Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-06-12
A Studio Story!
THE London World.

THE London World
sMy dear friend" murmered Lady
Roslna Smythe, 'you are unhappy.
Unhappy?-l'm the most miserable
dog alive, at the present moment.
AT the present moment! echoed
Lady Rosina, though YOU are here!
yes, though l am here. You see
1 have to 60 away, l can't stop here
and this is the only place where for a
moment l forget the worries that besel
me-
worries! o, | am sorry. But why
not confde in me? [ might be able to
help you.
Impossible, dear, generous creature
that you are, You could not help me-
'Do not judge so hastily-you do
not yet know my powers. But. at all
events, remember that | am your
friend
Gould l forget it?' he answered, in
a murmur that was attuned to her gen
tie and suggestive tones.
But you do forget it when you re-
fuse to tell me your troubles. You
say you don't like to leave my draw
ing-room; yet yours is one of the most
beautiful studios IN London. Don't
you like to return there, and look at
the lovely pictures and live In their
midst?'
NO. answered Mr.. Smart, vigor-
ously; I'D much rather not live in
their midst. They ought to be some
where else; not in my studio. AS
things are, l shall have to give up
that studio soon.'
%, it's money, is it?
what else should it be-?
Your plcrures don't sell"
sAs I am alone with a friend | will
not mince matters. They don't
yet people say they are clever,
said Lady Roslna musingly.
But they are satisfied with saying
it. They don't buy them
'And they are we'll hung at the ex-
hibitions?'
%, yes!' said Mr.. Smart, with some
thing like sign.
and you have painted most of the
beauties of the day
sTrue, answered Mr.. Smart, de-
spondingly. But even that does not
make sale. thought my 'Maidens
Bathing at Early Dawn must have
sold; every face in it is that of well
known beauty. But no; it's in my
studio STILL
There was a pause. Lady Rosina
was buried in thought. Mr.. Smart
was moving restlessly about the room {;
it was his inability to sit still which
had first made Lady Rosina observe
hat he was not in his usual gay
humor. He was handsome fellow,
somewhat spoiled by an affected air
and exaggerated manner, and with the
look rather of one who knows how to
make it. Yet Mr.. Smart really had a
very pretty talent for catchinga a like
ness, as Lady Rosina knew, for she
was dabler in the fine arts.
After few moments Lady Rosina
spoke. "Will you paint me?" she said
You know l will, responded Mr..
Smart, with admirable fervor.
Not once she went on, but half a
dozen times. ] have never yet had
justice done me. You can do it If you
will; in return, | will make your for.
tune
Mr.. Smart paused in his restless
movements and looked earnestly at
her. Hitherto his eyes had dwelt on
her face with certain rapture of ad-
miratlon which he had we'll learned
how to express; now there was in
them a cold, searching look.
els this business?" he said, in very
low voice.
1T is business she answered in the
same suddued, intense tones. She per-
fectly knew the meaning of what she
said; for Lady Rosina, having had for
her birthrlght blue hood and poverty,
had married Mr.. Smythe, who was
something in the city, and who had
impaired to her the spirit of commerce
which Is SO grand and powerful in the
present day.
when will you come to sit?' asked
Mr.. Smart.
Tomorrow afternoon answered
Lady Rosina. And how soon will the
sketch be recognizable?'
4 must have three sitting before any
one sees it,
'Very well. After the third sitting
you must have big at home at the
studio. Everybody must be there
you understand? Get your sister to
he hostless.'
4 obey said Mr.. Smart But, tell