The Washington times., 1937-12-04

SWeeG II dS1 d1ACC AA - "AAA6
from the branches of the tree
above his head. He looked up and
saw hundreds of clusters OF little
white blossoms hiding among their
waxy green leaves.
What sort of tree is this?" he
asked of the old man seated at the
other end of the bench.
The wrinkled pink and white
face smiled. Guy noticed that the
fragile, blue-veined hands folded
over the ivory knob OF the cane
were trembling little.
"This is a sweet olive, sub,
said the Southerner. And you
must be a stranger here not to
know it. I suppose it is in full
bloom now"
Guy realized with a sudden
shock that the old man was blind.
HOPELESS QUEST
eyes, I am a stranger" he an.
swered. "And I am afraid I have
come to this beautiful spot on a
hopeless quest"
'I am sorry, if that is true.
Won't you tell me about it? I've
lived all my life in this town and
perhaps I can help you"
The voice was so sympathetic
that Guy found himself relating
his fantastic tale from the be-
ginning. He told about his fond
ness for paintings, about his life
in the art centers of Europe where
he began collecting canvaSseS.
He led UP to the day in the
auction room in New York where
he had come across an eXtraordi-
nary painting by Audubon, a
portrait of a young man.
Guy had purchased this canvas,
utterly enthralled by its jeWel-like
colors, its purity of tone and its
mastery execution.
In studying the life of the great
naturalist he learned that the
painter had done number OF
portraits while down on his luck
and the guest of a wealthy planta'
ton owner.
"And I have the strong feeling,
Guy said, that the portrait now
own is one of a pair. mean
feel there is a companion picture
If could only find it.
"There is something about the
way the head is posed-it seems
to be facing another figure, per
haps the sitter's sweetheart, or his
wife. I think Audubon did two
portraits, and I have only one
The more beautiful of the two ]
cannot find"
There was a little silence, then
the old gentleman said, with hu
NOR: "And, as we SouthernerS are
not in the habit Of selling our an
ceStors, sub, you would be no bet
ter off if you did locate the com
panion portrait"
Perhaps you are right" Guy
said. "I have been here several
days, but I haven't had a peep at
an Audubon, although know
there are some in the fine old
houses of this town. Do you think
it is because I am damned Yam
kee' that I cannot gain entrance
to a single home?"
TAKES CHANCE
"That may be-that may be, my
boy. But I am willing to take a
chance. Indeed, sub, would deem
it an honor if you will come to
Cherry Bough Vale, my home, with
me and see our AudubonS. We
have two that I have always
thought very beautiful"
Guy quickly accepted the old
gentleman's kindness and learned
that his name was Nathan Jasper
He gave his own in return-Guy
Endicott.
And before long he was driving
down a narrow, dusty country
road, seated beside his new friend
in an ancient carriage with a taS
Seled canopy and a threadbare col
ored servant holding the reins.
There was an air of decayed ele'
gance about the turnout that made
Guy a little melancholy.
AS they entered a wide avenue,
flanked by crepe myrtleS, and saw
the mansion called Cherry Bough
Vale looming at the head, this feel
ing was increased. The house was
grandeur in decay.
On the broad, bare steps stood
a young woman, waiting. When
Guy saw her he realized his long
trip had not been in vain, after all
for here was living beauty impos
Sible to impriSon on canvas.
She wore an old-faShioneC
square-necked gown with short
puffed sleeves, her dark hair was
parted in the center and she looked
as if she might have stepped out Of
the pages Of romance Of civi
war days.
She greeted Guy with the south
ern hospitality he had heard about
1t was plain to see that her grand
father idoliZed her, and that she
adored him in return.
She helped him into a wheel
chair and started to push it dow
the long central hallway.
Guy saw that her eyes weru
brown, flecked with amber, ant
that her skin was as delicate a
the petals of an apple blossom.
NEWS Is SHOCK
When old Mr.. Jasper informed
her Che called her Sweet Olive"
that he had brought Guy to Sc
their Audubons the girl suddenl,