The Press., 1920-05-27
SYMPATHY By R. RAY BAKER
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 O. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate)

AlJnOuRn HIS COIuUludlIoH Ol Y AOhNh' Scotch and plain American names was part of his queerness, that was not what worried the young men ana women of the social set of which he was a member.
 The thing that made them look askance at Alphonse was his ambition. He wanted to do something in the world, and, of course, such an idea was all nonsense, because Alphonse's father could write check in one fig ure and six ciphers if he wanted to.
 Although the idea that he should work grew on Alphonse, he began keeping his own counsel in the mat ter, for whenever he had mentioned job the young men of his acquaintance had always sneered and the young ladies had laughed outright and told him he was good joker.
 One of these girls played big part in Alphonse's visions of the future. Her name was Clara LennoX and her family was quite as well fixed finan- cially as the Smiths. Although he had never preached the subject to her, 1t was pretty we'll understood that some day a matrimonial partnership would ensue from their associations. Their parents encouraged this idea, for 1t was considered good match.
 And yet Clara would not sympathize with Alphonse's ambition.
 If you want to york;" she contend ed, "why don't you get a position as manager in one of your fathers fac ny.io %ho@ fD gratify your whim, pick out some thing soft, and if you fall you won't land so hard"
 This might have been practical ad- vice, but what AlphOnse wanted was to climb the success ladder with his own ability and not an influential fa- ther as his support.
 Now, Alphonse had a secret. He nOurished a conviction that he could paint pictures. For years he had prac- ticed it on the sly, and an old artist with whom '-c had a clandestine ac- Quaintance told him he was natural born painter. All he needs was the proper environment said this author ity, and the urge of necessity and he was bound to make good. In talking of job Alphonse never had dared brOach the subject of art for fear 1t would land him in an asylum for the insane.
 Finally he could stand it no longer He told his parents he needed change of atmosphere His father Of- fered him a trip West, but Alphonse said it was a different kind of atmos- phere he desired.
 "Give me $2OO and three months and don't try to find me. I'll write to you," he said.
 To his friends he offered various ex- cuses, and then took himself to quar- ter of the city where artists and au- thors held sway. He rented a studio, bought what equipment he did not already have and went to work.
 During his first month with art he hired a number of different profess sional models and painted several pie lures which he placed on sale at stores devoted to the products of the easel, but none of them sold. He knew there was something lacking in his pictures, but there was no one to tell him what 1t was. At the beginning of his wrestle with work AlphOnse tried to find his old artist friend, but the latter was abroad, although he was expected home soon.
 At the end of his first month of un- successful effort he went once more in quest of the artist. The little house he had occupied in the colony showed signs of life this time, and a rather diminutive, young girl with curly vel low hair, deep, serious pools of blue eyes and an olive complexion answer ed his knock.
 "Mr. Smith?" she said, raising her eyebrows. "Yes, I've heard of you from father. But father-father died a month ago in Italy,"
 Alphonse expressed his sympathy and started away. She called:
 Perhaps I could help you, if it's something about painting. Father used to say I was his best critic. I'll be frank and tell you Pm out of funds. If you need a model"
 Alphonse liked the suggestion, but he was low on funds himself. He could get more from home, but he had resolved to go 1t alone He ex- plained that he was meeting no sue cess whatever, and that he was in no position to offer the girl much remu- neration, but she said she was willing to risk 1t and agreed to go to his studio the next morning.
 On his way back to his workshop, his mind occupied with thoughts of his new acquaintance, he stopped in a store which had his goods on display, To his surprise none of his pictures were in sight.
 Il sold every one of them and can get rid of more," cried the store keeper, rubbing his hands. You have a thousand dollars coming and I'll hand 1t to you now"
 Filled with elation, Alphonse hur- ried on his way, and in the studio he wrapped up two pictures he had finish ed the day before. With these under an arm he started back to the store At the corner he paused, for he had seen familiar figure enter the es- tablishment. It was Clara Lennox, and Alphonse understood. Slowly he re- traced his steps, entered the studlc and dulnped the two pictures in corner
 "It's fine of Clara !" he said. She's trying to help me, but she doesn't un- derstand. It's like pampering a spoiled child. I'll take no more pictures to that store, and I'll not use a cent of the thousand. I want to make good on merit"
 The next morning the new model | appeared, and then and there AL | phonse started on a career of hard | work that exceeded his most ambi- tfous dreams. The model became the | boss. When he suggested pose she | took matters into her own hands and | improved 1t.
 Don't put all the color on the |