The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-04-06
THE PICTURE
BY JANE GORDON
81 - - - &. - /. . - - y
20 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)

DULcIE told her troubles to the
- cat. There was no one else to
whom she might tell them without
seeming to ask favor. She had fought
bravely in the city and managed to COM
plete her art studies against all the
discouraging prophecies of hometown
friends. But these studies had used
the small legacy left her by her mother.
Dulcie had made fairly good start
on the way to the career that she had |
planned Orders for pictures came, if
not frequently, occasionally. But on |
this particular morning, when snow |
beat against the high windows-for |
Dulcie's corner of the city apartment |
building was very near the roOf-she |
was recovering from that unpleasant |
winter malady. the grip. And she
was discouraged over her losses. The
black cat winked his golden eyes SYM
pathetically in response to her conf
dence, as he nestled in Dulcie's arms.
'If," she bewailed, II might only
arouse the professional interest Of one
of the real artists in this building, an
order or two might come my way. But
how TO meet theml The President Is
not more difficult to approach"
Dulcie was weary Of silent walls,
the sound of her own voice seemed
companionable.
Zone may not present ones self to
successful busy artist, without, line
of introduction. And anyway, l just
will not go begging. SO, putting aside
our hopes and dreams, in present need,
I'll cook the slice Of bacon. poor
Peter" she comforted whimsically,
you do not like bacon. Do you sup
pose if l were to let you out into the
| labyrinth of the high hall you might be
able to spy fat mouse somewhere
The black cat purred and sped down
the apartment hall toward a yentilat-
ing roof window.
Far as the east Is from the west
seemed the lower luxurious studios of
Philip Duncomb, illustrator. And
though the noted Philip had not Dull
cies problems of ways and means the
matter which brought furrow to his
handsome brow was no less taxing.
| Freedors, the author, must have the
Home" picture for his story, and
Philip could not find the face of the
woman who must fit into his interpre-
tation of the authors fancy.
The picture which he, had mentally
built satisfied him in its true home
spirit-the fireside, with the sweet
faced woman waiting before it, cat
| no
fashioned picture that caught at the
heart strings-the home that has been.
Philip closed the door on his last
impossible model. She had more the
appearance Of cabaret dancer than
wife of the hearth. Impatiently he
flung wide q window to let out the
smoke of his cigar. As he opened the
window Peter, who had come by vari-
Gus periTous ways of roof and cornlce,
accepted the opening as an invitation
and stepped purringly inside.
The dark eyes Of the artist widened.
Then he smiled. LAS / live" said
Philip Duncomb, "the very cat for my
picture-crimson tied neck ribbon and
ALL" But Peter, before he might be
|
price. His pathetic mewing could mean
but one thing-that 1t was dinner hour.
Dulcie, passing through the lower
floor hall heard a wild newing, which
to her trained ears could mean only
her pets cry for help. Now who" the
girl asked herself, could have lei
Peter into that apartment and kept
him there?" She rang the studio bell
IMPRESSED by the card above it, pro
; claiming the place to be inhabited BY
the famous Philip Duncomb. A woman
who cared for the artists rooms opened
!, the door. Dulcfe explained her er
rand. "It sounded like my cat" shs
apologized," and he has been absent al
day."
sTd be glad enough to let him GU
q and stop the racket" the woman re
9 turned. "but Mr.. Duncomb locked thu
n cat In to sketch. He does not like nj
I plans disturbed. 1 expect him back IL
r few minutes Maybe you'd like t
4 step In and wait"
v Peters cries for rescue continued
) Dulcie entered the studio. The beau
l. tiful room was golden from its man,
r shaded lights when Philip Duncomb re
q turned. Seated before his fireside tn
l. red glow Of the logs cleaning agalns
q her. brown hair revealed the sweet
e faced woman Of his mental picture 0
8 ssHome." Expectantly, he stood. Dui
r. Gle turned her blue eyes toward him.
# 81 wonder" said Philip, under tn
inspiration of the moment, III yo
would kindly remain as you are!
with a stride he opened the close
door and released Peter. 1t was Du
q Gle. when she understood. who coaxe
: the cat to rest on the velvet cushio
D. at her feet. So, sympathizing In tn
e artists dream, seated in the luxuriou
e warmth of his fireside, great conten
enveIoped her. Her wish had com
= true.
I. 81 believe" she said, when Phil
II Duncomb laid his sketch aside, tina
u. Peter planned this entrance, after M
talk with him this morning"
: "rell me about it." the artist smiling
ly encouraged.
y Dulcie told, her blue eyes wistful
the telling. Nearby, the waiting won
an placed cups for chocolate.
And when the picture of Home
~ was a successful reality, when ther
u was no further need of Dulcie's SER
1t ices as a model 1t so marvelously hal
III pened that the artist wished to bull
u for himself a life picture, with Du
oi Gle the central figure. And as the
H. sit these two before their own FIR
ts potor 10 thara on the yely,