The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-10-04

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 II was noon. She rushed of
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 q 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 q long
time. contemplating the picture.
Then he went to work again. As he
painted, he exulted. 1t was goodi
Goodl He worked as though fasci-
mated. It was q simple picture,
painted without pretensions, direct
and strong.
It was a head and shoulders, a
splash Of yellow orchids against q
black frock. But the striking thing
about that portrait was that it was
the photograph Of woman's soul.
And such a troubled soul.
Rene, looking, felt it was almost
indecent to strip anybody so cruelty.
The arresting gold-fiecked 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 a highball.
"How's the work? Is the Christ
mas stuff coming well? I got a
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'll" Rene's voice
was sharp. 1T isn't done!" 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.
els it as good as think it ISL"
eyes" Marty showed his hands
In his pockets. cts better. God,
man. You can paintI 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 it2"
81 don't know"
Marty shook his head: when do
you leave for Rome?" he said with
a short laugh. after seeing that, l
can't keep you here. I know that"
Rene did not answer.
"What will Wild say when he sees
that7" Rene shrugged his shoulders.
Hell have TO take bis chances
with the rest of u.s."
Then Marty mixed a 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 todayl" Marty retorted.
You're burning yourself out. I'll
bet you haven't eaten all day"
Rene seemed surprised: II guess
/ 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 heI
was whether she had talked to Rene
Yes" Her eyes we're Swallowed
We'll talk about ii later"
At the apartment, Wild turned tc
Lynn ana put both hands on hel
shoulders.
Look ct me. Do you want e
marry me2" He shook her gently.
YES"
He drew her into his arms. "Ther
what Is it,"
Come over here, Wild. Sit dow
there. can't talk to you wher
you're kissing mel"
She had determined that tonight
she'd have It settled. No matte
what might be the outcome. HI
leaned over and kissed the tip o
her tilted nose.
! RIO BE CONTINUED