The Penn's Grove record., 1884-08-02

Il must have three sittings before
any one sees It,"
every well. After the third sitting
you must have a big at home at the
studio. Everybody must be there
you understand? Get your sister to be
hostess"
II obey" said Mr.. Smart. "But,
tell me, what do you mean to dor"
wait and see," she answered;
"only trust me; you know 1 am your
friend"
II believe it," said Mr.. Smart in his
most fervent manner
He went away elated, and in the
next twenty-four hours several tire
some persons, who had recently en-
croached too much upon his time and
patience were requested to wait more
decently for good fortune was at hand;
whether in the shape of an unexpected
legacy, or an heiress ready to be won
and wed, MI. Smart refused to say.
But his high spirits were very reassur-
ing In themselves. And he was in eX.
ceedlngly high spirits, for he believed
in Lady Rosina,
She gave him three sittings, and then
requested him TO fix his afternoon and
get everybody to come.
81 shall come" she SAID, ''and /
shall bring a gentleman with me. Per
haps you may not like him; but mind
you are very civil and introduce HIM
to the best people, if you can manage
it,"
All this mystifed Mr.. Smart a little;
but he saw that he was expected to
ask no questions, and, being a sensible
young man, he said nothing, but did
just what he was told.
On the great afternoon his rooms
were crowded. and that with '''quite
the best people," as Lady Rosina would
have expressed it. Mr.. Smart grew a
little anxious as the time went by and
she did not come herself. But she ap-
peared just at the right moment, when
the crowd was thickest, and the IN
cense-scented air was full Of low~tOned
laughter.
She was followed by a gentleman
whose figure presented the appearance
of a tub on two legs, and whose face
was surprisingly red. He looked a lit
tie scared and uneasy, as he entered
among the throng of people, who
seemed, to his eyes, so completely at
home and on such very intimate terms
with each other. Lady Rosina, how
ever. kept him well in hand. She in
troduced him as Mr.. Jones.
"Have you hidden my portrait
away" she asked. "No? How de-
lightful! Come, MI. Jones, and just
look at it. 1 am so delighted with my
good fortune; it is a favor indeed when
Mr.. Smart will consent to paint a poT-
trait. You know he has painted all
the beauties-and, of course, l don't
pretend to be a beauty, so l am very
proud and flattered."
Mr.. Jones was an acquaintance of
Mr.. Smythe's in the city-an acquaint-
ance of whom Mr.. Smythe thought a
great deal; for whom Mr.. Jones, by
clever speculation, had, with great
rapidity, amassed an mormon for
tune. He was universally regarded
with respect and admiration among his
city friends for this reason. But he
in his turn, fell down and worshipped
before Lady Rosina, because she had
a title, had blue blood in her veins,
and was, in fact, n of the Upper
Ten. She knew this perfectly, and
used her power over him without
mercy.
She showed him the pictures in
which the various well-known beauties
of the day were depicted in all sorts of
characters. She introduced him to
some of these ladies, who were pres
ent, drinking scented tea, and casting
languishing glances at their admirers.
She introduced him to two or three
cheerful young lords, a very old and
crooked marquis, and to a duke, who
amazed him by his affability and his
very abbreviated speech. AT last Lady
Rosino thought Mr.. Jones was getting
rather dizzy with all this strong meat;
so she took him away. But before they
left she kept him a moment before the
big picture of "Maidens Bathing at
Early Dawn"
81 think that is to be bought now,"
she whispered in his ear. 81 heard
Mr.. Smart say his studio was getting
too full"
Mr.. Jones looked at it, and then cast
a covert glance at one or two of the
models-ladies whose names he had
often read in the weekly journals and
the Morning Post. The picture was
very bad, though the likencsses were
clever enough; but then MIR. Jones
knew nothing of art.
fsReaIlyP0 he said. SLOWLY stDo