Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOLR JZ'i. Week !• Jan. 66 SOLD I:amoiis Players Production featuring Pauline Frederick. Controlled by J. D. Walker's World's Films, Lim Adapted from the Film By PATRICK GLYNN. rHEN Donald Bryant won the first prize in the New York School of Art he had every reason to believe that it was only a matter of time before his fortune was made. Not that he cared very much about money, which is usually one of the last thing's that troubles the true artist. Nevertheless, the big money prize would enable him to marry the prettiest girl-student in the studio, Helen Raymond, who had been his inspiration for the past two years. There was another student whom Helen inspired, Robert Wainwrignt, a close friend in everything except the desire to be first in the affections of Helen, The two young men were well aware of their rivalry, and frequently cracked jokes about it. Helen knew her own mind, however, and when Donald came to her with the old request, she accepted him. Robert Wainwrignt took his defeat like a man. " You're the lucky one again," he said, on learning the news. • All the same, 1 congratulate you on 3 our success. You deserve it." Robert Wainwright was hit very hard by his lark of success both at the School of Aii and in his love-affair, bul be mastered himself sufficiently to be present at the wedding ceremony, and to make a little speech on the occasion at his own expense. Severn] weeks later he told Donald thai New York was boring bim, and that he intended going to Paris. to him gined it Donald suspected that recent events had a gi deal to do with Robertdesire to leave New York", but there was no help for it. And so the two friends parted. They did not see each other for another two years. and then under circumstances which neither of them anticipated. * # . * Dolbeare, the art-dealer, came from behind his desk and eyed the pictures brought to him by Donald Bryant with studied contempt. "I am sorry. Air. Bryant.'' he said, patronisingly, "that I can do nothing with your pictures. Here are several you left me some time ago. and they're still unsold.'" Donald did not appear to • be quite so flourishing as he was eighteen months pre\ iously. He was beginning to look anxious and careworn ; success had not come so swiftly as he had imawould. His reputation was still good, but by some strange kink of his nature he could not produce exactly the pictures the public would buy. and Dolbeare brutally told him so. "My patrons want pictures, not studies," continued the old dealer, whose hooked nose and avaricious face gave him the appearance of a bird of prey. "Now. I want something like this"— He pointed to a crude painting of a halfnude woman. Donald saw at a glance that the daub had nothing to recommend it beyond its contemptible appeal to passion, and he made a grimace. " I could do better than that." he retorted. " t leave that sort of thing to half-boiled painters." ■• So mueh the worse for yourself" replitd Dolbeare, eying the other critically. He knew the man he had to deal w itn, and tried another scheme. " Xow look here. Air. Bryant." hewent tubbing his hands ingratiatingly. " 1 know you're one of the best painters in New fork, and you possess ideals which I respect very much. l>ut business is business. If you promise to supply me with the type oi pictures 1 want I'll contract to take oyer all you can give me. I'll also give you a thousand pounds down, and Supplj you with a complete studio r\' your ow n." Donald hesitated. The temptation was strong. He had to live by his work, and keep his wife also. Hitherto his S had prevented bim from doing work that kept other painter ooi half as talented as himself in luxury. Ibhad several pressing debts which the thousand pounds would liquidate, and it would give him a fresh start. Dolbeare said nothing, but eyed the other under his heavy sinister br "I'll sign the contract." -aid Donald at last. He went home looking more downcast than ever. He had saved himself from extreme poverty, but had lost bis self-respect. He made no secret of his sacrifice to Helen, wl, Led him the result of his interview. "I've sold myself body and soul to old Dolbeare," replied Donald ; " here is the contract." Helen read the document with mixed feelings. She understood her husband and condoled with him on his past failures, but. like him, she realised that both mu-t live. " Never mind, dear." she replied, placing her arms affectionately on his shoulders; "it is only for a time the public will recognise you eventually." # » • • The contract worked well. Donald in his new studio turned out pictures with his usual skill, but all of the type that satisfied Dolbeare. The months passed, and the Bryants lived comfortably, and sometimes wondered how their old friend WainNvright was progressing in Paris. They were agreeably surprised one day when Wainwright entered their studio looking prosperous and content. It appeared he had made a great sne with his art in Paris, where no si picture of his had ever been refused. "I painted the pictures the public wanted," Wainwrignt explained. Donald looked startled and guilty. "It's no use following one's own sweet will, and when 1 discovered the public taste. 1 let then have all I could give them. Now I have made a nice little fortune, and can afford the time to paint a masterpiece. I am looking for a suitable model." "Youhave a tine studio here," continued Wainwrignt, gazing around him. ■' You have the right place here for good work.'1 " 1 am working for Dolbeare at present : he has contracted t" take all my paintings." replied Donald, diffidently. ■'Well, lam looking for a real good model." repeated Wainwright, "and I'm prepared to pay any price for one. Do yon think Dolbeare could get one for me : " " Fou might ask him." replied Donald. " He could supply almost anything." he added, ironically. Dolbeare called up that afternoon to take away several pictures that Donald had finished for him. No one being in