Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-03
AUdkenina

TARLOTTA came twice week t,
" pose for her portrait, and Rant
plunged into the work with his Who'll.
soul. Although he was not aware of it
nc lived for the days when Carlotta ap.
p'ared at the studio. and after sine hat
'eft he would go on with the work from
memory. 1t was as though he could
not tear himself away from the can
vas, and during these days he va,
strangely happy.
Judy watched the progress Of thu
work with a strange pain in her heart
She arranged her household affairs NC
that she need never be present when
Carlotta came to pose, and never from,
the day Rand had begun the picture
had Judy evirced any interest in il,
with Carlotta il, had become a game
to keep Rand from ever surprising
again that look in her eyes. In her
heart she knew that she was learning
to care for him and that if she gave
way to her feeling it would sweep her
along regardless. for never before had
she cared that way for any one.
There was something about Rand's
cropping for the light that reused her
tenderness. She wanted TO hplp him
build. and she passiOnately resented
the fact that Rands wife had an.
parently little or no sympathy with
him.
One day after Carlotta had left, Carl
Randolph came in to see how the nor :
trait was coming along. lie stood for
long time before the picture without
speaking, and then he turned to Rand
suddenly.
IT'S going to be a big thing" he
said. "'
Rand stood silent. staring from under
lowering brows at his work, and Carl
went on speaking quickly.
You've seen something In her that
the average person isn't permitted to
look at. DO you realize that:"
Rand star ted. ''Iow do you mean?"
It's in the eyes. Can't you see for
yourself?"
Carlotta's wide, gray eye, stared
straight out from the canvas. In their
depths was an expression Of surprised
awakening. 1t was that look that Rand
had glimpsed on the afternoon he had
first wanted to paint her, but he never
~
Suddenly his heart leaped.
Had Carlotta's eyes ever worn tha,
expression? Was it possible that she
had ever looked at him like that?
Suddenly he realized that three in
terlninable days stretched between TODAY
and the next sitting. Three long days
before he saw her again. What had
she grown to mean to him? What was
the strange feeling of restlessness that
she had aroused in him? Where were
his thoughts drifting and how did she
feel toward him? All these were ques .
tions that he wanted answered, and vet
unless he sought Carlotta out he would
have to wait three days before he could
see her again.
Carl's voice interrupted his thoughts.
do you remember the night told
you that an artist always does bis best
work when he is working for some
woman?"
The two men stood facing each other.
but Rand's expression told nothing. Not
even to Carl would he admit the pos
sibility Of such thing. 1t was too
revolutionary--it implied too much. He
was married - married to Judy. He
owed her his devotion and loyalty, and
yet the wild sweetness Of the thought
Of love In connection with Carlotts
Young was stirring his pulses, making
his blood leap suddenly In his veins,
Carl shrugged his shoulders finally
and turned away. A few moments later
he left, and for the FIRST time it was as
thought u barrier had been raised be :
tween the two friends. Rand felt It.
and it increased his restlessness, Al
that moment he did not know where
to turn. 1t was az though his life had
been shaken to the foundations.