Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1921-04-08
THE IRlPOSTOR
By HAZEL SMITH


/ Frank Gordon.
":>nmcthin. Of miA-ur. l Eiu>
say" MAS the reflective reply. 'Sc,
here. Frank. how did II ever come
| about"
Its very simple" explained Cor
don in his usual droll, g""d-na;ure'
way. Poverty is the cause, riches
the motive power"
See here. what nonsense are you
tulking?"
Facts. Robert" insisted Gordon.
"Hcre am l alleged artist, some
fame. no money. And there's you
literary idler. rolling in wealth.
little outing jaunt proposed. l come
in advance to spend Il day or two with
our college friend, Sidney Worth. l
find him out west. Family home.
Servant takes my card In few
minutes Mrs. Worth comes in. Eat.
fashionable and u tuft hunter. How
did do, Mr.. Payne? Heard so much
of me from city friends and her son.
She talked SO fast ] couldn't get in
Il word edgewisc. Then comes papa
next. He. too. overwhelmed me. In
vited to call in the evening. Social
Never knew l was SO important be-
fore. Then II all dawned on me-"
How, may l usk?" projected Payne
suspiciously.
Your coat"
"My coat?"
"Precisely. You remember turning
over misfit to poor struggling ar
list friend. don't you?"
"H'm-thnt's so.'
"One of your cards happened to
be In n side pocket. That was the one
I gave the servant in mistake for my
own"
But when you came to eyplnin?"
II didn't explain" replied Gordon
braZcnly-'haven' since; don't see
how l can now!"
What"
No" coolly announced the artist
introduced and accepted as Mr.
Paync-cOurtcd. fetrd as The rich man
worth knowing. Then l met Irma."
who's Shc:"
Sidney Worth's sister. From the
minute / have had but one ideal: To
paint her picture some day"
Tim" said Payne again thought
fully. "And what do you suggest"
"Why, We are going south day after
tomorrow. With our fitting the cpl
SOde is ended. No need of disa gree
able explanations. The Worths knew
you were coming today. Wen run up
there tonight. lrma is interested IN
art, music and all that, and particu-
larly wishes to know YOU"
'To know Frank Gordon. the artist,
you mean?"
The young millionaire did not leave
Oakton with His friend that day, nor
the next. In fact. from the evening
when he was first introduced to Irma
Worth the idea seemed wildly in
jected into Ills mind that life had n
new attraction and was well worth
the living.
'It must be q grand life, that of
yours" said Trina. 1T seems to me
that the painter, the composer, the
poet live in Il sphere far above the
ordinary mortal. Mr.. Payne gave inc
little book last evening. 1t is called
Idle Thoughts and he says friend
OF his wrote il.
1t was two evenings later. They
stood together watching the rainbow
glintings from the flowing fountain
when some one came rushing UP the
walk
"Why, it's hrotller!' cried Irma.
"You here. Payne" exclaimed Sid.
ney Worth. after he had greeted his
sister affectionatcly. "And Gordon,
too" he ADDED. catching sight Of the
artist on the porch and rushing of
to greet him.
"He called YOU Mr.. Payne" muir.
INJURED Irma. in Il mystified tone.
Payne was wretchedly silent.
You Should paint picture of the
fountain in Tho moonlight. Mr.. Cor.
don"
Il never painted anything
bundered ont Payne in desperation
"W'hnt" she laughed--"AIr. Payne
the artist VIII" won the academy
priZe?'
81 AIN not Mr.. Payne, / am not an
artist" declared Payne in full con
fcssion. Miss Worth, l have some
thing dreadful, to confess"
And then and there Payne told his
story. lie found Irma more aston
islied than offended. She sighed lit
| tie. Then She lifted her eyes to his.
EYES, continued Payne in deSpon
dent tone. Il am poor ideal to con
slider. The only thing / ever did eX
ccpt TO spend money was to write
that volume Of idle Thoughts aut
| nobody ever seemed to understand
! It,"
"You wrote that book?" cried Irma
her eyes radiant with delight. II un
derstand It," and then she droppet