The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-03-09
"A Masterpiece
BY WINFIELD SADLER
ta. 81. NNsslern N.rspaper unIon.l


and his sister modest sum, and Her
bert had commenced TO study art. He
had taken lessons, then started on on
a sketching trip through the South,
for 1t was then winter. On his return
he rented studio, devoted himself TO
his art, painting steadily for a week.
No one, not even his sister or The
Girl had been admitted. Now he was
giving a house warming and behind
an embroidered silk curtain was the
result Of his efforts.
whats the subject Of your pic
| ture?" asked the one who thought he
might make good on houses. She
knew that real estate had formerly
been Herbert's business.
I'm keeping 1t a secret" he re-
turned grayely, and Mabel, his sister,
chimed in:
Eyes, a really and truly secret.
Why, not even Helen has w0rmed II
out of him." and all the company
present realized that II Helen Smith
could not make him tell, no one could.
for she was The Girl, fact which
everyone, including Helen herself,
knew very well. AS yet Herbert
had not had the courage to tell her so,
so he did not know whether he was
The Man or not.
Tell us. Put an end to the misery"
suggested the young man who had
asked if Herbert could paint, and the
tea and sandwiches being all con-
sumed. Herbert walked slowly across
the floor TO the silk curtain. Pausing
an instant. the young man viewed the
crowd. He saw Helen, Of course, but
was delighted to notice Hammond.
He was art critic on the Courier, and
Herbert knew he needed the good will
of those who might not appreciate his
artistic efforts. TO tell the truth,
though, Hapmond was there because
Mabel was. He would have sacrificed
himself much more than this for her
sake.
Ladies and gentlemen. and hon.
ored critic" remembering Hammond
tust In time.
II am glad to meet You there, I
would say greet you here, mean beat
you where. Really, | mean you are
welcome" and he polished off his face
with a paint rag, hastily caught up.
thereby decorating his face In man.
ner more startling than becoming.
ayes, you are welcome, I'm well
come, Hammond Is welcome, and we're
all welcome" he managed to get out.
Lets welcome. each 0tner," muir
INJURED Hammond, and then stopped.
touched by Mabels appealing eyes.
"Yes, Of course We are all wei.
come,' Herbert floundered, but Mabel
helped him out by suggesting:
"Show us the picture"
ITO be sure, the picture. I'll show
It to you and you'll see then whether
or not I'm an artst-if I'm not IN ora.
tor" and Herbert beamed, fourishing
the paint rag.
a call MY picture "A Quiet Cos
sip,'" Herbert continued, suddenly
drawing the curtain.
There was silence; then Helen
gave sob. 1t was awful.
Women can always be counted upon
to rise to the occasion. The picture
was terrible but Herbert was not, ut
least to Helen. She knew, even IL
he had not yet found out that he was
The Man for her, that he was, and
dlsregarding the rest, she slipped up
to him, and laying her hand on his
arm, said bravely:
II think 1t Is wonderful picture,
Herbert. I'm awfully proud to know
the artist who painted It,"
I'VE all are" Hammond broke In,
feeling the pathos sof the situation,
and especially Mabeps grief, i
Herbert wars not fooled. however.
Dropping the curtain he said broken
ly:
II see how 1t is. I'm ahead of my
time. People haven't learned yet to
see things as they really are" and
his party broke up hurriedly. How
ever, one fingered, and when they were
alone Herbert asked:
Honestly, do you like this picture,
Helen?''
For an instant she tried to say she
! did, but knowing its awfulness, she
broke down, and between her sobs
managed to say:
mo, l can't, but DO like you."
This helped right smart" as Her
bert had heard them say while he was
South, and with Helen's soft young
cheek pressed against his own, and
her hand in his, he promised to try
and forgive them all for not being
truly artistic, and that very day, with
Helen's kisses still warm on his lips
he signed a contract with patent
medicine house to go on the road. Az
he scrawled his name at the bottom, he
/ said sadly:
II had hoped tetput my name to diff
ferent things than this"
Can you paint other pictures, keep
ing to these two characters?'
ITO be sure; / have no other
4 sketches"
4 1ll give you hundred for II and