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

Punctually at eleven, on the following
morning, Sir Gregory Barnett's carriage
again drove up in front of the dingy house
where Mr.. Rivers followed his calling. The
artist was ready for them, and a canvas
eight feet by five, supported on two easels,
stood prepared to receive the outlines OF
Mauds lovely form.
The young lady was attired in a pale blue
silk, fitting her admirably, and fashioned in
the latest Paris style. Elbow sleeves, trim
med with rich lace, displayed her slender
yet rounded arms, which, the artist rejoiced
to see, were without ornament. She wore,
more becoming to her than this simplicity,
so suitable to one of her age. Her abundant
hair, of yellow-blond color, was drawn
from her forehead and arranged high on her
head, thus showing to perfection her white
and shapely neck, and in front of her cOrs-
age, cut square and trimmed with lace, she
had fastened a single rose.
When she laid aside the Grape shawl that
enveloped her, together with her daintily
pumed hat, and stood before the artist
awaiting his directions, Manuel caught his
breath, and could not forbear one long, in
tense gaze of admiration-purelya artistic ap-
probation, of course. The dress was exact
ly what he would have chosen for her style
y,
have omitted a tiOunce or two, had he been
consulted on the subject.
"YOu will stand here, Miss Barnett, if you
please" he said, indicating the raised plat
form where he was wont to perch his sub
iects. Her fathergave her his hand to assist
her in mounting, and then commenced one
Of his lengthy harangues relative to the pO-
sition in which he desired her to stand.
Maud played the harp most beautifully.
He wished he could have brought her harp.
He had particular fancy for seeing her
painted in the attitude Of playing, or per-
haps resting her arm on the instrument, as
if waiting to begin. If Mr.. Rivers agreed
with him, he could send back Immediately
matter to his Judgment" ETC., etc.
'For that matter" said Mr. Rivers, who
received the suggestion with apparent favor,
"you need not trouble yourself to send
home. | havea an instrument here which is
at your service" He stepped behind cur
tain which was hung across one end OF the
room, and in a moment returned with Il
harp, which he lifted on the platform beside
Maud.
ado you play?" she asked, smiling.
"After fashion, sometimes, for recrea-
ton. l have never taken lessons. Now,
Miss Barnett, if you will kindly permit
4
father will play the part of critic. Turn
slightly toward the harp, and restyour right
hand upon it-thus. Now look this way,
towards the left, as if you should see some
one approaching through thatdoOr. There
that is about the correct pose. You will al
low your left arm to hang naturally at your
side. Turn the palm Of the hand a little
iusta very little--OutWard. Raise the chin
slightly-lower your glance-fX it on the
card which is nailed against the door-so.
Now, Sir Gregory, will you stand just here,
and give me your opinion ?"
And while Sir3 Gregory adjusted his
glass, and planting himself in his most APP
proved attitude of critic and gaZed long and
obviously, putting his head now on this
side and now on that, and even making Il
telescope Of his hands in order to limit his
vision strictly to the subject under survey,
Manuel withdrew to the background, fold
ed his arms, and feasted his eyes in silent
but absolute enjoyment, on. the rare picture
before him. Rare, certainly, in his remote
studio, where but few charming subjects
had as yet found their way. Maud bore the
test Of her fathers scrutiny bravely. though
a slight smile occasionally curved the cor
ners of her mouth ut his various maneu-
vers. She seemed relieved, however, when
he finally expressed his approval and she
was at liberty to move.
"I'm glad | suggested that arrangement,
very glad" said Sir, Gregory in Il cOmpla-
cent tone. "I0u'll give me credit for hav
ing some taste now, eh Mr.. Rivers? Moth
ing could be pretter than the hand just
touching the harp-eh: Shows her figure
to such advantage, too, and the dress-you
like the dress, don't you?"
"N0thing could be BETTER" rejoned Man.
uel, cheerfully. He was evidently in the
best of spirits this morning. and willing to
endure Sir Gregory's platitudes with pa
thence and even satisfaction. His charcoals
were now produced and in a surprisingly
short time he had sketched his outlines.
Sir Gregory intently following the move
ments of his hand and occasionally throwing
in such observations as, "Queer looking
marks, those! nobody would take them to
be meant for fingers, eh? or, "What a Gu
rious shape. Can that possibly be correct I?
Is the proportion right?" Whicn the artist