The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-02-22
THE IDEAL.
BY RANsoME HARRADEN.
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Copyright. 1918. western Newspaper Union.)

of sunny contentment. Through the
whole neighbOrhood the name Rupert
Woods was one to coniure by.
So much for the surface indications,
yet the man had his ideal and led a
dream life. Just over the mantel was
a photograph of an exquisitely lovely
and graceful young woman. 1t set
back in a deep, rich frame. When
ever Woods came home with a rose
or a carnation in his buttonhOle, he
would place it next to that delicate,
lifelike face about which he had built
up a secret romance that pleased his
fancy and satisfied his soul.
"a sister? A relativeT' once his
landIady ventured to insinuate, but
Woods only smiled in a noncommlttal
way and asked with an admiring
glance at the portrait:
us she not truly sweet and beau
tiful?"
It was a year ago when Woods had
secured that photograph. Always he
had a mental conception of his ideal
of perfect woman. One day he stood
spellbound. His vision had material
lied. Coming out from the entrance
10 a photograph gallery was the be-
ing he had limned in fancy. Ere he
could get back to earth again, she had
disappeared in the moving crowds and
he had never seen her since.
But about two months later, passing
the same photograph rooms, in the
case outside among the exhibition por-
traits was her own. 1t was perfect
piece of artistic work. He entered
and indicated to its proprietor that he
wished to buy a certain picture.
"Oh! we never sell those" demurred
the photographer.
"Can you tell me her name-can
you give me her address?" pressed the
eager Woods.
II cannot. The young lady ordered
half dozen. came after them, paid
for them" But then, after due per-
suasion and a liberal money offer,
Woods succeeded in securing the prize.
That lovely picture was a comfort to
him.
One day Woods came home ill., and
the landlady called n doctor. The lat
ter ordered him to bed. and said to the
landlady:
"Mr. Woods is going to have several
weeks of illness. see no particular
danger, but you had better advise
his near relatives"
'Bless you, sir" exclaimed the
whole-hearted landlady, abe has told
me hundred times he has none. No,
sir only in the neighborhood. Even
the street children fairly idollze him,
he is so kind and thoughtful Of all.
The next morning Woods was in the
throes of fever. The doctor noticed
lying on a table a lot Of little sealed
and directed envelopes.
"What are those?' he inquired Gu
riously.
Recreation envelopes. sir" ex-
planned the landlady. you see, sir,
every last day Of the month 1t has
been the custom Of Mr.. Woods TO give
Ia lot of poor. Woodworking people a
little money. It may be to one fam
lily enough for a weekend trip, admis-
sion to some entertainment, a base
hall and bat for a lad, a doll for
url. Little surprises, regular as the
sun, and, OH bringing such joy and
glsdness. He said last night II he was
going to he sick. he'd better arrange
for the regular donations"
"a remarkable man; certainly p
good one" mentally approved the doc
tor. Then he looked fixedly, and in
some surprise, at the photograph on
the mantel.
"Why! Who is this" he inquired.
THAT he never told anybody, sir"
Or. Ransome Nelly the next morn
ing addressed Miss Eva Winton, the
young lady who had charge of the Of
fee for half dozen physicians.
Miss Wlnton," he said, IT have a
patient who seems TO have no friends,
and l found your photograph in his
ROOM
"How can that be?" questioned the
young lady. 81 have but six pictures,
end can account for them ALL
"Well, IT is mystery enough, and
my patient Is Interesting enough to
make me DESTROYS Of having you go
with me on my call today
Miss WInton was as much Mt sea Sc
ever when she saw the photograph In
question. Woods was In a mild de-
lirlum. He would babbIe Of pretty
rural scenes, Of glowing sunsets. Then
the doctor and Miss Winton exchanged
enlightenlng glances as his mind
seemed to wander over his ideal, the
picture, it's original. And thus Il came
about. because the soul of the patient
revealed Il palace filed with only beau
tiful thoughts, that doctor and the
girl became intensely interested in this
strange man who cherished this most
peculiar romance.
Eva called to leave medicine, and
would sit around and chat with the
landlady. One afternoon the patient
onened his eyes. For the first time
consciously, they fell upon the face
of his visitor. His own was glorified
with a rapturous smile. He half-lifted
himself. "She comes to me-" he cried,
the vision is true. 7 am content"
and sank back exhausted.
"What will come Of it?" speculated
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