A classic and evocative illustration from Dean Cornwell's early career, Options accompanied a short story by Clarence Budington Kelland in the March 24, 1917 edition of The Saturday Evening Post. A comic tale of revenge and redemption, "Options" features the ne'er-do-well, trust-fund kid Ulysses "Useless" Asbury from Detroit, who, with the encouragement of his savvy fiancée, Ruth, attempts to prove himself to his millionaire father, Lucius. Useless engages in a scheme to become the majority stockholder in a railroad company servicing a pulp mill in New Hampshire; when he learns that Lucius is trying to compete with him in this venture, Useless races around the East Coast to buy up shares -- options -- and beat his father to the punch. Ruth has made it clear that she will only marry Useless when he has secured the deal. Cornwell's domestic scene depicts the poignant moment when Ruth reminds the exhausted Useless that success -- and their options for the future -- are not far away: "Ruth was very sweet and encouraging, and thought he looked older and tired and anxious -- though she did not say so. Only encouragement and praise came from her: 'There's just two hundred and thirty-five shares between us now, Useless.' It didn't sound sentimental, but it made Useless' heart bound: for it meant that when those shares were in his hand Ruth would keep her promise to set a day for their wedding. Useless felt he was engaged in what might, and must, be the most profitable business deal ever attempted by man." (C. Kelland, "Options," The Saturday Evening Post, May 24, 1917, p. 37). Compositionally, Cornwell uses the patterned fabric of the sofa and chair as a backdrop for the illuminated lovers. A brilliant interpreter of human emotion, he highlights Useless' concerned countenance and suggests Ruth's support through her head nuzzling on his shoulder. (http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/dean-cornwell-american,-1892-1960-options,-the-68081-c-28a44da950)