Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-01

l Ou are ~ ouUJCIl, NS"
uel, when the sitting, or, more correctly
speaking, the standing, was over. 81 hope
l have not wearied you very much"
ooh no." said Maud, gayly. 81 suppose
it would have been little more cOmforta-
BILE to sit, but am not easily tired"
"YOu shall not be kept So long again in
position without relaxation. 1t is only the
first outline that I must be so particular
about When once the painting begins you
shall rest oiten," said Manuel. ST shall
put in my backg ground this afternoon"
asked Sir Gregory. /
"No, 1 would not so far tax your kind
ness. Bat hope you will be able to give
day. ~ . + x,,. Maud ;e WON
are ready, We'll CO. At what hour to-mor-
row shall we come, Mr.. Rivers"
"At tenor would that be too early?"
"No, we can manage it,"
"By the way, Sir Gregory, have you the
miniature with you that you showed me
yesterday ?" asked Manuel, as they were
about to take leave. -,
"Why, yes; always carry it about me-"
replied the baronet. "D0 you want to look
at it ?"
"Would it be asking too great favor to
request you to leave it with me until to-
morrow? should take the greatest possi-
BILE care of it; and it would expedite my
work by enabling me to lay in the first COL
oring of the face"
"Ah! so you've fallen in with my idea of
using it as a model, after ALL" chuckled the
baronet, as he graciously handed over the
precious miniature. And if the comment,
''old fool" or some other, equally disre-
spectful, inwardly shaped itself in ManuePs
mind in response to the remark, it did not
impair the courtesy with which he received
and acknowledged the favor.
"He'sa very sensible fellow-foran artist"
said Sir Gregory to Maud as they drove
away. "Not too conceited to take advice;
and like him the better for it. But it will
be slow work for. me, sitting there two
blessed hours every day-eh, Maud" ?"
"Why yes, papa, l am afraid so. don't
see why farley could not 60 with me some
times"
"Jarley! Oh, don't know; we might
ask your aunt Fanny, don't you think 2"
mo, papa, should not care to do that.
Maud, promptly. farley was an elderly
parsonage of unimpeachable character, who
had been the young ladys during her
childhood, and now filled the position of her
femme de chan16re. She was not regarded as
a servant, but rather as a sort Of humble
companion, and it seemed that there could
be no improperly in her acting as chaperon
on occasions like the one under discussion.
Maud was apt, at any rate, to settle the
question as she felt inclined: and perhaps
she felt that it would be rather relief to
both Mr.. Rivers and herself to dispense
with her fathers fussy criticism and i'll
judged Interruptions, which, to say, the
least, were not likely to expedite the artists
work.
Left to himself, Manuel's first proceeding
was to seat himself on one of his uncOmfort-
able chairs and regard the miniature long
and earnestly.
1t was certainly picture worth scrutiny,
not only for its intrinsic beauty as q work
of art, but for its fidelity as likeness. The
latter attribute being, perhaps the one that
gave it most value in the artists eyes.
"Whata consummate fool lam, " he sighed
at length, as he arose and began pacing up
and down. really believe l have fallen in
Imust make the most of the next few weeks,
and after that l suppose, pll come to my
senses again. OF course, | am aware that
might Just as we'll sigh for one of the stars as
hope to win the hand of Sir Gregory Bar
nett's daughter. ..Pshaw! AS if she would
even think kOf me! ....A poor artist struggling
to earn my bread !.....And yet"
He stopped, again contemplated, the pic
ture, pressed a fervent kiss or two upon the
senseless porcelain, then closed the velvet
case resolutely, and taking up his brushes
went to work. With feverish energy he
slapped on his paint, finding some relief to
his inward excitement in the rapidity with
which he could accomplish the task of fill
ing in his background, requiring, as it did,
but little thought or care. Such large
canvas, however, could not soon be cover
ed, even in its first stage, and by the time
he had finished all that it was possible
at present for him to do, he had cooled down
somewhat, and was able to turn with equan-
unity to the less congenial labor of putting
the diamonds into the heavy ear-drOpS of
Mrs Julius Reed. Hehad been very thank
ful for the order given him for the portrait
of that estimable lady, and for the prospect
Of the twenty-five guineas it would bring
him: but now all work seemed flat, stale
and Improbable compared with his latest
undertaking, and the twenty-five guincas,
sorely needed as they were, were but mat
ter OF languid interest in his present mood.
He worked steadily until dark, then went
out to get his dinner. He had eaten moth
ing since early morning, and love, even
when one has tumbled into it over head and
ears at first sight, cannot satisfy the require
ments of the less aesthetic portion of our
mortal nature. So he made Il substantial
meal, after which he felt more tranquil and
reasonable, lit cigar and stroled out for
moonlight walk. He had not gone far be-
fore he encountered a familiar face. 1t was
that of a fellOW-artist, Jack Halliday, Il
member of the celebrated Bohemian Club.
"Where are YOU bound for, old man."
asked that worthy, taking his arm.
"Oh! nowhere in particular. Pm just
rambling around"
"Been working hard lately? Seems to me
you've kept yourself pretty close since last
we met"
ayes, have been toilng faithfully. In
dustry, like mine, merits reward" said
Manuel.
"Any new subjects"
cone" replied Manuel, indtierently.
"WhO?"
"a Miss Barnett-Sir Gregory BIS daugh-
ter"
'Barnett-Barnett-a pretty girl with
flaxen hair, just out"'
"Her hair just out, do you mean :''
"NO, herself"
sI am sure | don't know; | am not 4 So
ciety man, as perhaps you are aware, Jack"
"That'SsO; she is young, however, isn't
she 2"
81 should Judge so-about nineteen, or
thereabouts."
"And pretty:"
"Well-yes," said Manuel, rather as if he
were conceding point.
"rhe Miss Barnett | mean is very pretty
indeed; a regular beauty, in fact. If it is
she you're painting, you are in luck. L
wish some pretty girls would come to me;
but only seem to attract old dowagers and
pursy aldermen, with here and there a
moon faced child thrown in. What is old
Rornatt trninr tO ri va Won for thp Dirtllrp ~