Connecticut western news., 1877-12-28
VOL. VII.
' Bah stuff What for ?" said l.

saw again the picture in the wood with Cobweb leaning on the branch" Stop a minute. Gan he paint we'll p
 Gloriously."
 "And is terribly hard up9"
 Horribly, poor fellow"
 How's that ?"
 Don't know. He's poor and proud, and the world has dealt very hardly with him. It isn't so smoothe with every one Jack, as it is with us"
 "True, Tom, old fellow, said, ''true. We'll, look here; I'll give hlm a job. Would he come down and stay at my place ?'
 "Oh, yes, if you treat him well but as I tell you, he's poor and proud and quite gentleman"
 We'll, am not" Isaid, testily. "I'll give him enough to eat and good bed to sleep on and he'll have to put up with me-" But," added, skipping my pocket, can pay him like Q gentle man."
 "Get out, you purse-proud old hum- bug !" said my friend. laughing as he clapped me on the shoulder. "But there I am obliged to you. Have him down and I'll thank you. He's gentleman and a man of honor."
 "Oh, I'm afraid he'll steal the spoons, !" I said, laughing.
 Mo-" he said, drily, "no fear of that. But you'll make good picture"
 Stuff p I sad. "Do you think I'm going to be painted2 ?"
 Why, what are you going to do then ?" he said, in an astonished way.
 " Let him paint little Cobweb," said chuskling and rubbing my hands.
 My friend gave long whistle and af- ter few words he left. It did not strike me then, but I re- marked afterwards that he seemed dis posed to draw back from his proposal i; but was now so wrapped up in my plans that I could think of nothing but the picture in the wood, and I went home full of it, meaning it for surprise. Two days later one of the servants an- nounced MT. Grantly on business, and A face to face with handsome, grave look ing man of about thirty. He was rather shabbily dressed, and looked pale and ill, as he bowed to Cobweb and myself, ending by staring at my chlld, as I thought in rather peculiar way. This annoyed me-a stout, choleric, elderly man-for no one has a right to look at my Cobweb but me and spoke rather testify as I said
 " Now, sir, when you please, am at your service"
 "I beg your pardon" he said, in a low musical voice. " Miss Burrows, I presume. One moment, please-dont move."
 Cobweb was sitting in the bay window and to my utter astonishment he quickly drew one of the curtains, and then half closed another, so that the light fell strongly on her hair.
 I could not speak for the passion bub- bling up in my throat, and as I stood gasping, he came and took my arm and led me aside, and then pointing to where Cobweb sat, as astonished as myself, he said {:
 '' That would be admirable, sir. We could not improve that natural pose"
 What the dickens-Are you mad, sir What do you mean ?"
 "I beg your pardon" he said flushing and speaking hastily. II am 50 wrapped up in my art. I thought you understood. MT. Eden said you wished me to paint th1s young lady's portrait. Am mistaken ?"
 "Chut !" I calculated, cooling on the instant. "I beg your pardon. Sit down, sir. You're hungry, of course How stupid of me-Cobweb, my dear order some lunch into the dining room. ,
 He smiled, returned the pressure o1 my hand in frank, honest way that liked, and then looked after my darling in a way that I did not like; for thil was not what I meant, and my jealous, was aroused. expected some snuhy looking old painter, not grave, hand some young fellow. But remembered Tom Elden's words" He is gentle man, and man of honor and casting away my suspicious thoughts, entered into the subject at once. "I'd half forgotten it." said. "she1 make @ good picture, eh? Admirable, sir. That position strucl me at once as I entered" "Iu show you better one than that I INnI7 r Pr1% ness man, what's your tigure-the price eh ?"
 He hesitated, and his hand trembled ) as he said:
 } "Would - fifteen guineas be toe much ?"
 , "Fifteen p said.
 "I should take great pains with it-i would be a long task, " he said eagerly } and there was trouble in the wrinkles O } his forehead. "But if you think it to, : much" "I think it an absurd price, sir" : said testify, for Elden had sand he wa } very poor. "Why, MT. Elden gave fou hundred for bit of scrap canvas-" 7 By a very clever artist, sir" he said 5 with grave smile. "Look here," I said, "Mr.-M1 3 Grantly. You make good picture 0 ] it, and I'll give you fifty guineas."
 He flushed, and looked palned. "Less than half would pay mo well : sir" he said. 7 "Tut, tut stuff, man Elden told m you were poor and hard up. You alway , will be if you are not more of man ( r business" .. t "Sir p he exclaimed, rising and lool