Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-07-07
HER JUDGMENT
sy AGNES c. sRoeAN.



could he Justify himself In her eyes.
how keep from her bitter disappoint.
ment and hunillationy He had been
80 huayantly confident Of his genius
drawing with him. had been as second
nature since childhood.
So Duncan gave up his position IN
the small town bank. and taking his
mothers eagerly proiered store went
away to study Even he could not
know the ploddInc sacrifice thar
amount Of money represented. but she
had been so glad TO help him to the &C
comnlishment of his goal. And as
months passed into years and Duncan's
conscientious effort foretold only fail
ure, he had not the heart TO share with
the confident mother his discourage
ment. And so, at first hopefully. and
then desperately-Dunean played his
part Of pretense. II was . story nf
promise that his letters contained. and
the checks which he inclosed as he
was able We're supposed to come
from the sale Of sketches, instead Of
from unlmp0rtant employment be bad
been obliged 10 accept. And now she
wrote that she was coming 10 visit
him. coming to the great city TO view
Tor herself. the paintings which were
winning him fame. And as Duncan
dropped the letter. he found himself
staring NJ an advertisement In the
newspaper which be had been holding
beneath II. and the one word which
caught his troubled eye was that Of
paintings The advertisement stated
that house was offered for sale out
beyond the city limit. and also several
paintings OF marked value Reck-
lessly Duncan decided. He would buy
as many OF these paintings as his
purse would allow. They were offered.
IL was said. at sacrifice, because Of
need. The transaction was easily
made: unknown paintings appeared
TO have little market value. And when
Duncan's mother stood in the bare
room which her son designated his
studio. she was silent In admiration
and pride before the pictures. While
Duncan. carriedNsway by hope anew Of
an opening In the world OF art, Won
dered II one OF these conceptions Of
fered for public display mirhs not
be for him that opening wedge 10 a
success later honestly earned. And
so his painted purchase found its way
through pure worth to the walls Of
the city art gallery--and across its
canvas cover was painted distinctly
a name-his own.
When the study obtained honorable
mention" II seemed that his future
promise might become reality, so Dun
can again gave up regular employ
ment and bent to fresh endenyor. As
his need grew. he disposed one by one
OF the smaller sketches which always
found the sale his own had lacked.
And one day as Duncan worked fever
ishly. the old realization came to him.
his pictures would never find that sale
or recognition.
The VIII TO do, but not the gift was
his. Dishonesty had awaited him
nothing. When he lifted his despond-
ent face a girl stood before him.
Il knocked" said the girl. "And
then when saw your studio door
open, walked in
Duncan gazed listlessly; she was a
| pretty girl. he thought.
ii came" said the girl. 'for an ex-
| PLANTATION. You who bought my pic
lures from my dead mothers home
how dared you display them as your
owng"
Your pictures :" Duncan murmured
dazediy.
Miner" the girl replied. Her voice
broke TREMENDOUSLY.
when II was necessary 70 sell my
home, II was necessary to sell all II
| possessed. The pictures were yours by
| right Of purchase only. To erase my
name from the canvas and substitute
your own--well, there's a name for
that crime. and punishment"
Before the fire of her indignation
Duncan was dumb, Then came halt
ingly, another step across the wooden
floor. Duncan's old mother greeted the
girl with natural friendliness.
Some one TO see my boys paint
ings?" she asked. ''Let me show them
TO you"
Her voice held the eagerness Of a
child's. my sons success is a Joy
that cannot be taken from me. Seems
as II I'd lived. and worked for Just
this hour. Even Duncan did not hope
to have a picture exhibited. But l.
knew"
Over the silvery head of his mother
the mans miserable eyes met those
Of the girl. and suddenly the fash of
hers softened TO mlstfHlness.
~ am so glad for you" she said tc
the mother, that your dream came
true"
II was as she passed out through the
door that Duncan reached the girls
side.
/ ssIr'S all RIGHT sha told him rhaxr.