Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-01-08
THE EVENING STAR.
MRS. BEAUCHAMp,s yENaEANCE.



MRS. BEAUCHAMP'S VENGEANCE.
CHAPTER II.--THB SORROWS OF wERrHER.
Hrs: Beauchamp went up stairs to see Ara
Deue Rackit, who was quarrelling with Briggs
ABOUT Mario, whom that ornament OF the Corn
Exchange thought a mandy -pamby Kind Of
fellow He was delighted at the entrance Of
his Emily nor was AIabeiia less SO, for she
Blu the widow did not enter very warmly into
The dispute and, indeed, seemed to be some
what preoccupied. II she had imagined that
Rackit would have rushed after her, aud gen
uy forced her back into the aelier, abe was
mistaken. If she row imagined that he would
speedily present himself, she was mistaken.
Bede, and the idytlsof the ktng. EPSON ar the
shape of bopnets, these and twenty other sub.
Jects were discussed with more or less feryour,
but no Rackit appeared.
At last the widow rose to take leave. Briggs
expressed bis intention OF having look at the
likeness. She loudly protested there was no
time o-day but he as firmly dec Jared there
was time, and plenty and that he must &c take
Equint at it," a sudden thought seemed TO
sfrlke her. ana she consented eraciously to go
wished TO see how the artist looked.
They tapped at bis door, but receiving no
answer n opened and went in. Rackit was
standing contemplating the portrait, with both
hands thrust amid his long dishevelled locks.
His face Il ushed and his eyes sparkIed as he
saw her; and she also looked a little con fused
fou don II seem to have made much pro
8ress," said Briggs.
"You don't understand portrait painting, my
dear fellow .f. "
Probably not. prefer photography"
"Goth -
Goth if you like, but do. It's done in 81,
instant, ana so cheap
"Ncry cheap" said Rackit erimly.
" But there is no talent required for that
suggested the widow, anxious to propitiste the
artist
$50 much the better" retorted Briggs
'sWhat's the use Of talent %
You cannot be expected to know that"
said Rackit, with a sarcastic smile.
-" On, yes, can though. III ten you what
1t is. Talent is the ape of Nature It does
impsIfectly what Nature does perfectly
SITS something more than that
"fes, know-its q pretext for charging
high.''
At which sally the ornament of the Corn
ers were unresponsive He was little nettied,
and, turning to the easel. said
Nov LOOK at this portrait Devilish clever,
q You are very good" said Raekit, bowling
sareastically."
III must be clever, because it costs SO much.
Very like Titan, and all that-but shall be
quite frank with your
"By all means"
"Then l must say it isn't bit like Emily,-
It's idealsed, as you call it.''
"Y on are complimentary" said Mrs. Beau
champ, W it'll some acidity.
Itisn't question OF compliment, but of
fact. Now, when portrait isn't Ike, what
does it matter how we'll il may be painted y
You understand nothing of art
No: but do OF likenesses and this isn't
like ness
"How can you say so -
" Because l have eyes and can see.''
"WIli you be kind enough to point out any
defects said Rackit, inter posing.
Well, the mouth is teo delicate"
"Too delicater ~ '....
ayes, and the nose is much too small"
" You know nothing. of pictures said the
widow, impatently.
~ know a nose when see it. Then, too, hs
has given you complexion of roses and lilies,
NJ u u m n y-lTl hrnrr
berry"
"ferhaps," said the pisued widow, "oaer
eyes may see differently"
"Then they cont see YOU as YOU ares
lyon are great judge, perceive"
al know 4 GTswE skin when see one
"Of course. On the Corn Exchange you
Nov YOU'RE unreasonable and out Of tenn
per and all because was frank and open
I'm sure Kackit has far too much sense t. ttke
what have said in ill part ....
"Tbat,'' retorted Mrs. Beauchamp, ais very
plainly saying that have no sense
The subject is getting hot-let's drop it
Our appon tment with Broadwood is for two
o'clcck-it only wants ten minutes now"
..When shall have another sitting ~ asked
Racktt in a soft tone, to Mrs Beauchamp.
ITO morrow she replied. "And then we
can cCnsinue-from the point at which you left
CT"
'By. by, Rackit," said the unconscious Briggs
as he walked out, leaving the artist to escort
the widow 10 tina door.
In escorting her. We pressed her hand tender
ly. Was it fancy, or WAS 1t fact, that the gem
lie st of pTessures was returned bF herP Fancy
or tact, Raekit was thrilled by it; and in a few
minutes afterwards happened to look ia,
found him in a state of great excitement. It
required very little to make him open his heart
TO me; saw he was longingFto take me into
coli fidence, and to confess the ruth, was not
at all unwilling to be his confessor.
s1ts clear she 10 es me, he concluded.
alt certainly looks like it.''
"My dear fellow" whether she pressed my
hand or not, the mere fact that she heard my
declaration without anger, and is to give me
more sit.ings, is equivalent to a deciaration.--
" as ever man so happy Look At her-the
portrait doesn't do her justice. Such eyes;
sparkling with wit and melting with tender.
ness. Such lips; pointing with caprice and
smiling with gaiety. And this creature is
Iaine." #- .E
"How you run On ~ said I, trying to calm
ham.
Run on, you stone, You log, you unimpas-
stoned what-you- may -callit! Wouldn't you
run on if such a glimpse OF paradise were Of
Sered to your
-"But you seem to forget that the gates are
guarded Touching Briggs now-i''
Briggs Be; Yes, you're right There's
him. Hideous nightmare!n
alt seems to me that you are in not the
pi asantest of situations. To be the lover OF q
woman engaged to another fool-no, don't
mean that-but it's The Sorrotcs of Wertder over
again, ard very absurd story that was"
81 shsn't end it as Werther did, by blowing
my brains ont. That process is too ridiculous,
and the result SO dirty"
But how will you end ii, thenl''
81 snan't end II at ALL"
"Eh p
euaIi enjoy the romonce OF love, without
mitigating it by the prose OF marriage. have
lopeed for some romance in life. Here it is"
"Csn't see it.''
II can. Look here; to love the affianced
bride Of another, is to feel your heart stirred
without danger. She never can be yours
there's the poignant misery, which becomes q
eharml Life Is irrsdi6ted with passionate 70.
mance-you have your passon-your sorrow,
and no increase to the weekly bills With such
a passion iand with such security,) shall be.
come a great artist. tvW paint the sadness Of
The .rorld ~ He dashed back his long hair as be
said THE, and seemed to call upon the universe
for its applause