Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-06-20
"Of course it is, as any one else can

N''i"N ~ 10, W "'I Wv Si'S N"H
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 efeat."
Van Spach colored and bit his lip.
He felt that he had been caught.
"Such being the case" continued
Wjertz, "and the work being returned
on my hands, | have n perfect right to
dispose of it to the best advantage"
The notary took turn or two across
the room to recover his composure
"Coa e." he said, at length, forcing
a smile, "let us try to arrange this ri
diculOus affair amicably. | will give
you the three thousand francs at once,
and taIte tae horrible thing out of the
window"
"Stay a moment" interrupted his
companion, as he ficked the ashes from
his. cigar, and carelessly changed his
position. "You must he aware that
the picture in its present shape is ten
times more valuable than mere por-
trait. 1t is now Il work of imagina-
tion and invention, and | may own
that consiler 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 francs, You are
joking"
"Not at all. That is my price; you
may take it or leave il"
There was moments pause; then
the visitor turned on his heel.
81 leave it, then. Go to the deuce with
your picture" he retorted, as he left
the room, banging the door behind
him.
He had not gone many yards from
the house however, when he stopped
short and reelected. So long as that
ill.omened canvas remained on view
in Melchior's window he would not
know a moments peace. The story
would be sure to get wind, and even
his friends would join in the laugh
against him. lie would hardly dare to
show his face abroad. At any sacri.
flee this scandal must be stopped.
But-fltcen thousand francs. He fair
ly groaned as he reluctantly retraced
his steps toward the house.
monsieur Wiertz," he began, in a
conciiatory tone. II have considered
the matter, and-I agree to your terms.
| will take the picture for the sum
you named"
Wiertz threw away his cigar aud
rose.
Monsieur, you are very kind. But
it happens that |, too, have been con-
sidering, and brilliant idea has oc-
CURED to me-"
The notary shuddered. lie dreaded
Wiertz's "ideas" and he had PRESENT.
ment that some fresh disaster was in
store for him.
"What is it 2" he asked nervously.
AS my picture seems to have made
sensation, think ! will advertise it
to he rallied for at five francs ticket,
and that all the town may have a
chance Of seeing it, | shall hire com.
missionaire to carry it through the
streets for day or two. Not bad
notion-eh?"
Alaitre van Spach was speechless
with CONSERVATION.
"You-you would not do that?' he
stammerel.
"Why not? am confident the plan
would succeed-so confident that |
wouldn't give it up for less than thirty
thousand francs-money down."
The unfortunate notary burst into a
cold pcrspiration, and wiped his fore
head with his handkerchief. To see
himself .trotted round Brussels on a
porter's back, labelled "lmprisoned for
debt! 1t was like a horrible night
mare.
Here" he exclaimed, desperately,
taking out his pocket-book there is a
check for the amount. For Heavens s
sake let me have the picture, and !
will say no more about it."
Half an hour atterward the detesta
BILE canvas was in his possession; but
it was not until he had cut it out Of
the frame and burned it to ashes that
he felt himself safe from some fresh
manifestation of the painters venge'
ance.
Meantime, Wiertz cashed the check
and after deducting the sum of ten
thousands francs-the price he had
first manded-fOrwarded the rest to
the charitable fund of the town in the
name of Maitre van Spach.
Ouper ShOnS