Smyrna times., 1862-02-27
COLLECTORS,
A STRANGE STORY,

Some years ago, celebrated English artist
received commission from Lady +, to oaint
the portrait OF her husband. Il was settled
that he should execute the commission at F.
Hail. IN the country, because his engagements
were too many TO permit his entering upon a
resh work until the London season should be
yer. AS he happened to be on terms of init.
fate acquaintance with his employers, the ar
Fangement was satisfactory to all concerned.
and on the 18th ofSepember, he set oul in good
heart to perform his engagement.
He took the train tor the station nearest to F.
Hall, and folad himself, whea first alone. in n
carriage. His solitude did not however con.
tlpue long. At the fret station out of London.
young lady entered the carriage and took The
corner opposite to him.
She was very delicate looking, with re-.
markable blending of sadaess and sweetness in
her countenanc5, which did not fail to attract
the notice OF man OF observation and sensibi
lty. For some time neither uttered sylabe;
but at length the gentleman made the remarks
usual under such cIrcumstances,io Jon the weather,
and the country, and the ice being broken. thew
entered into conversation.
They spoke of painting. The artist was
much surprised at the Intimate KNOWLEDGE the
young lady seemed to have of himself and his
doings. lie was quite certain that he had nev-
er seen her before. His surprise was by no
means lessened Gs she suddenly inquired
whether he could make from reccolection, the
likeness or at the most twice!
He was hesltatiDg what TO reply, when she
added
" Do you think for example that you could
paint me from reccollecton I"
He replied thai he was not quite sure, but
that perhaps he could.
"Well," she added, look tine again, YOU
may have to take likeness of me-"
He complied with the odd request, and she
asked him rather eagerly.
"Now think you could? Z"
al think So" he replied but cannot say for
certain.
AT this moment the train stopped. The
! young lady rose from her seat, smiled in q
! friendly manner on the painter and bade him
farewell; by adding, as she quilted the car
riage-
ave shall meet again soon."
The train ratified off, and Mr.. II. (he artist
was left to his reflections
The station wus reached in due time, and
Lady F's carriage was there to meet the ex-
pected guest. 1t carried him TO the place of his
destination, one of the stately homes Of Eng
land" after pleasant drive, and deposited him
Ell the hall door, where his hest and hostess
were standing to receive him. A kind greet.
ing passed, and he was shown 10 his room 70,
the dinner hour was close al hand.
Having completed his toilet, aud descended
to the drawing room, Mr.. H., was much sur
prsed, and much pleased to see seated on ore
of IT. e OttOmans, his young companion of the
railway car. She greeted him with q smile
a nd bcw of recognition. She sat by his side a
dinner, spoke to him two or three times, mix.
ed the general conversation, and seemed per
feclly at home.
Mr.. H. had no doubt OF her being an intimate
friend of his hostess. The evening passed
away very pleasantly, The conversation turn
ed good deal upon the fine arts in general
and on painting in showing some Of the sketches
he had brought down with him from Londen
He readily prodr led them, and the young lady
was much interested in them.
At a late hour, the party broke up and retired
to their several apartments.
Next morning early, Mr.. II. was tempted BY
the bright sunshine to leave his room and stroll
out into the park. The drawing room opened
into the garden passing through it, heinquired
ofa servant who was busy arranging the furni
tuTe if the young lady had come down yeti"
"What young lady, SIR" asked the man
with an appearance of surprise.
"No young lady dined here last night, replies
the man looking at him.
The painter said no more; thinking withir
himself that the servant was either very stupii
or bad very bad memory.
He was returning to the house, when hi
host met him, and the usual morning salulatiot
passed between them.
"yOur fair young friend has left you :" oh