The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-01-06
CHAPTER "

| NAA-4A A h1Ae
To Kopstag suddenly CINE popular
painter, whose art was sid to be the
result of a series of tricksand illusions
more becoming a professedconiurer and
magician than protested rtist. In his
picture Of Bridal Veil Fals'' rainbow
was introduced athwart the delicate
gauze Of mist and spray tlat enveloped
the dark brown rocks owe which the
water did not so much tumbh as sparkle.
1t was charged but never proved that the
iridescence in his picture which ssemed
to hover in front of the cascade u the
canvas was produced by skillfuiy hid
den arrangements of prisms; and hat the
effect of smoke and steam in his Boil
ing Springs was the effect of magic
lantern behind screen. But his many
admirers pooh-poohed these stoies and
they never gained great credence while
Monsieur Poissonier went placdly on
painting his wonderful pictures.
He opened studio in Klopstlg, and
scores of people tiocked to see his works.
He was not old, but looked 50. His
shoulders were crooked, his feet de-
formed. His nose was so sharp and
curved that he looked like bill hook,
ready to crop his bushes of mastache.
On each side sharp falcon eyes peered
out like mice in their holes.
One day he invited Katrina's father to
do him the honor OF calling. He did so.
The crooked little artist sat painting a
landscape. The golden light of the set
ting sun gilded houses and trees and
mountain-tops; its rays fell softly upon
a group of golden haired children at
play, touching their heads most ra-
dainty. But the great painter did not
think much of it. Looking around the
room he saw more beautiful real land
scape out doors through the window.
''Bahn' he said contemptuously to Mons.
Poissonier, "what are you smudging
away at that for, when Nature does so
much for you over there?" pointing to
the beautiful scene from the window.
Copy that as it is and you'll be the
greatest living painter"
The crooked painters black eyes
snapped, perhaps with anger, perhaps
with triumph.
50 Will Monsieur Flamensbeck be so
kind as to go nearer to the window and
then tell me if he thinks it better, or not
as good?''7
Flamensbecl did So To his astonish-
ment the landscape did not wide- yud
the perspective change according to ma
ture. He went nearer and nearer. He
could almost touch the window-pane. 1t
was canvas. There was no window;
there was no outdoors. 1t was picture.
Flamensbeck was silent q moment.
" The devils in it l believe. With all
my artI could not do that he said.
" Then | ask your daughter in mar
riage, " cried Mons, Poissonier.
Flamens beck again was silent. He
even shuddered. What, wed his peerless
child to this grimace and within of nature
this spoiled and distorted piece of hui
man pottery. The artist noticed his
hesitation.
p" Does the great master refuse to keep
his pledgesP" said the ugly man, sarcas.
tically.
mo" he said slowly, but with evil
dent disgust.
I've worked long and hard for the
prize, anu L leave IL TO your honor if |
should lose it,
The father went home and told his
daughter. She was in tears and con-
sternation. She begged and pleaded.
But her fathers pride in his word and
faith was stronger than his love for his
daughter, and he would not listen to her.
In despair she wrote to Max to come to
her. She had no idea what he could do
to save her, but if worse came to worst
she would fly from her father to his pro-
lection. He came speedily; met her and