The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-06


L n q chilly corner of his studio,
gazing at the portrait of girl He
wondered If he ever had seen that
flaming love in Mary -Beths eyes,
or If the look was the product of his
own artists imagination and deep
desire
At least it was there now to tor
ture him, reminding him of what
might have been. This much was
his, and would remain his, in spite
of Burton Dunn's fabulous offer for
the portrait
Burton Dunn! Allan spat out
the name. The man was like a
brass band with his glitter and
blare and trumpetry, drowning out
all that was beautiful in Mary
Beth binding her to what life had
mean to her and Allan.
Critically now, forcing the artist
to replace the man, Allan scanned
the picture, searching the flaws in
his work. The smooth texture of
the skin, the chestnut shadows in
auburn hair waving back from a
hair, high forehead, the fainter
shadows, hintiry smile at the
corner of the wide, generous
mouth, all told him he had done
well. 1t was by far his best work
EOR minute longer the man
Il struggled against the artist. The
man wanted to guard lis possession
jealousy, keeping it here with him,
but the artist in him rebelled
knowing that 1t should go as his
contribution to the State Art Elk
hibit.
For Only three days it would be
away from him, and III that time
who knew what influence It might
have upon his future
The next three days found Allan
haunting the exhibit, hungrily
cleaning scraps of praise. Now and
then some of Mary-Beth's friends
would pause before the picture,
glance at Allan's signature-and
whisper.
He knew what they were saying.
They were telling each other how
she had repaid his devotion when
Burton Dunn few into her life,
sweeping her from her mornings.
it was not until the last night,
that Mary Beth came to herself to
visit the exhibit. Allan came upon
her standing before her portrait.
TT really is wonderful, Allan. 1t
should make you famous. I've heard
the incest things said of 1t"
Burton Dunn interrupted her.
Don't flatter him, honey. You
know I want to buy that picture
and I don't care to have to raise
my present bid any.
"If you wanted to do the really
decent thing, you'd give it to Mary
Beth for a wedding present"
A S If sensing trouble, Mary Beth
IA stepped quickly between the
two men.
why, of course Allen is going
TO give it to me. He promised it
to me when I first posed for him.
Remember, Allan?"
Allan remembered. Controlling
his voice with an effort, he forced
his words from between stiff lips.
"Of course the portrait is yours
If you want it,"
There was an instant's flicker of
Mary-Beth's eyes, as If he had
slapped her; then her lids dropped.
Burton's boisterous glee filled the
room. Wen be by for 1t tomorrow
before you change your mind. Look
for us about 4:55."
Allan made his way blindly to
the door.
OF one thing he was certain;
when he took the portrait from the
exhibit IN the morning he would
change the expression of those
eyes. Burton Dunn might trick him
out of possession of the portrait,
but it would be different Mary
Beth that would look down from
the canvas.
ENGROSSED in these thoughts,
II Allan bumped into the hurry
ing figure of Mr.. Strebling. patron
saint of the artists of the state.
He caught Allan in a half en-
brace.
"Gott, benson. You have done a
masterpiece! Those eyes, they have
the glory look!"
AT any other time this phrase
would have lifted Allan to the
heights, for it carried money and
influence behind it, but now he
could only mutter surly, Glad you
liked it,"
Liked it, Liked it. you say? Lis
ten, son, If you do for me a picture
of my Rosie with a look in her eyes
ike that one, pay you a thousand
dollars"
Allan shook his head The
thought of Mr.. Strebling's fat wife
Rosie with that look in her eyes
would have been funny, if it had
not been pathetic.
Look. pay what you say. Money
1t makes no difference. My Rosie
she used TO smile like thai once. Now
you know how it goes :. We got old
-. come home tired /. Rosie
she maybe is tired too We get
cross i. But, could sit before the
fire and see my Rosie smile Gown
at me like that :. then ever, .ing
would be all right s.. Yes? YOU fix
that for me?"
THERE was mist in the old
4 Germans eyes as he spoke. and
Allan could not find 1t In his heart
TO refuse the man whose complex