The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-11-18
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

Already ne had VS.
ualized his son grown up and Civ
ing orders from the swivel chair
in the office. Edward Warren, Jr.,
would, of course, inherit his bust
ness. Edward Warren, Jr., would
of course, be fine business man.
"Have patience" the nurse had
replied to his questions.
Patience! BAIL" and he walked
the floor again.
Oh! At last! A red-faced bundle,
swathed in white, had lain on his
wife's arm.
isn't she darling?" cooed his
wife tenderly.
"S-she?" exploded the new father.
why, yes, dear. What shall we
name her?"
Edward Warren bit his lip and
tried to look very glad, indeed.
"C-call her, oh, call her Pa
tience!"
1t was not until later in her life
that I knew Patience. A girl more
unsuited to her name I have never
met, though withal this never damp
ened my alteration.
Young Womanhood had brought
her many sorrows. She had mag
! ined herself in love with a dashing
young author, but the affections of
the latter had proved tickle and Pa
tience believed her heart to be
severed forever. The sudden and
unexpected death of her father had
fallen close on the heels of her I'M
happy romance. To crown all this,
! the business of which her poor father
had been so proud had to be sold to
pay the mortgage on the new house.
shall never forget how she came
to me. She was all in black.
Bob, what-what shall l do?
Mother sent me to ask your advice"
My heart skipped a beat. But if
only she had come of her own ac-
cord.
81 can paint" she went on, a lit
tie hopefully, though I've never
thought seriously of it."
Look here, Pat"-I always
called her that-"why not cut out
all this blooming worry and think of
me just little? I'm not such a
bad chap, nor so poor either" Here
l made an elegant bow.
"Oh, Bob" Patience cut in, don't
propose again, now. Some day,
perhaps, I'll say yes, but not now"
So Patience became an artist.
And an artist without patience new
er reaches the Shining Light. Yet
Patience came very near it-nearer
than l had ever hoped to be. With
out apparently much effort, she had
accomplished what critics declared
to be a masterpiece. Really, it
was a marvellous piece of work. An
old man with head bowed to the
gorgeous glow of the sunset, its very
simplicity reused admiration.
1t was exhibited in the Great Gal
lery. People made much of Patience.
Everyone rushed to buy the lesser
paintings she had been unable to
sell before. For some time Patience
lived in the clouds.
But silver clouds sometimes have
dark brown Innings. From the Con-
tinent came the great artist-the
leader, the master of all artists.
One day the master artist was
invited to the Great Gallery. Much
pomp and splendor attended his &C
ceptance. Patience gave me the
honor Of escorting her. She was
thrilled at the thought that the
praise of the master would add to
her laurels.
"Flaws," he said to the little
group about him; ''haws-many
flaws. Can be corrected, of course,
but flaws just the same"
And Patience's castles came tum-
bling down.
''Take me home, Bob, please"
But in the taxi she seemed pos
sessed of new thought. Back to
the gallery, Bob, quick!"
We found the gallery in semi
darkness. All the splendor of the
evening had departed with the mas
ter artist. Patience went straight
to her own picture and tore it from
the wall. Before l could realize what
she was doing, the great canvas was
in ribbons.
Then it seemed as though she had
suddenly discovered what she had
done. Her career, her name, her
fame-everything gone! She GOV.
cred her face with her hands and
sobbed quietly, Much as | always
scoffed at tears moisture came to
my own eyes. l took her in my
arms almost fiercely.
"Pat, dear, don't cry-don't,
pleased" l covered her burning face
with kisses. "Pat dear, what mat
ter those pieces of canvas? What
matters fame? What-what matters
anything if we have each other?"
Slowly the sobbing ceased and
slowly those glorious eyes were
raised to mine in the dim light of
the gallery.
Perhaps" her beautiful voice
said, perhaps it was meant that l
should be taught a lesson"-her
eyes dropped suddenly, before /
knew the Great Happiness.
And now that we have grown old.
Patience and |, we Joke about the