Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-08-25
the PORTRAIT OF the DEAD,

grizzled, artist, tapping J., youmge
brother Of the brush on>the 5sho,llda,
"come and look at this portrait. As
is in your line, I should like your opin
ion."
"Isn't it in my line, too, Gray?
asked youthful aspirant to Burling tol
fame.
"Yours, my dear Colt? Yours,
thought, was always below the line.
laughed the elder, "and fear, there
will always remain. Come, Hartley !"
Linking his arm into that of the other
he drew him towards the wall.
Leonard Hartley, tall, well-looking
gentlemanly man, the possessor of
much-envied superb red-brown beard
though only thirty, had already made
tolerable renown as a portrait painter
Hating before the ikeness-that of
dark, handsome lady of forty-he hat
been brought to criticise, he regarded il
for some moments in silence.
"Well?" queried Gray.
We'll, should say it's good por.
trait, Enthusiastically resembling the orig.
inal, be she whom she may; but don't
likeit :
EXACTLY. It wants firmness of touch
the hesh-tints need more transpar-
ency.''
''It is not that. To me it seems one
OF F.'s best; but there is something
about it that makes me shudder. as if It
were uncanny."
"That's curious, remarked Gray.
Every. No picture ever had such an
effect on me before. It's fancy I suppose
Who is the lady?'
"Who was she, rather
Is she, then, no longer iving?"
"Not six months ago F. painted this
picture from dead model.
"Good heavens - And Leonard Hart
ley's cheek absolutely turned pale as he
retreated from the portrait. "That,
then, accounts for my feeling
"Why, what a sensitive fellow you
are!' laughed his companion. "F. got
two hundred for doing it." -
!"Had: they paid me five hundred
wouldn't have painted it p was responded.
"Come away; the likeness seems to cast
gloom over this corner Of the ROOM"
The above conversation had been part
ly overheard by tine-looking old gen
tleman with silvery hair, and his daugh-
ter, lovely, bright-eyed girl, of nine
teen, who leaned on his arm. AS the
artists moved to another part of the
room, the others approached the portrait
the old gentleman regarding it curious
ly, and the girl with awe.
After death :" she murmured. cit
it is unpleasant; isn't it, papa? But
l should never have detected it as did
that gentleman. Who is he 90
Leonard Hartley, my love; the we'll
known portrait painter"
Greatly 7" and the girls violet ewes
followed the artist with admiration.
Papa, it ever have my portrait paint
ed, I should like Mr.. Hartley to do it."
Swell, pet, so he shall. Nothing
would give me greater pleasure, Mabel
l hate those cold brown photographs.
I'll get to speak to him tonight
Ono, no: papa y laughed the girl,
her, delicate complexion; flushing as she
frightened her hold on her companions
arm. 81 was only Testing. You must,
dear, he content with the photographs,
for could never undergo the ordeal OF
sitting for my portrait. If it's ever done,
it must be while I am asleep. By the
way" she added, merrily, "some per-
sons, they say, look best when they are
asleep"
eff they don't open their mouths and
snore, pet. Well, then; I am not to
speak to Hartley?"
"No, please, papa; I could not think
Of such thing. What is that picture
yonder? Let us get closer"
A minute after they were engulfed in
the crowd, becoming part of it.
Six weeks had elapsed since the above
little episode at the conrersazioue, when,
one evening, returning from his club din
der to his studio, Leonard Hartley found
visitor awaiting him. o I = 50
He was elderly, with long silvery hair,
and in appearance and manner the per-
feet gentleman. He was seated in the
midst of the studios pharaphernalia, on
an old oak fifteenth century chair, with
his face leaning on his hands.
So noiselessly had the artist entered,
or so profound were the visitors medl
tations that his arrival was not observed.
Therefore, after few seconds stare of
wonderment, the artist coughed.
The visitor, starting, looked up; then,
rising to his feet, with a courteous, apol-
ogetic bow. said, "Ten thousand par
dons, Mr.. Hartley. II fear I must
have dozed. Calling ten minutes ago.
and your servant saying you would speed
lily return, he was kind enough to permit
me to wait, my business being rather
pressing" f
"He did perfectly right, sir,'' said the
vE1cusem let me, Introduce myself
put in the visitor. '%"Your servant placed
my card there"
leonard Hartley, taking it up, read
"Mr. John Kesteven, Belgrave square,"
" [ suppose, Mr.. Kesteven," remarked
he, bowling slightly in Acknowledgement
of the introduction, "the business that
has favored me with this visit is profess
sional %: - ~. -
"Exactly-petfectly," replied the old
gentleman, passing one hand hesitatingly
over the other. 1"Yes, quite profession
al. In factI want you to do me the favor
of:takng q. portrait at once =! + j5fga:-
"Your own, may I ask o.
mime? Oh, no, My daughters
my only child's. She is very beautiful
WORTHY, I assure you, Of any artists
brush!''
II do not doubt that for, moment.
LILO OAAAy I11AAS5 10 CI4c Clue. L nave al
ready many engagements.
II will pay anything ifyou'n put them
aside for me" broke in the visitor, earn
estly. eyes; the only thing is the time"
His eyes wandered toward dark corner
where the lay figure was dancing ghast-
ly minuet by itself. "Listen to the cir
cumstances, and you shall Judge!
can only say your price shall be mine!''
Rather. curious, afor~ there -seemed~4a
singular lessnessin bis guest, Leonard
Hartley, drawing his chair nearer, pre-
pared to listen.
Mr.. K@teye4 moved his hands to-
gether, opened them. looked at Them on
both sides, as if doubtful of their clean
ness, then began: "The truth is, Mr.,
Hartley, my daughter has rooted aver
sl0nE tos havint Sher portraitst take ah Ior n