Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1880-09-01

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"Oh, il will be easy, = was the quick
response. "Singularly enough, my-my
daughters own words suggested the
means. MI. Hartly, do you remember
the c0nuersazione SIX weeks ago."
Certainly
"It was there, then, that my daughter
remarked she should like you TO paint
her portrait, il any one did; but she add
ed, "if / am ever to have it taken, il
must be in my sleep, when l do not
know what is going on"
"A singular fancy" smiled the artist.
ut is; but one that for the sake Of
having a likeness Of her, the only being ]
have to love-" went ON the visitor, still
r~estlessly, II would yield at any cost.
Now my daughter has not been well late.
". She is delicatej that makes me nerv.
ois. Perhaps You perceive it? To in.
SURF her rest, an opiate is administered
10 her every day after dinner. We make
1t five now, when she has a long sleep
. sound sleep On the sofa in the drawing
room. There is no fear of her waking
Would you. Mr.. Hartley, consent t
humor her desire, and take her iken es,
her ?
Leonard Hartley paused, con sidering.
lyon see, for a good portrait, 80 mucl
rests on expression" he said.
II am aware of that; therefore l have
come to q good painter" Aud Mr.
Kesteven bowed. "You shall have help.
MI. Hartley, from her dear dead mother
miniature, taken when at her age. The
eyes, the expression, are Mabcl's own
Stay ! Pardon me; / have yet one other
thing to ask. Could You, in four even.
ings-making the hours as long as you
please--take the likeness sufficiently te
finish it from recollection and the minia-
tnre's Md"
The artist answered that he could; and
finally, the terms, handsome ones, never
demurred at by Mr.. Kesteven, being
settled, it wa arranged that Leonard
Hartley should make his first visit next
morning.
"Well, il there was ever a stranger
within than this = he reflected, as easel,
colors and canvas having been sent dur.
ing the day, a little before the appointed
hour he proceeded to Belgrave square.
Reaching his destination he was al
once nshered into the library, where he
found Mr. Kesteven waiting.
"Mr. Hartley" exclaimed the Oldham
pressing his hand warmly, /" Ishall never
forget your Kindness. Al, when you are
married, with children OF your own, you'll
know what a fathers love is; but l trust
it win not be for q daughter 80 delicate,
poor girl, as mine. If you see me moved,
know that that is the cause Now, ifyou
please. We will CO."
Opening the door, Mr.. Kesteven led
the way up the thickly carpeted stairs,
and showed the artist into the drawing.
room. The soft, subdued light burning
there showed the tasteful elegance of the
furniture. But Leonard Hartley eyes
went quickly to the couch. He could
not help starting az he beheld lying on
it in a quiet slumber one Of the loveliest
girls he had ever seen.
Her complexion was of singular fair
ness. while the bloom on her cheek was
~ delicate as n full blown rose. Her
hair, Of a soft gold brown, was braided
back, and apparently confined by a bunch
Of forget-me-nots. She was in evening
dress and lay, the ivory lids with their
long silken lashes closed, with one hand
lightly on her bosom, and the other by
her side. As the father had said, that
sweetface was worthy ofany painters skill
and Leonard Hartley felt that, despite
the singnlarity of the circumstances, here
he would exceed his best.
The easel and other requirements had
already been placed, and Hartley, after
arranging them as he desired with the
aid of n gray-headed butler, who moved
as noiselessly on tip-toe as If his mis-
tress' slumber had been of the highest,
at nce set to work.
In a low chair a few feet behind him
sat Mr.. Kesteven: but rarely did the two
exchange even a whispered word. The
old mans head was resting on the rooi
OF his hand, save when the artist was con-
scious that he had risen, and was looking
over his shoulder.
For an hour, engrossed by his subject,
Leonard Hartley worked vigorously. AL.
ready in outline the lovely features be
gan dimly to look out from the canvas
but as the next hour stole on the silenc,
began to Cypress him.
CHANGING round, he still saw the OLE
man in the same position. The stiffness
became almost unbcarable, made NOR
tortuOus by the monotOnous ticking of
clock somewhere in the room.
At the end of the second hour he coul,
support it no longer, and closed the sit
ting.
you'll come inquired MI
Kcsteven, wistfully.
"Of course" smiled the artist. 81
compact is . compact. This is tn
strangest within for q young lady l eve
heard of. / could succeed SO much bet
ter were your daughter awake"
~ know-I know; but, as / told you
that's impossible. Will you make tn
four evenings suffice, for on the fifth m,
daughter and / leave here 2"
"Oh, yes, / can take the canvas hom
il your footman will call a cab" re
marked the artist. "By the help of tn
miniature | can work upon it at my stu
do Tomorrow, and get it advanced be
fore the evening"
The cab was fetched, aud Leonar,
Hartley, with the portrait, got in.
"Well, I'm glad one sitting is over,
he reflected. 81 never felt anything 9
awfully depressing. Pom my word,
the girl were ugly / would even no,
throw up the whole thing. But she j
80 beautiful-beautiful enough to be fol
given any absurdity. Still, I'm glad t
be in the opeu air again."
He drew Q long breath Of relief; bu
the depression OF that silent sitting va
was not easily to be shaken of.
It kept with him all the evening;
held possession OF him when asleep, i
the shape Of nightmare dreams, fror
which he arose next morning but littl
refreshed.
What an idiot I ami" he thought
"a too sensitive nature is certainly
curse. Well," he laughed, Gin me it
balanced by = not too amiable temper
One ought to ~counteract the Other
Let's look at my work"
Going into the studio, he went to th
portrait he had placed on the easel.
It is lovely-beautifuli What del
cate curvesi" he exclaimed. "Neve
have I had q more charming mode
The very look seems to give inspire
ton"
And seixinG the brush. he ret to wOrl