The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-14
AN UNFINISHED PICTURE

So Ill bolt. too.
AN UNFINISHED PICTURE
I.
1t was vexatlous chance which kept me
from New York when the Tyrrels arrived
for thereby missed Bob Lyon, who came
home In the same steamer. #m5
A decent Difference to the claims Of kindred
would have worded that sentence otherwise
and, indeed, am fond Of Aunt Tyrrell, while
Clara-but let that go. was but STRIPPING,
look you, graphing Latin syntax, and she
just learning to make eyes and prattle
French and, no doubt, the verb we conju-
gated In those languages described o callow,
temperate yearning quits different to the pc
remptory passion for which you, madam (who
inspire III, have Saxon name
But Bob-or Robin, as we liked to call him.
recognizing, in q rude, unconscious way, the
sturdy honesty and simplicity OF the lad
had laid hold OF some college mates (he was
no general lover with grasp which absence
possibly, and the slow alternative Of time,
but nothing else, would loosen.
Well. was not there to seize the old boys
hand, march him Off to my own snuggery.
and laugh with him over the vernal days
when he daubed my class-books with nymphs
and warriors, and revealed his dream Of be-
coming q great painter. These diversions
the young artist lost, but he did not want for
hospitality during the week he tarried In
Manhattan.
"Of course you come with us, Mr.. Lyon, to
Gramercy Park. don't know how we shall
requite you all you did for us in London
poor, unprotected creatures that we were
and on the voyage, too. You must not think
OF going to hotels. So that Is settled"
Thus did Aunt Tyrrell prescribe the move
ments OF my tractable friend, and though
Clara said not q word, why should her eyes
brighten If she disapproyed the suggestion.
1t is true, Robin meekly protested that he
ought to 20 to his people In the country, but
1t was clear studio had first to be chosen,
and some preparation made for the autumn's
campaign, which he admitted might require
day or two. You are aware, however, that
the selection OF q studio, embracing grave
questions OF light, frontage seciusion and inn
munity from noise, not to speak Of the tradt-
tions and associations which evolve an nsthe-
tic atmosphere, IL a business not lightly dis
patched. The ladies' too, were sincerely anx-
ious to attest their gratitude for the patient
guidance which had laid open the art treas
lance, to show their guest those unrivaled
collections which affluence and enlightened
connoisseurship have accumulated in this is
land.
1t is scarcely possible to know less, In a
worldly sense, Of young gentleman, when
one chance or another had repeatedly thrown
In your society, than the Tyrrels knew Of Mr..
Lyon. His retlcence on this subject, however,
did not offend Miss Tyrrell. A capricious,
fanciful, rather arbitrary young woman was
|
parties, would often tease me with her way
ward behavior, and Was accounted by some
juvenile admirers OF quite a captious and sar-
castle turn. Now an artless, headlong en-
thusast like my friend Robin would make, 1
should suppose a capital butt for female
raillery; yet, strange to say, this variable
damsel bore herself very humidity In his socie-
ty, and, after those Florence experiences,
would let him pour forth his quirks and the
cries wild enough, | dare say for hours to-
gether. Or 1t might be, when pause fell, she
would hazard some queer little notion OF her
own, which Bob was sure to proclaim vastly
suggestive. -
| would not deny that Bob's absorption in
his art and single-hearted devotion to that
mistress Is a very fine thing indeed, and re-
freshing spectacle in these languid times; but
obviously 1t must isolate the artist from the
SympathieS and pleasant commerce OF his
kind and lead him into many gaucheries and
some neglect of the social amenities. Whether
Robin had luckily escaped those untoWard
consequences may appear from some account
of an interview with Miss Tyrrel, which took
place the evening before his departure. Bear
in mind that he was practically taking leave
Of the young lady, as it was most unlikely
she would see him In the morning.
And you mean to bury yourself i'm farm
house the whole SUMNER Miss Clara said
to Mr.. Lyon, having for once been persuaded
to discuss mundane topics. Il give you a
month. You're no Arab, after all You'll
soon weary Of those deserts, and we shall
welcome you back to civilized life. We-that
Is, mamma. wants you to come to Newport
You don't know my country" said honest
Robin; 81 think no man leaves it willingly
You would love It's rugged scenery know
that. There's nothing like it east Of the
Sierra"
body to talk to. OF course there can be NO so
ciety this was put forward interroga
tiveiy-"none that you would care for, II
those wilds?"
"Only my own people" said Robin, gently
'They are fond OF me. Of them
Co." she began, and stopped suddenly
flushing quite rosy with regret and self-re
proach.
my poor picture"-this was a portrai
Mr. Lyon had been commissioned to paint
twill you promise not to neglect 1t? Perhaps
1t might better wait till autumn. Are yol
sure you need no more sittings?" q
sQuite sure" ne said. 1T ought to be I'm
ished ia a week. I'll touch nothing until 1t |
done, Miss Tyrreli, and then forward it In
stantly..
Perhaps the covenant to cede 50 promptly
iady's likeness is not particularly fatterinR
but laundering Bob made matters worse. Z.
only hope Mrs. Tyrrell may like it," he wen
On shall DO my best but portraiture