Year: 1878

W were DOliI SulllJ VI tl Lilot''A~'
You bartered for the genius which has
deserted Inc. l. for Il baser motive,
contracted for some worldly advantages
which do not satisfy. Let us take the
law into our own hands, and break the
tie which can bring nothing but misery
to us both"


An atelier that was gem, with pol
iShed marble floor, soft lOungIng chairs,
flowers blooming III inches, and only
few works. every one of them from the
hand of Il master, adorning the walls.
4 Grape myrtle flung its fringe OF rosy
drapery across one window; Il red-blrd
sung and Whistled in its gilded cage;
the handsome owner OF these surround
ings was in harmony with tile scene, Ill
which his fellow-worker was the only
incongruous element.


This was Lion Stain, ten years older,
prematurely gray, haggard and thread
bare, who esteemed it a privilege that
he was permitted TO set up his easel III
this dainty retreat, and who pursued
with spasmodic energy the success
which had eluded him all this time.
There was merit in his work, the crit
les all agreed, but not uniform excel
ience.


Found your model yet, Stain?"


Il doubt if | will ever find it.


Nonsense. Keep up heart, old fell
low, and don't be in a hurry. There
isn't weak line i'll the picture SO far.
It's worth little time and patience to
get a perfect finish | can't see myself
what you want more than is to be
found in Mrs. Thone's lovely face"


"SOuj," laconically, and that utter
ance was enough to tell that the Wo-
man who had once held the power to
move his whole being was powerless
now. lie buttoned his shabby coat
and went out upon the busy thorough
fare, searching all the faces he met for
the idea he could not grasp. He felt
over this picture as a gambler might at
the last throw of the die.


A national calamity was his inspira-
ton. A prosperous city had been laid
III ruins, and the whole country was
responding to the cry for help which
went up from the sufferers.


Stain had represented the stricken
city by the PROSTATE form Of woman,
surrounded by compassionate group
who had flown to her relief. But the
central and foremost group of that
ministering sisterhood was vague
outline which he could find no model
worthy TO fill.


There was a comm OtiOn in the street
that day, hurrying people, news OF
dreadful accident passing from lip to
liz. There had been an explosion in
building where gun-cotton was stored;
/ paper-boX manufactory on another
floor, employing many children, had
been wholly demolished, and stopping
1 over one of the crushed, blackened lit
tie figures which had been carried out,
( Stain found III reality the ideal of his
( search. Strangely moved at the sight
/ of that face. eloquent in its expression
Of pity and pain, love and resolute
helpfulness, it was moment before he
recognized-IIonora.


What more?


Only this, that the shock of knowing
herself deserted wife had not embit-
tered her. That trial had given eX-
/ panse To her nature, that by losing her
own grief in the effort TO do good to
/ others, she had grown beautiful with
the grace of womanlv compassion and
I self-forgetfulness, and the lovely soul
4 shining out of her eyes broke upon
stain in the first moment OF their
meeting like new revelation.


There was no faltering i'll his work
after that, and success crowned his
effort. Something more than the as
pirations of his art swept away all his
pitiful wayerings, and when the city
was murmuring its admiration over
his picture, he went to her very humb'
ly, but he need not have feared. She
had given ten years of her life, indeed


but at last she had won the guerdon OF


her earthly hopes.