The daily gazette., 1880-05-15
Bertie's Chef 'Euvre.
BY MINNIE CLYDE.

"Whatever is the matter with Won
this morning, Be-tie?" asked, as NV
friends restless behavior in the studio
we shared together attracted my atten-
tion from the canvas [ was painting.
"If You 60 on in this fashion, P,l swear
you are excited at having lord for a
patron"
"Patron! He is no supporter of
mine" ej lculaLed BERTHE, "He asked
me to paint his wife's portrait; refused.
lie pressed me; accepted"
"Reason in that; none in the first :"
said l. "Lord Weston is rich, of your
own country, and might be a good
friend. Why did you refuse?"
"Because-I hate hiin!"
The words came from Bertie's lips
with harshness which showed how
bitter was his enmty.
"What's the matter with the man?"I
exclaimed.
"Hark," he said, abruptly interrupt
ing. "There goes eleven"
"Then Pm of, remarked; "for that's
the hour Lord and Lady Weston have
appointed for the sitting"
BERTHE suddenly turned toward me.
"Grayling." he said, earnestly, "do
me favor. Remain"
"Willingly, my boy % L laughed, .for
they say his lordship's young wife is
worth looking at. But his lordship him
self may find me de tropf"
"What is Lord Weston to me?" he
said, scornfully' "Tbis 10 our studio,
not his. But bushl They are here"
The door sopened as he spoke, and
our servant ushered in Bertie's august
visitors.
Making my bow, l retreated behind
my easel. But what had come over
Bertiep He stood, looking wondrous-
ly handsome, in his black velvet
artist blouse, but almost as motion
less as death while he seemed to
lean his hand on his easel for support.
The next moment, however, he
moved quickly forward, received his
guests with constraint most unusual
in him, and motioned them to the
places prepared.
AS they seated themselves, 1 took
the opportunity of examining them.
Lord Weston was dignified, aristo-
cratic man of over fifty Lady Wes-
ton scarcely twenty-five, and one of
the loveliest women /, an artist, had
ever looked upon in life or ON canvas.
The sole drawback was the almost
transparent texture of her colorless
features.
Gracefully inclining to BERTHE, she
moved to the settlers chair ; but she
uttered no word, nor once looked at
him.
My presence having been apoligized |
for, under the plea that had to finish |
my picture for the Academy, the sit |
ting commenced. During it l ap-
peared engaged with my own work I;
but, in reality, was really occupied
with BERTHE. What was the matter |
He had taken so little pains with the
pose of his subject that Lord Weston |
had interposed, and, indifferently, |
BERTHE accepted the suggestions. Be-
sides this, from where l stood saw |
his hand was trembling violently, |
while the lines he was making OH his |
canvas would have discredited a two
year old student. Neither did he |
often glance at his subject, and then |
but rapidly and with indefinite pur-
pose.
What was making my friend so
utterly unlike himself?
ton talked for the three. His wife
never opened herl lips. BERTHE scarcely
spoke in more than monosyllables, un-
til rising abruptly, in a low, hard
voice, he said Excuse me, my lord,
Lady Weston is faint. fear the
studio-the smell of paint-has over
powered her."
1t was so. Lady Weston had fallen
back in her chair in a swoon. All
was confusion restoratives were pro-
cured, lending my aid, for BERTHE
stood almost rudely apart.
"There is a mystery here ?' / re-
flected. "Will BERTHE tell it ?'
When Lady Weston had recovered
sufficiently to descend to her carriage,
her husband proposed that, as the faint
smell of the oils made her ladyship iii,
BERTHE should finish the portrait at his
lordship's own house. BERTHE instantly
and firmly refused. He declared he
could moi spare the time but added
that his memory y was so good that the
one sitting Lady Weston had given
plete the portrait.
Was lie mad? / am certain Lor d
Weston thoght 50. l know he did.
NY odIu DSlbic, QuleLly, "ln |
three weeks you shall see this picture.
| make myself answerable that it shall
give satisfaction"
Bowing, he drew back, and cool
lett me To conduct the visitors dow
stairs. When l returned, [ found tn.
old canvass flung aside, and my friend
hard at work on new one, with all
the grace aud boldness of touch which
had NADIA him raunWnp0.
"Berlie," | said, standing by him,
"Wi at is the meaning OF all this? /
refer to your behavior just now ?"
"She hatred patronage p he answered,
SHARPLY.
"Nonsense There is a mystery be-
geen you aid Lady Weston"
"Wkat ~ he exclaimed, finging down
las brush "you have found it ou' /?
Well, listen / don't see why l should
not tell you. Two years ago Lady