
fully kind. But I'm afraid know
about my work. I can draw pretty
well. according to school standards;
and ] approach nearly the same
standards in painting. Probably
that is why became an instructor
at the Art League. But. so far, I
haven't done anything better than
what il called acceptable
Il don't agree with you" she said
warmly.
Its very kind Of you not to-" He
laughed and walked to the window
again. and stood there looking out
across the sunny garden. cot
course" he added over his shoulder.
II expect TO get along all right.
Mediocrity has the best OF chances.
you know"
You are not mediocre"
NO. 1 don't think I am. But my
work is. And. do you know" he
continued thoughtfully. that Is
very often the case with a man
who is better equipped 20 act than
to tell with pen or pencil how
others act. I'm beginning to be
afraid that I'm that sort. because
I'm afraid that ] get more enjoy
ment out OF doing things than in ex-
planning with pencil and paint how
they are done"
But Rue Carew. seated on the
arm Of her chair, slowly shook her
head:
"I don't think that those are the
only alternatives: do you:"
What other is there"
She said a little shyly:
IT think IL is all right to do things
IL you like; make exact pictures OF
but il seems to me that II one really
show in ones picture how things
might be or ought to be. Don't
you?"
He seemed surprised and In
terested in her logic. and she took
courage to speak again in her pref
ty. deprecAting way:
IF the function Of painting and
literature is to reflect, a mirror
would do as well. wouldn't e.? But
to reflect what might be or what
ought to he requires something
more, doesn't it,"
Imagination. Yes
"A mind. anyway. That
is what 1 have thought: but I'm not
at all sure I am right"
II don't know. The mind ought
to be rejecting only the essentials
Of reality"
And that requires imagination.
doesn't it," she asked. You see
you have put it much better than
have"
Have - he returned. smiling.
After a while you'll persuade me
that I possess your imagination.
Rue. But l don't"
You do, jim"
I'm sorry: I don't. You con-
struct. I copy; you create, I ring
changes on what already is; you
dissect. l skate over the surface
Of things-Oh. Lord, I don't know
what's lacking in me" he added
nth gay pretence of despair which
possible was less feigned than real
But l know this. Rue Carew. I'd
rather experience something in
teresting than make a picture of it.
And 1 suppose that confession II
fatal"
why. Jim"
Because with me the pleasures
OF reality are substituted for the
pictures Of imabination- Not that
don't like to draw and paint. But
my ambition in painting is and al
ways has been bounded by the WISH
BILE. And, although that does not
prevent me from appreciation-from
understanding and admirinE your
work. for eXample-it sets an i'm
pregnable limit to any such aspir-
alton on my part
His mobile and youthful features
had become very grave: he STOOD a
moment with lowered head as
though what he was thinking of de-
pressed him; then the quick smile
came into his face and cleared it,
and he said gaily:
I'm an artistic DCbbin; a reliable.
respectable sort of Fido on within
editors can depend: that's all. Don't
feel sorry for me-" he added,
much in demand"