The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-27

high-art peacock.hlue apron, em6roid- cred with yellow lilies, went down to meet my sitter. He had been ushered into my sanctum SauctoTum consecratod to my art studies. 1t was a nice room, with north light. There were several good plaster casts from the antique; au- totypes from some of the beat masters hung on the wall There were a couple of easels, an oak chair ready for my sitter, and in a corner stood nay skeleton.
 In welcoming Mr. Cameron my skirt caught the foot of the skeleton, which rattled ominously.
 "What horrible thing, Miss Ward l How can you keep such terrible bag of bones in your room2 It makes my flesh creep, assure you."
 Have we not all a skeleton in the cupboardt" answered, smiling gayly |" keep mine here; it is useful when draw"
 "Would you mind. Miss Ward. taking it away2 You may think mo foolish, but this skeleton makes ms miserable"
 "Oh, of course will ]" and taking r up in my arms, carried it into the mex room.
 "Thank you :; but rather than that you should think me troublesome, I shall give you good reason. A few years ago lost my wife and then two bairnies {" bis voice shook as he said this) Anything that reminds me much of death is pain ful, and as you are going to paint my picture. better aot have miserable OK pression"
 placed MT. Cameron in half-shadow {; it was some time before decided on the attitude. At last settled upon a three quarters, with his hands resting on bis knees.
 When had drawn him in charco al he came to look at it, and gave a grunt not expressive of admiration.
 It is very black, and looks stiff; but you know best. Excuse my bluntness
 It is a mistake to allow sittcr to peep before the picture is nearly finished you canno' tell the transformation it will go through.
 He was astonished at my palette, and the rapid way l laid nay tints. He had never como in contact with painters CT any one who understood art think tho peep he had taken disconnected him, and he did not ask to look again.
 When attacked the nose was pug zled. Ought to copy 1t faithfully, buds and ali was inclined to idealize, SO toned down tho vermilion tints. Alter I had had four sittings the portrait bad made considerable progress, and on tha, fourth day invited him to lunch. He was very confidential told me about his home in the north, of his loneliness since tho loss of his wife and bairnies he had married late in life, and was quite alone now
 Ah, lassie l" he exclaimed, "l am a very solitary man nov, with no one to care really for me but l feel that tho spirits of my lost ones hover constantly around me. Still have my farm labor CTS and tbeir families, and take an interest in their welfare. have built club for the men and a school for their children on my estate"
 While he talked l watched his face, and noticed the extreme benevolence of the expression.
 That day, seeing the piano open, he asked me as great favor to play for him.
 "I shall sing Highland Mary for you"
 He sat behind mo, but as there was a looking glass in front of me could sec his face, and was surprised at tho strong emotion it betrayed: his face grew al- m ,st white, while tears stood In his blue eyes.
 The golden hours on angels wings Flew o'er me and nay dearie; For dear to ne as life and light Was my sweet Highland Mary.
 ".Ah, lassie r he exclaimed, "what a treat to hear you singi You have the voice of an angel"
 sang "Ye Banks and Braes of Bonnie Doon."
 The handerkerchief was in constant requisition heard him sob out loud.
 You have moved mo, lassie, to the core l cannot stand any more 1t brings back too strongly the days of auld lang syne; 90 you must pity the sorrows of a poor old man."
 He left mo. looking greatly agitated and with red eyes, promising to return in couple sf days at tho same hour for a three hours sitting.
 The chills and trouble had over this portrait cannot be described. Some days 1t was fearfully like, then would put touches here and tharo and the Gkeaass would vanish. did net wish to rendar merely the features of the man, but sought to bring oat his inner character.
 never saw SO painstaking lasSie he remarked ono day; "you are so ab sorbed. SO much in earnest, you surely mast succeed"
 "l hops and want to do so, Mir. Cam l eron but you are a diff cult subj set: it Is the expression which find difficult to render. Just now tho portrait Is passing through variety of stages truly appall- ing"
 That afternoon as Mir. Cameron was departing my brother came in. saw him casting supercilio0s look through the eyoglass at ny sitter. "Weil," ack remarked with his cyn- ical smile, Al cannot congratulate you on the beauty of your sitter he looks like cattle-drover. And what nose, by Jovel expect he is foad of the