Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1921-11-29
The
Day S End
Nv ALDEN CHAPMAN
--,.h, 1919 BY Western Newspaper Union.

Joshja Travis 8rrdye0 nerselI DIS IL
tor a state occasion. Her gowns were
/. tow and not strictly elegant, but she
looked pretty as a picture as she left
her room, pausing to bestow a light
brt loving kiss upon the engagement
circlet upon her finger, only few days
old Then its presence seemed to act
os incentive and reminder. She opened
drawer in the bureau and from a
fa6ed time-worn velvet Jewel case re-
r,ored ring with an old-fashioned
setting surmounted by brilliant white
diamond.
Her eyes were tender and misty as
:. reflected q light rivaling the pure
Intensity of her own bright eyes. Mem
orv was sentiment and pervading. In
honor of Alan!s she whispered deyout-
" "Surely he is worthy, and 1t is our
last meeting for a long, long time"
The ring was about all in the world
nj value that Lesbia possessed. Her
mother had bestowed ii upon her a
Fow DAVIS before she died and Lesbia
had cherished 1t sacred memento.
Alan Rawleigf looked like an artist,
and was one. The delicate refinement
of his face attracted even those of
roarspr mold. Art had been his pas
sion, and the scope and encouragement
of q 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" Air and
skv were in harmony with subdued
sentiment. In the west the last rays
Of the sun formed a fanlike splendor,
while mellow hyacinthine hue, ex.
ouisitely diversified, formed a curtain
of loveliness and spread over the
canopy to the east. Lesbia found
Alan on the porch, half-reclining in q
hammock, his poetic glance fixed on
the far glowing horizon.
1.-THE days end" he murmured soft
ly, as Lesbia joined him.
"How beautiful" she said in an
awed yet enraptured tone, and then.
her hand resting in his own, they sat
mutely engrossed under the spell of q
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 col.
ors fade and darken. Then one glow.
ing star came out, only one.
81 shall think of you whenever J
gaze at that STAR" spoke Alan, land
that will be every eventide. oh, my
ls 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
fibers inseparably into the warp an6
wool of Alan Rawleigh's career. After
he had gone to the city, weekly
letter came to Lesbia, always CHEEKY
and full of optimism. He had fount
studio room with 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.
tistic circles, had found him some
stock picture work that afforded him 6
living, and had encouraged him t.
make an effort for recognition from
the art institute
And oh Lesbia," wrote Alan. "my
very being is enwrapt in a picture. tn,
theme of which is the end of tina.
beautiful day when last we saw ons
another and our souls seemed to merge
into a new world of sweetness anC
beauty. The Days End'--it shall be-
Inc effort of my life and the one staI
may shine on us to illumine our path
to fame and fortune"
II was little after when a letter
written In an unfamiliar hand came t.
LeSbta. 1t was signed "Giles Larne. >
and it told the anxious and alarmed
LeSola that her f8nce had broker
uo"h from worry and overwork ant
was IN q serious condition. At onct
LsSola arranged TO go to the city. A,
aunt resided there; she went to he,
nome and then TO Giles Larne, who in
formed her that Alan was in a hospj
TAI and, according to the doctors /,
LOT long siege of sickness.
AeSoia stood spellbound, as for tn
HfSt time Larne took her to the studi,
an" showed upon the easel 1.-THE Day
Emu The tears would come as sh
recognized how Alan had imbibed am
expressed the soulful beauty of tina
Neh'Iul eVentlde. And there In in.
Iar west was the star-thelr start
Ilat IS where Alan broke down
explained the faithful old veteran
ne 'ried all kinds of paint to get tn,
sIo" and sparkle of the star ant
Ionea' The picture goes to the ar
exhibition, however"
Oh Mr.. Larne" burst forth Ieshi,
IDpetuously, II have thought.
s'ano thought" and she spoke word,
mat caused the old artist to ouiye.
with the rarest excitement.
When Alan Rawleisn> was GONZALES
cent 1t was Lesbia who announced +,
n',n mat not only had his pictur.
l"Neh the 1irst prize hut rich connois
HeuF mad offered fabulous nrica fo
~ ~ lie was spellbound as he We've,
ms work in the grand gallery
ue SHINING star seemed fairly +,
- pierce his vision II VOC +hot -.