Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-05

@Vu08ys enu AoufsuSyos SUI snSss~s
on Tuesdays and Fridays. I noticed
that whenever any lady cams for the
first time be would always exhibit to
Der his wife's portrait, now placed on
. handsome easel and drsped with vel
vet, in the most favorable light.
One day the lame man called, and
this time be was accompanied by a
young woman, handsome, and Of doe
presence, but poorly dressed. He did
not stay more than Ave minutes, bat
the young woman remained behind and
did. not leave till evening. Then the
strcet-doo was opened for her by
the painter himself, and he bade her
goodbye with a touch Of something
rather warmer, / thought, than
friendly greeting.
The young wife mean time was sell
dom seen. Now and then her pale face
appeared st the window, and on fine
days she would 90 out languidly for
short walk. could see she was being
driven melancholy mad by her hus-
bands treatment, for every day the
fine, handsome girl came, and after
stay ing three or four hours the painter
would escort her to the door, laughing
and Joking as II there had been no
misery under the roof.
The poor young woman soon grew
worse, and lost sight of her entirely.
Then there appeared on the scene
stout middle-aged woman, evidently an
attendant from lunatic asylum, and 1t
was four or five weeks before this wo-
man took her departure. A few days
after she had gone Simpson came in, and
babe him set to work at once to piece
together the most fascinating set Of
fragments | had yet laid before him.
81 at once determined" he began,
when he looked in about week later
to give me the result of his investiga-
ton, :. that must make my approach
by getting into conversation with the
pretty young wife. Pale and i'll as she
looks, she has been out every day.
discovered that the Broad Walk in Re-
gents Park was her favorite haunt, and
by the time the poor little woman got
so far she was always ready to sit
down. l soon managed to open con-
yersation with her; for there is some
thing 10 my appearance which always
inspires women, and especially young
ones, with confidence and after day
or two let her see that | knew some
thing of the goings and comings and
goings on generally in the
house over the way.
"She started violently, and flush Of
color came over her pale face, but she
said nothing. / could see, however,
hat the shot had told, and that she was
burning to find some one she could trust
10 share with her the secret, the weight
IF which was bearing her to the ground.
The next day found her in the same
place, evidently looking for my coming,
md before we parted | had heard the
solution Of the mystery. This is it, as
nearly as l can tell it, in her own
words
"'My husband is an artist, Vincent
Rose by name. We have been married
ust two years, and, until a few months
lgo, we were very poor indeed. For
uDe, however, came to us very sud-
lenly, and now, after having nearly |
tsrved US, is giving US more than we
want. Ny husband has already earned |
i've hundred pounds this year. or
course l am glad that his genius is at
asst recognized, but | wish that the
money was anywhere else rather than
d his pocket, for there is curse upon
IA curse which will, i am sure, de-
troy us all.
GO During the days Of our poverty
annot tell you how happy we were.
iy husband made a little by book il
and now and then sold
,icture for a few pounds. Out of his
srnings we always first put aside the
ent and whatever he might want for
materials, and then set to work to
make the remainder 60 as far as posi-
lie in our housekeeping.
"'Tbere was no money to spare for
models, so / used to sit to my husband /
D all sorts of costumes for his subject
ictures, but though he put his best
york into these-work that would
hame much that is done by men with
amous names-he never sold one or
nansged to get one hung in any public
Exhibition. A dozen or more OF them
till stand piled against the wall. Now,
suppose, they will sell fast enough;
,ut we are no longer poor, and the
money, when it comes, will only in
resse my unhappiness.
"'About six months ago my hus-
and met in the studio of friend OF
lis a man named Bernard link. Though
70 drew very we'll himself, link was
ot an artist by profession. Many men
we're in the habit of sending for him to
evise the composition Of picture, for
70 had q wonderful eye for grouping |
nd effect. Sometimes he would touch
he outline of a face, and he would |
ever fail to leave a strange and subtle,
yet most lifelike, expression-an ex-
,ression which no after-work by an
,ther hand could obliterate. 1t was
that link expected good |
ee for his service, So there was little
nance that my husband would ever call
lin in professionally.
90. TheI efore il was rather surprise
% me to find him one day in the studio
landing before one Of my husbands
historical pictures, and offering various
criticisms and suggestions on the treat
nent OF the subject. He greeted me
With cringing, overacted politeness.
ind when he went away he swept aside,
With a benevolent wave Of the hand,
ny husbands murmured suggestion as
% pay ment for his advice.
90" To you, my dear SIR" be said,
81 shall always be ready to give my
pest counsel, and shall ask no better
eward than to come and have chat
With you sometimes when the light
ails. We must see if We can't get to
he bottom Of that strange story. Some
,eople would call me q mailman, but
zee that you have the true philosophic
aculty for sitting evidence. Perhaps
80 viii give the world surprise some
day."