Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-05-29
IN TWO PARTS. s.-PARr I.
tCoEfINrRp.l
py HENRY JAMES, Js

vested the heroine Of Browning's lines. The
less accidental, too, seemed that element
which Marians face and the face on the
canvas possessed In common. He thought of
the great poets noble lyric and of its exquis-
lite significance, and Of the physiognomy OF
the woman he loved having been chosen -
the fittest exponent Of that significance.
He turned away his head; his eyes nlled
with tears. "If were possessor Of the pict-
ure," he said finally, answering the artists
Last words, ~ should feel tempted to cali It BY
the name Of person Of whom il very much
reminds me-"
"Ahr said Baxter; and then, after pause
ia person in New York;
1t had happened week before that, at her
lovers request, Miss Everett had gone in his
company to photographer, and had been
photographed in dozen different attitudes.
The proofs OF these photographs had been
sent homo for Marian to choose from. She
had made choice Of half dozen--or rather
Lennox had made 1t, and the latter had put
them in his pocket, with the intention Of
stopping at the establishment and giving his
orders He now took out his pocket book
and showed the painter one of the cards.
II find great resemblance" said he, "bc-
tween your Duchess and that young lady.n
The artist looked at the photograph. 'IfI
am not mistaken he said, after pause,
"the young lady is Miss Everett"
Lennox nodded assent
His companion remained silent O few mo-
ments, examining the photograph with con-
siderable interest, but, as Lennox observed.
without comparing it with his picture.
my Duchess very probably bears a certain
resemblance to Miss Everett, but q not ex-
actly intentional one," he said at last, "Tbe
picture was begun before ever saw Miss
Everett. Miss Everett, as you see--or az you
know-has very charming face, and, during
the few weeks in which I saw her, con-
tinued to work upon it. You know how
painter vorks-how artists Of all kinds work:
they claim their property wherever they find
It. What I found to my purpose In Miss
Everetts appearance didn't hesitate to
adopt, especially as had been feeling about
In the dark for type Of countenance which
her face effectually realized. The Duchess
was an Italian, take IT Now, there is q
decidedly southern depth and warmth Of tone
in Miss Everett's complexion, as well as that
breadth and thickness Of feature which Is
common In italian women. You see the re-
semblance is much more a matter Of type
than Of expression. Nevertheless, I'm sorry
IL the copy betrays the original"
81 doubt }" said Lennox, whether 1t would
betray it to any other perception than mine.
have the honor,n he added, after pause,
40 be engaged to Miss Everett. You will,
therefore, excuse me il ask whether you
mean to sell your picture"
"Its already sold-to a lady" rejoined the
artist, with smile; "a maiden lady, who is
q great admirer of Browning"
At this moment Gilbert returned. The
ttx,o f,,anJc pbap a.l tl,a,,
companion withdrew to neighboring stu
dio. After they had talked awhile of what
had happened to each since they parted,
Lennox spoke Of the painter Of the Duchess
and of his remarkable talent, expressing sur
prise that he shouldn't have heard Of him
before, and that Gilbert should never have
spoken of him.
"His name is Baxter-Stephcn Baxter"
said Gilbert, ''and until his return from
Europe, fortnight ago, knew little more
about him than you. He's case of improve
ment. l met him in Paris in 80; at that
time he was doing absolutely nothing. He
has learned what you see in the interval.
On arriving in New York he found it i'm
possible to get studio big enough to hold
him. As, with my little sketches, I need only
occupy one corner of mine, offered him the
use of the other three until he should be able
to bestow himself to his satisfaction. When
he began to unpack his canvases ! found
had been entertaining an angel unawares."
Gilbert then proceeded to uncover, for
Lennox's inspection, several Of Baxter's por-
traits, both men and women. Each Of
these works confirmed Lennox's i'm
preston of the painters power. He
returned to the picture on the easel. Marian
Everett reappeared at his silent call, and
n,,t ~ ba
trating tenderness and melancholy.
"He may say what he pleases," thought
Lennox, "the resemblance is, in some degree,
also a matter Of expression. Gilbert" be
added, wishing to measure the force of the
likeness, "whom does it remind you OFF,
Il know" said Gilbert, 'of whom 1t re-
minds you.n
"And do you see it yourselfp
They are both handsome, and both have
auburn hair. That's all can see."
Lennox was somewhat relieved. It was
not without feeling Of discomfort-a feel
ing by no means inconsistent with his first
moment Of pride and satisfaction-tbat he
thought Of Marian's peculiar and individual
charms having been subjected to the keen
appreciation Of another than himself He
was glad to be able to conclude that the
painter had merely been struck with what
was most superficial in her appearance, and
that his own imagination supplied the rest.
1t occurred to him, as he walked
home, that it would be not unbe-
coming tribute to the young girls loveliness
on his own part, to cause her portrait to be
painted by this clever young man. Their
engagement had as yet been an affair of pure
sentiment, and he had taken an almost
fastidious care not to give himself the vulgar
appearance Of mere purveyor Of luxuries
and pleasures Practically, he had been as
yet for his future wife a poor manor rather
a man, pure and simple, and not a million
aire. He had ridden with her. he had sent
her flowers, and he had gone with her to the
opera. But he had neither sent her sugar
plums, nor made bets with her, nor made her
presents Of jewelry. Miss Everett's female
friends had remarked that he hadn't as vet
given her the least little bethrothal ring,
either of pearls or of diamonds. Marian,
however, was quite content. She was, by
nature, great artist in the mise en- scene of
emotions, and she felt instinctiyely that this
classical moderation was but the converse
presentment Of an immense matrimonial
abundance. In his attempt to make 1t i'm.
possible that his relations with Miss Everett
should be tinged in any degree with the acci-
dental condition of the fortunes OF either
party, Lennox had thoroughly understood
his own instinct He knew that he should
some day feel strong and irresistible
impulse to offer his mistress some visi-
bic and artistic token Of his affection,
and that his gift would convey a greater sat
isfaction from being sole of its kind 1t
seemed to him now that his chance had come.
What gift could be more delicate than the
gift of an opportunity TO contribute by her
patience and good will TO her husbands DOS,
session Of a perfect likeness of her facet
On that same evening Lennox dined with
his future fatherin-law, as it was his habi,
TO do once a week.
Marian" he said, in the course Of the din.
ner, ~ saw this morning an old friend ol
yours"
"Ah," said Marian, "who was thatF'
ssNr Daytap tho nafnta, :