Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-19

lest you might have FORGOTTEN orr en-
gsgement. Am 50 gla1 70 have
chance Of saving the old pictures.
which, truth to say, my good friend
NJ. Ribsult sadly neglects. ] have
begged him for years to have them at
tended to by some competent artist
but always be puts the of, and the pic
lures are rapidly being destroyed. Oh I.
/ but 1t is pity 80 he cried despairing
~" bat first" with a sudden change
Of tore, "let us introduce ourselves.
sm Philippe Duclos, cure Of this
parish and chaplain 10 NJ. Ribault."
"Apd J., returned Arthur. who hal
foTeseon that this emergency nigh.
arise ard hat 20 mention his real name
IN CorcsIrec might cause It's gates %
be shut in bis face, " | am Arthur Ire
yor, painter by profession, at your SER
vice" By this time they had reached
the door OF the chateau, and psssin.
through it entered large stone-payei
hall, facing the entrance Of which were
Two large grsystone pointed arch
wsys-one lesdipg to the kitchen, the
door of which, a la mode de Bretagne,
stood Hospitality open. disclosing the
cook catering about in her wooden
satots, preparing the midday meal;
the other, opening on winding stair
case, mp which the cure nimbly mount
90, and arriving at the top tanned into
long osk.panelled passage, mperfec,ly
lighted by a large orisl window AZ the
further end. Down each side were the
old portraits. irTegularly hung and
from The mildewed and moidy condition
Of both canvas and frames, evidently
but little valued by tbsir owner.
Are all these ancestors OF ". Ri
bault?" asked Arthur. feeling cJnsiie-
rable curiosity as 70 what The reply
might be.
Well, no, =" replied the cure. hest
tetiug slightly. "Most Of them are
those Of the former owners, from whom
u. Ribault's grandfather acquired the
chateau at the tine OF the Revolution
butt am an amateur OF art myself, and
it is NY opinion that some Of the older
ores are genuine and valuable works Of
our celebrated old portrait painters.
Hence my great anxiety TO have them
preserved"
At this moment Arthur's attention
vas diverted from the prattle Of his
companion by the opening Of one Of toe
docTs giving on 10 the gallery. and a
ccuIle of English fox-terriers bounded
into The room, followed BY the graceful
figure Of & girl. who, or seeing Arthur.
hesi'ated ard was about to retire, when
F the cu1e. advancing quickly, exclaimed
Pardon, Mile. Berthe; permit me
10 present TO you my friend, ". Arthur
Trevor distinguished painter, one Of
that nation Of which you ere SO gres.
On admirer."
Arthur thought he had never seen In
his msny travels so fair q picture a.
tbs whitc-robed, sunny haired maiden.
shown OF sgaiust tie background Of
dark osk pareling. but hastily collect
,rc b., scattered wits be stamme{ed emit
-cue intohIent phrases expressive "
bis great pleasure 81 making the ac-
q1s.n.anse Of Nile. Berthe, who a..
arowlc5ctd his compliments with .
slight bow, and. turning TO tie cIrs.
remarked quietly
Mon peTe, came 10 tell YOU that
lie dtleu-or is waiting"
The cure considered f9r moment.
ard haD, extending his hand cordially
20 Arthur. said:
..Ict ne beg YOU, ". Trevor. to Join
cs e. our midday usai. ". R5aalt
wil. an sure. be delighted 90 see
7cu."
Ircycruen had good reason for
doubling the ruth Of THIS latter state
uert. tu. having fully made up hrs
m.4l 10. 10 il,ss e., opportunity 5.
extending ms Acquaintance With the
Chateau Ce C0ncarnec, his interest ia
which since bis introduction 70 its fair
Young chateiaine had increased ishu-
w.. be iumYed al this welcome offer
and. arm in arm with his new irient,
followed Berthe through a clrta1cl
door into the din.Tg-Ioom, whore u.
Ribault was already seated.
The ola man. while not actually l.5-
courteous, treated TIeyennen during
the 1epast win certain brusqucne.
Of manner, which, however, the latter
s,udiously ignored, keeping up an AM
mated conversation with the cure and
Berthe. whose tastes and pursuits be
VS. delighted to find more nearly re-
sembled those q an English girl than
be would have imagined possible from
the experience be had had Of the con-
ventioual French .euues files be vas
accustomed TO meet On the PLACE az
DinaId.
Tie table having been cleared ard
coffee brought IN. Nile. Ribault with
drew. ard her father az once INTRODUCED
The subject Of the pictures.
What DO you think Of ny portraits,
n. Trevor"
"Scme Of them are undoubtedly
vtry fine" replied Arthur, " bat they
aIeall in o sad slt,e, from want o. care
ard attention
Would you be willing % undt7'sse
tie restoration Of them for me: !
would renunerate you literally i)-
your time and labor. You Will, !
think, consider tba. II give you yolr
board and lodging during the period
YOU are occupied and fifty francs for
each picture the terms are not lnsene-
rouS."
Arthur, though inwardly much
amused at the generous terms" de-
cided Immediately TO accept them, fore
seeing that il the execution Of his task
be would have many opportunities ofeN-
ploriDg the old chateau and also Of pur-
sung his acquaintance with the helress.
To his inquiry when be should com
merce work the old gentleman replied
curly that an apartment would be pre-
pared Immediately for him in the tow
er on the opposite side Of the court
ward, but that the cure would arrange
sll such details, as be had no time to
occupy himself with these things so,
having conferred with his ally, one Of
the farm servants and donkey were
dispatched for his effects, and the same
a l