Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-06-30

Melch0lrS window aplcture-d cdficd-
ture-which makes me the laughing
stock of the town. l insist on its
being taken out at once-at once, do
you understands"
"Not quite" replied the otuei, i'm
purturbably. at is true there is
picture of mine at Melchior's but l really
don't see how it makes you ridiculous"
"You don't see? But that picture is
my portrait, sir-my Portrait" cried
his visitor, rapping his cane upon the
floor.
"Your portrait?" echoed the other,
with look of surprise.
"Of course it is, as any one else can
see at glance. YOU"
"But-excuse me" the painter inter
rupted you said yesterday that it did
not resemble you in the least See
here is your letter to that effect"
Van Spach colored and bit his lip.
He felt that he had been caught.
"Such being the case," continued
Wiertz, "and the work being returned
on my hands, have perfect right to
dispose of it to the best advantage"
The notary took turn or two across
the room to recover his composure.
Gone" he said, at length, forcing
smile, "let us try to arrange this ri
diculous affair amicably. l will give
YOU the three thousand francs at once,
and take the horrible thing out of the
window"
"Stay moment" interrupted his
companion, as he hicked the ashes from
his cigar, and carelessly changed his
position. "You must be aware that
the picture in it's present shape is ten
times more valuable than mere por-
trait 1t is now work of imagina-
ton and invention, and l may own
that consider it one of my most sue
cessful canvases. / could not think OF
parting with it for less than fifteen
thousand francs"
The notary gasped.
Fifteen thousand francsl You are
joking"
"Not at all. That is my price; you
may take it or leave it"
There was moments pause; then
the visitor turned on his heel.
II leave it, thenl Goito the deuce with
your pictured" he retorted, as he left
the room, banging the door behint
him.
He had not gone many yards from
the house however, when he stopped
short and reflected. SO long as thai
ill.omened canvas remained on view
in Melchior's window he would no
know moments peace. The stor,
would be sure to get wind, and evel
his friends would join in the laugl
| against him. He would hardly dare t
show his face abroad. At amy sacri
fee this scandal must be stopped
But-fifteen thousand francs! He fail
( lv groaned as he reluctantly retrace
: his steps toward the house.
+! "Monsieur Wiertz," he began, in
Q conciliatory tone, II have considere
: the matter, and-I agree to your term
t l will take the picture for the SUI
you named"
g Wiertz threw away his cigar au
g rose.
S Monsieur, you are very kind. B,
it happens that l, too. have been col
: sidering, and brilliant idea has o.
: Cured to me-"
y The notary shuddered. He dreade
|; Wiertz's 'ideas" and he had present
d ment that some fresh disaster was
h store for him.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
i "As my picture seems to have mac
y q sensation, / think will advertise
le I to be raffled for at five francs ticke
10 anu UIldt dill Uiio oo"h h''J S'o
m chance of seeing it, shall hire con
n missionaire to carry it through Il
lg streets for day or two. Not a bi
le notion-ehY p
at Maitre van Spach was speechle
le with CONSERVATION.
"You-you would not do thatY'
n. stammered
"Why not? l am confident the pls
ur would succeed-so confident that
gs wouldn't give it up for less than thlr'
re thousand francs money down."
le The unfortunate notary burst into
all cold perspiration, and wiped his for
ed head with his handkerchief. To-s
,d himself trotted round Brussels on
porter's back, labelled imprisoned Il
er debtr' 1t was like horrible nigh
mare.
n "Here." he exclaimed, desperatel
c. taking out his pocket-book -"here is
e. check for the amount. For Heaven
sake let me have the picture, and
an will say no more about it.
in Half an hour afterward the detest
he BILE canvas was in his possession; b
n it was not until he had cut it out
AZ eonoo ond burned it to ashes th