The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-07-04
VTNU Service

/ 4AS HUIChGE you get II over Will,
the better"
"Just give me a little time. I'll
tell him this week"
Rene's face was expressionless as
he looked at Lynn. eve better get
back to work" Lynn went back to
the models stand
As he painted, Lynn was left with
her devastating thoughts. She re-
membered so clearly Wild's insist
ent voice as he told her: Never lie
to me-"
If only she could get an annul-
ment or something. He might never
have to know. But it would be diff
cult. If she went away from town
he'd need explanations. And now,
with her name becoming well
known, it would be fatal!
"All right" Rene threw down his
brushes and reached feverishly for
cigarette. His eyes were burning
and he was exhausted. He'd been
at this two hours. Without speaking
to Lynn, he went over and threw
himself, face down, on the sofa.
Lynn got up stiffly. The clock
said it was noon. She rushed off
to change back into her suit and
hurry to Nine. Reanoud's. When
she came back to the studio she saw
the crushed orchids in a heap on
the models stand and she hunted
for her purse and gloves. Rene
seemed to be sleeping, so she let
herself out without speaking to him.
When the door had closed Rene
got up slowly, afraid to look at what
he had left on the easel. But he
finally did. He stood there long
time, contemplating the picture.
Then he went to work again. As he
painted, he exulted. 1t was good!
Good! He worked as though fasci-
mated. It was simple picture,
painted without pretensions, direct
| and strong.
1t was a head and shoulders, a
splash of yellow orchids against a
black frock. But the striking thing
about that portrait was that it was
the photograph of woman's soul.
And such troubled soul.
Rene, looking, felt it was almost
indecent to strip anybody so cruelty.
The arresting gold-fecked brown
eyes were wide open, their owners
thoughts were far away. All the
struggle of the world seemed
wrapped up in that bit of dark can
vas.
Rene worked the better part of
the afternoon. When the light be-
gan to fail, he turned the painting
around toward the wall, and threw
| himself on the couch again. It was
thus Marty found him when he came
bounding in demanding highban.
"How's the work? Is the Christ
mas stuff coming well? l got
damned wreath. You artists sure
make tough demands" Marty
turned on the light and went over to
the canvas on the easel.
Don't look at it," Rene's voice
was sharp. at isn't doneI" He
jumped up from the couch.
Are you, too, going Temperament
tai on me?" Marty turned the pic
ture around before Rene could stop
! him. There was dead silence in
the room.
Marty walked over and pulled an
unshaded light off the table and
brought it back to the picture.
Then, he set the lamp back and
turned and looked at Rene. He could
see the excitement burning in
Rene's eyes, they bored into Marty.
''Is it as good as think it is?"
Eyes" Marty showed his hands
in his pockets. cts better. God,
| man. You can paint! It's a cruel
picture"
81 suppose so, but most art is
cruel to human beings. It's truth
full"
What will Lynn say when she
sees it?"
81 don't know"
Marty shook his head: 'fWhen do
you leave for Rome?" he said with
a short laugh. "After seeing that, l
can't keep you here. l know that"
Rene did not answer.
what will Wild say when he sees
that?" Rene shrugged his shoulders.
Hell have to take his chances
with the rest of U.s."
Then Marty mixed stiff drink
for Rene, and he seemed grateful
for it. Rene, with his drink in his
hand, went over and looked at the
picture again.
Marty thought he looked rather
Ill and said so.
you're killing me with work"
Like today" Marty retorted.
You're burning yourself out III
bet you haven't eaten all day"
/ Rene seemed surprised: 81 guess
I haven't"
''Then, now is time to begin. Get
cleaned up and come along with me.
You need recreation, to say nothing
of hunk of steak"
The first question Wild asked
Lynn that night when he met her
was whether she had talked to Rene.
Eyes" Her eyes were Swallowed.
'We'n talk about it later"
At the apartment, Wild turned to
Lynn and put both hands on her
shoulders.
Look at me. Do you want to
marry me?" He shook her gently.
| Eyes"
He drew her into his arms. ''Then
| what is it?"
Come over here, Wild. Sit down
there. I can't talk to you when
you're kissing mel"
She had determined that tonight,
she'd have it settled. No matter
what might be the outcome He
/ leaned over and kissed the fin of