The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-07-31
1fe Portrait
~
By WALTER J. DELANEY
1919. by the western News
paper Unios)

lily, tne seeming criSlS 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.
\ strange fate seemed to have pur-
sued the ambitious young artist. lie
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
- secure even the necessaries OF life,
rliSs was taken III, dwlndled to n mere
>haoow in a hospital. and. weak aud
,plritiess. tramped the streets. n sad
parody as convalcscent. lie stood
looking into the window Of an invit-
inc restaurant at the sumptuous fare
displayed. when friendly hand
c,aspet; his shoulder.
why, Bliss" fell upon his hearing.
The first time In three years. ! say.
what in the world has happened to
YOU"
Whatever II was. Hugh worden dis
rcrncd that poverty had something to
de- with IL. He led his old college
Gnu y into the place of feasting. He
ili"d bliss with what was mos, APP
rtil1lnH.
Now then, b" said, tell us all
ah""t w. ana win sympathy and genu-
'h' INTEREST N"rd'n listened to the pa
'h"li' recital.
Wen mend all this" he proclaim-
- heartily. Luck has treated me
better.
Generous hearted, impulsive Hugh
Worden meant every word he said.
Nithln week Bliss found himself IN
stalled In pretty studio with two iiv"
itr rooms adjoining.
u am going to Introduce you to
MISS Eva DUBOIS tomorrow, said
Worden one day. You are to paint
her portrait.
Ihat Is your nanceeF asked Bliss.
Hardly that She Is young lady
] think a great deal Of. and who
believe likes me. | went TO her par
cnts when ! knew that Cupid had de-
Z
Their nor mother discouraged me- but
I they insisted that no actual engage
inen' should materialize for year.
/ want to present her portrait to her
mother on her birthday"
| Iva Dubois flashed upon the vision
I Of Hiss the following day, a marve
of loneliness and grace. From the
A M
! preston made upon him by this fairy
creature would remain while life last
ed.
There were number or sittings.
Son etimes Worden was present. The
outlines and main essentials or the
portrait were secured. Bliss was to
have n month to I'LL In details. He
had sent for his sister Ruth, and one
dav she came, sweet. busy little be-
ing. delighted to reach the acme OF her
ambition as housekeeper for her Idol
tied 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-
ed to overhear Ruth and Worden in
earnest conversation. Their tones
we're low and loving, ana Norden was
telling his companion how fervently he
adored her.
Bliss had just completed the portrait
ct Miss Dubois and it had been framed
end sent TO her home. Only an hour
previous Worden had told him cheer
ily Eva Is anxious to have you cal
and decide on the best light position
for the portrait.
Bliss was In ferm'nt. 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
crushed him. By a servant he was shown
into the room mt the Dubois home
IN when stood the portrait win deep
emotion Bliss viewed the picture. Ills
soul was In his eyes, his entire pose
that of person struggling with emo
lions OF no ordinary nature, and So Eva
Dubois construed the presentment as
she entered the room.