Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-01-23
Mr. and Mrs. spalding, the great Josiah,

Mr.. and Mrs Spalding, the great Josiah,
Miss Blagden and Jim. l contrive, with
diplomatic cunning for which l have
not before given myself credit, that
Nelly Spading shall be admitted to q
private viaw. She herself has been all
anxiety to see the picture, and l pretend
that by great favor she shal. see it before
any one else. Mine host of Red Lion
has prepared nice little luncheon, even
to some dry Pommery, which "the great
Josiah AS l have been accustomed to
call him, possibly from the magnitude of
his waistcoats-says lie dotes upon.
make malicious and unkind but per-
fectly just mental suggestion that in
early life the great Josiah was better
acquainted with the merit Of "'alf-and-
aft" than dry champagne. Mine host
has done his best; and now l wait my
guests | feel nervous and excited
why, can hardly tell but confess to
myself that l shall be glad when my lit
tie symposium is over.
Here at last. They troop up stairs
into the large room where my luncheon
is spread. Mr. Josiah is locking very
large to-day. There is an air OF jubilant
triumph about him as he bustles about
Nelly, assisting her in taking off her
wraps and ,ying "nothings" which ara
anything but "soft," as the great man
expresses them. To me, his air is simply
patronizing. Mrs. Spslding is gracious
as usual and Mr. Spalding seems to re.
gnrd the near prospect of lunch with
more evident satisfaction than he does
the prospect Of an artistic treat Mr..
Bladgen suggests we had better step in
to see the picture-luncl has evid 4ntly
is attraction for "the great Josiah.
But l tell him | wait DR.. Brooke, ct
winch announcement he subsidies. Then
sugguested to Miss Nelly that, with
her mothers's permission, she may now
nave the picture all TO herself for mo-
nlentary peep. Mrs. Spalding, who is
deep with MISS Bladgen in the mysteries
OF the manufacture Of rhubarb-jaui,
r, adi'y consents. tr-H
ely follows me into the room where
my picture stands covered with Grim.
son cloth on my easel. 1 close the dooi
and nnwii it Nelly glanees at it for o
moment; then growing deadly pale sinks
half fainting-not into my arms, but into
those OF DIR. James Brooke, who has
most opportunely come upon the scene.
In speechless establishment he gazes at
me, but he too seems as if lie were
5onLg to repeat Nelly's procedure as he
S;ances at the picture. "For heavens
ak !, Regy,' says Jim in hoarse voice,
. cove, that picture up"
Nelly opened her eyes in moment OIL
two, VIII Gil. seemed to me like an age.
lin had employed the interval in fash.
an not unfam liar to lovers, believe.
And when she d d open her eyes, it was
% clap Jim around the neck, and lei
Hurls we're few but decided: "Jim,
| dear / eau never, never marry thai
nlau will do whatever You wish me to.
But oh they have tried me so |"
What is it in my picture that has sc
partnrbed the lovers, aud brought Nelly
So lding t. her senses? Simply the in.
10 ior Of the cd church once again. A
r.y OF sunlight streaming through
cink in the stained window falls on the
sal. pale, fearful face of newly-made
bride. The brides face is Nelly's own
and the pompous bridegroom is Josiah
BlsPdell, the artistic treatment Of whose
white waistcoat and chain has cost me nc
end of pains. Behind bride and bird :.
groom comes the figures of Mr.. and Mrs.
Spalding; and in the dim distance the
vicar IL seen still standing within the al.
tar rails. But the central filure after
the bride herself is the young man,
pale, motionless as o statue, who stands
i'll pew and whose ashy gaze is fixed on
the bride. The face of the man in the
p ia that OF James Brooke. The pic
lure tells its own story to Nelly Spald.
ing. 1t places the possibility Of the fu.
tnre before her eyes us she has never
DIR d TO picture it. to herself. II
reflects in all its naked truth the fate to
which through her indecision she may
commit herself and Jim. And it tells
its story SO well that art conquers diplo-
macy il decision, and aids love in its
triumph over the great Josiah himself.
Footsteps on the stairs. l cover the
picture again. Nelly stands beside DR..
Brooke her cheek is pale, and there
are tears like dewdrops glistening in her
eyes. The iron master looms in the
doorway. He takes in the matter at u
glgucs and frowns darkly at Jim and
me.
As soon as Mr.. and Mrs. Spalding,
who closely follow Josiah, have entered
the room, Nelly to my surprise walks
quickly up to her father and takes, his
hand. Father" said she, with trem.
u!ous yet decisive tone, "you know the
message you brought me from Mr.. Blag.
den this morning? Give him my answer
now. Tell him that 1 am going to marry
Dr. Brooke"
Now, it is my opinion that, had the
discarded Josiah at this moment held
his tongue. lie might have got both Mr..
and Ms. Spalding to speak word for
him with Nelly. But as it was he de-
stroyed his own case at blow.
Mess ige from me ?-and this is my
answer" he said in IN sngry voice.
why, l care nowt-noWt," he repeated
bitterly, "about the matter. l guess it
vas the lass's father and mother that
wanted to marry Josiah Biagden's money
perhaps they wanted some Of it for
themselves" ....t.
The rudeness and vulgarity which
nirked the man came out Enthusiastically
as he said these words and taking his
sisters arm in his and casting look Of
vindictive scorn az the doctor and my
s,lf, he walked out at the door with an
ungainly strut which was meant for dig
nifty; and we saw the great Josiah no
more.
Mrs. Spalding was especially cut up
by the parting fling Of Josiah, as it was
she who had maneuvred the matter thus
far.% Mr.. Spalding, on the other hand,
burst into jovial laugh, and taking his
daughters hand, placed it in that Of
DR.. Brooke.
After all had left the studio but Mr..
Spa!ding, the latter asked nae to tell him
in plain terms how I had brought this
about--for he had no doubt / was at the
bottom Of it. / uncovered the picture,
which Mr.. Spalding = simple, easy
minded gentleman that he was--scrutin-
lied with his double eye.glass remark.
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