The Washington times., 1938-01-05
CHAPTER XXI

November came down with a
rush of bitter weather on Amer
ica's greatest city. Wild wanted
to send his chauffeur for Lynn
each day at noon to Rene's studio
but she would not permit it. Con,
Sequently, he came himself when
ever he, could get away from the
few hours he spent now at his
fathers office. For Wild was re
formed. He was showing interest
in his fathers great business and
that delighted Austin, sr., while ii
terrified his mother. She realized
what it meant.
The second week of the month
Rene had to enter his picture fol
the Guggenheim Foundation Prize
Lynn had not yet seen it, nor hac
Wild. 1t was Marty who called this
to the attention of Rene.
They ought to see it before it's
entered. 1t will be reproduced ir
the papers whether you win or not
And, well, it would be a bit of q
shock, wouldn't it?"
Rene nodded, but he was reluc
|tant for anybody to see that canvas
He had labored over it for hours
studying it, trying to improve it
He was not satisfied, but now il
would have to do.
Have some people in Saturday
night, make it casual and ask the
kids" Marty suggested. Might
just as well get it over"
Il don't want anybody to see it
I painted it for myself" Rene was
sullen about it all.
IF you're going to enter it, yoU
might just as we'll begin to gel
used to the idea" Marty was prac
tical. IF you don't want to make
fuss, just don't say why you're
inviting people. Well hang the
picture and they can take it OF
leave it,"
Rene reluctantly agreed. HI
knew Marty was right.
That is how it happened Lynr
and Wild were bound for Rene's
apartment the following Saturday
evening. They had dined far up
town at big dinner party to which
Wild felt bound to go. Since hi
hostess wanted Wild, she invited
Lynn, for his friends had learned
that fall that if she were not in
cluded in their invitations they
need not expect Wild. And he was
popular. They were late. The din
ner had dragged interminably.
When we're married, I'm
damned if we're going out every
time anybody invites us, Lynn"
Lynn ignored the remark, talked
about Rene's party: He's going
to let us see the picture"
Wild did not speak aloud, but he
hoped fervently in his heart that
Rene would be bound for Italy
soon.
"Rene's not been well Wild
This weather gets him down. He
should be in the South or some
place warm right now" To which
Wild subscribed heartily.
When they climbed the stairs to
the studio they could hear the
party going, full blast. Wild had
his arm about the girl as they
climbed higher and higher.
"One kiss, then in we CO."
Their entrance was greeted with
shouts of welcome. The studio
was brightly lighted, and over on
the far wall hung the picture
Rene came to meet them.
I'VE thought you'd got lost"
Wild, standing there in the
doorway, saw the portrait first.
Lynn! Look" He took her arm
and led her over to it, and they
stood there before it in silence.
Hanging in it's dull, gold frame
it seemed to dominate the room. 1t
was not a large canvas, but there
was a depth and soberness about
it which was arresting and a little
terrifying.
Rene, it's superb" Wild turned
to the painter, his face glowing. In
the excitement of that first
glimpse, he hardly seemed to rea,
lize the girl in the picture was
Lynn.
SHOCKED
Lynn was silent. 1t fascinated,
yet repelled her. Was she really
like that? enc was watching her
Lynn, as she looked, felt as she
might had somebody walked in
and found her nude in her shower
bath. 1t was almost indecent.
What do you call it, Rene?
Wild was asking.
Manhattan Idyl."
"Why that?"
Because idyls have a way oi
ending here in this town"
Wild, startled, turned back tC
the picture. Are you ever really
like that, Lynn" There was 6
note of laughter in his voice
Rene. you're hardly fair"
Rene shook his head.
"Of course, she's not like that,
Wild continued. He could not leave
the painting. II suppose you have
potentialities for suffering" HI
speculated. You're a wise man tC
see it, Rene"
Wild shook his head and walked
away as though he had no desire
to look longer. He was frankly puz
zled. AS for Lynn, her heart wa
beating madly. 1t was not fair o.
Rene!