The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-04-01
The
Day $ End
BY ALDEN CHAPMAN

Lesbia Travis arrayed herself as il
for a state occasion. Her gowns were
few and not strictly elegant, but she
looked pretty as a picture as she left
her room. pausing 10 bestow a light
but loving kiss upon the engagement
circiet upon her finger, only few days
old. Then its presence seemed to act
as incentive and reminder. She opened
a drawer in the bureau and from n
faded, time-worn velvet jewel case re
moved ring with an old-fashioned
setting surmounted By a brilliant white
diamond.
IL reflected a light rfva1ing the pure
intensity of her own bright eyes. Mem
DRY was sentiment and pervading. In
honor of AlanT'' she whispered devout-
ly. Surely he is worthy, and It IL our
last meeting for long, long time"
The ring was about all in the world
of value that Lesbia possessed. Her
mother had bestowed IL upon her a
few days before she died and Lesbia
had cherished IT sacred memento.
Alan Rawleigh looked ike an artist,
and was one. The delicate refinement
Of his face attracted even those of
coarser mold. Art had been his pas
sion, and the scope and encouragement
of small inland city had become too
narrow for his ability, his ambition
and his genius.
Sadly the day was dying-'before
eventide 1t shall be light 20 Air and
sky were In harmony with a subdued
sentiment. In the west the last rays
of the sun formed a fanlike splendor,
while mellow hyacinthine hue, ex-
quisiteiy diversified. formed a curtain
of loneliness and spread over the
canopy to the east. Lesbia found
Alan on the porch, half-reclining in a
| hammock, his poetic glance fixed on
i the far glowing horizon
The days end % he murmured soft
! ly, as Lesbfa Joined him.
"How beautiful she said ia an
/ awed, yet enraptured tone, and then,
/ her hand resting in his own, they sat
! mutely engrossed under the spell Of a
/ silence that was eloquent. Soul spoke
TO soul but better thus, for the holy
calm of the hour seemed to lift them
into a higher sphere. They watched
the shadows come. the radiant sky coll
ors fade and darken. Then one glow
ing star came out, only one.
81 shall think of you whenever I
gaze at that star" spoke Alan, land
that will be every eventide. Oh, my
precious one! this hour of happiness
is the supreme moment OF our exist
ence."
That star, that one evening, Les
bias presence, the uplifting soulful
ness of all nature nodded their eternal
f1bers inseparably into the warp and
wool of Alan Rawleigh's career. After
letter came to Lesbia, always CHEEKY
and full of optimism. He had found
studio room with a veteran portrait
PALMER. one Giles Larne, and his
friendship and cooperation had
brought new Joy into Alan's life. he
had introduced Alan into advanced ar
fistic circles, had found him some
stock picture work that afforded him a
living, and had encouraged him 10
make an effort for recognition from
the art institute.
And oh Lesbia," wrote Alan, my
very being IL enwrapt In a picture, the
theme OF which lis the end OF that
beautiful day when last we saw one
another and our souls seemed to merge
into new world OF sweetness and
beauty. The Days End'-it shall be
the effort Of my life and the one star
may shine ON us to illumine our paths
q to fame and fortune"
IL was a little after when q lettes
written I'm an unfamiliar hand came d
Lesbia. 1t was signed "Giles Larne,
and 1t told the anxious and alarmed
Lesbia that her fiance had broker
down from worry and overwork and
was in a serious condition. At once
Lesbia arranged to go to the city Ar
aunt resided there; she went TO hel
home and then to Giles Larne, who in
formed her that Alan was in a hospi
tai and, according TO the doctors, In
!. for long siege OF sickness.
J Lesbia stood spellbound. as for III,
J first time Larne took her to the studi,
J and showed upon the easel 1.-THE Day
End" The tears would come as sh,
, recognized how Alan had imbibed ant
, expressed the soulful beauty OF tina
eventful eventide. And there in tn,
far west was the star-their start
: That is where Alan broke down.
. explained the faithful old veteran
He tried all kinds of paint to get thu
! glow and sparkle OF the star anC
J failed. The picture goes TO the ar
exhibition, however"
'.oh, Mr.. Larnel" burst forth Lesbi,
! impetuously, 'T have a thought.
: grand thought" and she spoke word
/ that caused the old artist to quive
with the rarest excitement
When Alan Rawleigh was GONZALES
cent II was Lesbia who announced (,
him that not only had his pictur
taken the first prize but rich connois
. seur had offered fabulous price TO
] it. He was spellbound as he viewe'
, his work In the grand gallery
/ chSrfn1 Soouaod fofrlu a