, 1883-08-18

your clients. 1t is my portrait, sir,
that hangs in your window; it is /,
sir-I, Maitre van Spach--whO am
held up to ridiculc in that infamous
daub-pilloried for all the world to
see as an imprisoned bankrupt! If
the thing is not at once removed l
shall apply to the police"
At tins threat the picture dealer
merely smiled. 81 must refer you
to the artist, monsieur" he returned
coolly. "The picture belongs to him,
and l can not remove it without his
permission
To Wiertz's house went Maltre
van Spach in a white heat of rage
and indignation. On entering the
fsiudio ha'fouud che psfinter iOanging
in an arm chair, smoking his after
noon cigar.
"Ah, it is you Maitre ?' was his
bland greeting. "TO what fOrtu-
nate circumstance am l indebted for
this visit? Pray take a seat. Do
you smoke? You will find these
cigars excellent"
"Monsieur," interrupted the no.
tary, cutting short these Courtesies
with scant ceremony, Het us come
to the point. There is at this mo-
ment in Melchoir's window pic
ture-a caricature-which makes me
the laughing stock of the town. ]
insist on its being taken out at once
at once, do you understand ?"
"Not quite" replied the other i'm
perturbably. at is true there is n
picture of mine at MechOir's, hut /
really don't see how it makes you
ridiculous"
"You don't see ? But that picture
is my portrait, sir--my portrait p
cried his visitor, rapping his cane
/ upon the floor
"Eour portrait % echoed the other
with look Of surprise.
"Of course it is, as anyone can see
Mt a glance. YOU"
'But-excuse me-" the painter in
terruptcd, "you said yesterday that
it did not resemble you In the least.
See--here is your letter to that ef-
feet"
Van Spach cOlored and bit his lip.
He felt that he was caught
"Such being the case,",, continued
Wicrtz, "and the work being re-
turned ON my hands, / have a per-
feet right to dispose Of II to the best
advantage"
The notary took a turn across the
room 10 recover his compOsure.
laComn. y lia,- -fi,ifl Al lentItll, fareina
a smile, "let US try to arrange this
ridiculous affair amicably. l will
give you the 5000 francs at once, and
take the horrible thing out OF the
window"
"Stay a moment" interrupted his
companion, as he flicked the ashes
from his cigar and carelcssly changed
his position. "YOu must be aware
that the picture in its present shape
is ten timeSmore valuable than d
mere portrait. 1t is now work Of
imagination and invention, and !
may own that / consider it one oI
my most successful canvases. l could
not think Of parting with it for les,
than 1900 francs"
The notary glsped. "Fifteer
thousand francs! You arcJ0Smg."
"Not at all That ismy price you
may take it or leave it."
There was moments pause ; thcr
the visitor turned on his heel.
81 leave it, then! Go to the deuce
with your picture ~ he rctorted, Il,
he left the room, banging the doc
behind him.
He had not gone many yards from
the house, however, when he stopped
short and reflected. So long as tina
il-Omened canvas remained on viev
in Melchior's window he would no
know a moments peace. The stor!
would be sure to get wind, and evel
his friends would join in the laugl
against him. He would hardly dar
to show his face abroad. At any sac
rifice this scandal must be stopped
But-fifteen thousand francs. II
fairly groaned as he reluctantly re
traced his steps toward the house.
"MOnsieur Wiertz," he began, i
a conciliatory tone, 81 have reconsid
cd the matter, and-and l agree +
your terms. Iwill take yourpictur
= for the sum you named"
Wiertz threw away his cigar an
rose.
"MOnsieur, you are very gooc
But it happens that l, too, have bee
considering, and a brilliant idea ha
occurred to me-"
The notary shuddered. He dread
( ed Wiertz's "ideas," and he had
= presentment that some fresh disastC
was in store for him.
s "What is 1t ?' he asked nervously
t "As my picture seems to hav
1 made a sensation, think 1 shall at
vertise it to be rafiled for at fiv
I francs a ticket, and, that all the tow
o may have a chance of seeing it,
r shall hire a commissiOnaire to carr
it through the streets for day {
two. Not a bad notion-eh ~
4 Maitre van Spach was speechle'
i with CONSERVATION. "YOu woul
not do that ?" he stammered.
"Why not? l am confident tn
plan would succeed--so confider
that / would not give It up for lei
than $4,000 francs-money down"
/, The unfortunate notary burst int
> n cold nprsnir9tion. and WiDed n