The Dolores star., 1920-10-01
HER JUDGMENT
b. AGNES c. esoeAN.

his face grew white aud tense How
could he justify himself IN her ewes
how keep from her bitter dIsappuiut
ment and humiliation? He had heeu
so buOyaItIy confident or 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
mother's eagerly protfered store went
away to study. Even he could not
know the ploddlug sacrifice that
amount Of money represented. but she
had been So glad to help him TO the ac-
romplIshment of his goal. And as
months passed into years and puncan's
conscientious effort forstold only fail
nre. he had not the heart TO share with
the cOut1dsut mother his discourage
ment. And SO nj first hunefulIy. and
then spsrately-DuuCau played his
part OF preteuSe. II was II story of
promise that his letters contained. and
he checks which he iuclOSed as he
vas able We're supposed to come
from the sale Of sketches instead of
from UnimpoTtaut employment he had
been obliged to accept And now she
wrote that she was coming to visit
him. coming 10 the great city TO view
Tor herself. the paIntiugs which were
winning him fame. And as Duncan
dropped the letter. he found himself
staring at an advertisement in the
newspaper which he had been holding
beneath 1t, 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
rs many of these paintings as his
purse would allow. They were offered
II was said, at a sacrifice, because of
need. The transaction was easily
made; unknown paintings appeared
to have little market value. And when
DunCnn'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, carried away by hope anew OF
iered II one of these conceptions Of
tered for public display might not
be for him that opening wedge to Il
success later honestly earned And
so his painted purchase found It's way
through pure worth TO the walls OF
he city art gallery-and across Its
canvas cover was painted distinctly
a name-his own.
When the study obtained honorable
mention" It seemed that his future
promise might become reality, so Dun
can again gave up regular employ
nent and bent to fresh endcavor As
his need grew. he disposed one by one
If the smaller sketches which always
found the sale his own had lacked
And one day as Duncan worked fever
SHY, the old realization came TO him.
his pictures would never find that sale
or recognition.
The Will to do. but not the gift was
his. Dishonesty had avaiIed him
nothing. When he lifted his despond-
ent face a girl stood before him.
Il Knocked" sand the girl. And
then when | saw your studio door
open. | walked in"
Duncan gaZed listessly; she was q
pretty girl, he thought
II came" said the girl "for an ex.
planation. You who bought my pic
lures from my dead mothers home
how dared you display them as your
Dwnf"
"Yuur pictures !" Duncan murmured
iazedly.
Mime" the girl replied. Her voice
broke treuulnusly.
"Whcn 1t was necessary TO 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 name for
that crime, and a punishment"
Before the fire OF her Indignation
Duncan was dumb Then came halt
ngly, another step across the wooden
door. Duncan's old mother greeted the
yirl with natural friendiness.
"Some one TO see my boys paint
ngsT' she asked Let Inc show them
10 you"
Her voice held the eagernesS of
child's. My sons success is Joy
that cannot be taken from me. Seems
as if I'd lived. and worked for just
this hour Even Duncan did not hope
TO have a picture exhibited. But /
knew
Over the silvery head Of his mother
the mans miserable eyes met those
Of the girl, and suddenly the flash Of
hers sOftened to mistfulness.
81 am so glad for you" she said to
the mother, that your dream came
true
It was as she passed out through the
door that Duncan reached the girls
side.
IT'S all right" she told him cheer
fully.
hp, 90 oil