The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-07-24
SATURDAY MORNING, JULY a.. 1869.

other his bedroom. Not pictureswas
| visible in either room, nor was there the
slightest item to indicate the artist about
either room, except plate on the door
with the words, "Henri Seller, portrait
painter" engraved upon it. For two
weeks he had been installed in his studio,
whiting for what evidently was not going
to come-a customer In two weeks
more his rent would be due, aud it was
this fact that he was meditating over
when the door opened and lady, deeply
veiled, timidly entered. Of course Henri
rose instantly, but too astonished at the
unexpected visit of lady to be the first
to speak.
"Will monsieur show me the way to
the studio Of Monsieur Seller?"
"Nladlme is at present in that place" !"
"Then you, l presume, are Monsieur
Seller"
"Madame, / am"
care you good portrait paintcr?"
"1es," quietly rejoined Henri.
"By whose verdict pronounced such,
might inquire?"
"Ahem. My own solely, madame"
"Could | see specimen ofyour paint
ing?"
IL have but one portrait here at pre-
sent, having just arrived. | will show
it to you; but pray be seated"
The lady looked first at the door, then
at Henri, and finally at the proffered
chair, in which, after moments hesi-
tation, she sat. Henri placed foot
stool before her-an action which some
, what amused the lady, and caused her
to laugh audible; Henri, very much
puzzled at her merrilnent, knew not
what to say. The truth was, he had
never done the slightest Office for any
lady but his mother, and her comfort
wns a foot-stool Henri, forgetting the
age and weakn ness. of his mother. and
never having been thrown in contac,
with any other woman, iancicd, ofcourse
that to one and all were the same things
necessary and agreeable. The pause
! that followed his action was most awk
ward, and WAS likely to be long one,
had not the lady risen suddenly, appar-
entity with the intention of going.
Pardon, madame, would show you
the picture"
cat once. then, am in haste"
In another moment Henri had pro
duced from some remote corner of thc
room, his mothers picture, and held it
up to his visitor, who raised her veil.
"ilow beautiful"
ondcrfully beautiful exclaimed
Henri.
81 see monsieur is most enthusiastic
admirer of himself, and not without
cause, for certainly the painting is very
artistic, the resemblance of the portrait
| cannot, of course, judge of. Who is
it?"
"My mother"
"Pardon my rude remark, monsieur
| well understand your admiration
"Worse and worse" thought lIcnri
whose exclamation had been caused by
the more than human beauty of the lady
TO paint her picture would be more
pleasure than Henri had ever thought to
experience in his life.
81 wish you to paint my picture as
carefully as this is done. will come
to-morrowsss and sit as often and long as
necessary. | will pay you any sum you
name to have as fine picture as this
and | wish 1t ut the end Of two months
Will you do it?"
'With all the pleasure in the world
and tomorrow, if agreeable, will name
for the first sitting"
AT what hour will youbc diseA gagged?
inquired the lady, preparing to so,
"At any hour mean after l"-ad-
ded Henri, remembering it would not
do to confess his time all his own to a
stranger.
"Then at %
"At 3"