The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1919-10-16
DSe Portrait
~
By WALTER ]. DELANEY

tr>>>>~~>~~~~>>~~$~~
Copyright. 1913. by the Western News
!, paper Unionp
Poverty had been bad. sickness
worse. stranded. penniless in n great
city, the seeming crisis Of an 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.
y strange fate seemed to have pur-
sued The ambitious young artist He
he'd trme 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
10 secure even the necessaries Of life,
Bliss was taken i'll. dwindIed 20 mere
shaoow in hospital. and. weak and
spritless. tramped the streets, sad
| parody as a convalescent. He stood
looking into the window of an invit-
Ing restaurant at the sumptuous faro
| displayed. when a friendly hand
| giasped his shoulder.
why, Bllss!" fell upon his hearing.
| The first time in three years, | say,
what in the world has happened to
| youf'
Whatever IL was Hugh Worden dis
| ccrned that poverty had something to
| do with il. He led his old college
chm info the place of feasting. He
Piled Bliss with what was most ap-
pefizing.
NOW. them" he said, tell us all
about H." and with sympathy and genu-
Inc interest Worden listened to the pa
tlietie recital
Wen mend sill this" he proclaim
ed heartily. Luck has treated. me
better.
Generous hearted. impnlsive Hugh
Worden meant every word he said.
Within week Bliss found himself in
stalled in pretty studio with two liv-
Jig rooms adjoining.
Il am going to introduce you 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 1
believe likes me. I went to her par
cnts when I knew that Cupid had de
liverec a fatal dart Neither her fa-
ther nor mother discouraged me. but
they insisted that no actual engage
Ineui should materialize for year. I
want to present her portrait to her
mother on her birthday"
Eve Dubois flashed upon the vision
of Rliss the following day, marvel
nf 10y eiiness 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.
Son etimes Worden was present. The
outlines and main essentials of the
POI trait were secured. Bliss was TO
have month 10 fill In details. He
had sent for his sister Ruth, and one
dav she came. a sweet, busy little be
iue, 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
IF the suite. he was amazed. confound-
eG to overhear Ruth and Worden in
earnest conversation. Their tones
we're low and loving. and Worden was
telling his companion how fervently he
a0ored her.
Bliss had just completed the portrait
. Miss Dubois and it had been framed
md sent TO her home. Only an hour
'revious Worden had told him cheer
ly: Eva is anxious to have you call
md decide on the best light position
or the portrait
Bliss was in ferment. The ap-
,arent disloyalty of his friend. the
allen in love with him. the sad con-
fiction that he was about to see Miss
dubois for the last time depressed and \
rushed him, By servant he was shown
nto the room at the Dubois home
n which stood the portrait. With deep
motion Bliss viewed the picture. His
oul was in his eyes, his entire pose
hat of a person struggling with emo
ions of no ordinary nature, and so Eva
dubois construed the presentment as
he entered the nom.
"Will you kindly go TO the library
nd see papa" spoke Eva finally. HE
i'll explain some matters to you apper-
inning TO the picture better than l.
nd l will wait for You here
There was added to the strange
vents OF the day a final amazing dis
osure for the young artist. Mr. Du
Dis told him that he wished TO pay
n the portrait. as Hugh Worden and
IS daughter had decided to terminate
leir quasi engagement.
"A good fellow. Worden." spoke Mr.
ubois freely, but he seems to he !.
irer of new attraction than my
iughter. who. while a good friend TO
m, seems to have been that only"
Eva flushed when Bliss came back to
IT Neither referred to Worden or