Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-11-30

time.
Alexander wrapped the coat up and
put it away on q closet-shelf. Aitef
that Mr.. Winthrop came nearly every
Wednesday, for good many weeks
and then the portrait was finished at
last, and was sent away. 1t made a |
fine picture Mr.. Winthrop was tall,
well-built man, with strong, vigor-
Gus face a little flushed, and bushy |
head of hair just beginning to turn
gray, and Mr.. Archer had caught his
best expression perfectly. Every one
who saw it was delighted.
Mr.. Winthrop and Mr.. Archer had
become very good friends, and Mrs.
Archer had fallen into the way OF sit
ting in the studio while the work was
going on, with her painting or sewing
But Mr.. Winthrop was a busy man, and
after the picture was done, 1t was a
long time-nearly "a year-before he
came again.
One day the carriage brought him
once more. The Archers were both at
home. Mr.. Archer was at work just
with blue eyes and sunny hair, dressed
in hlac.: velvet. They had a very
pleasant nalf-hour together, and then
Mr.. Winthrop rose to 60
"Oh, by the way" he said, as he
stood by the door, lit just occurs to
me that have Il coat here. forgot
it when | went away. That was
favorite coat OF mine. II you can lay
your hand on it now, without trouble,
I'll take it."
"Oh, surely" said Mr.. Archer.
ON let Alexander get it, said Mrs.
Archer.
"Coatp" said Alexander, when he
was summoned in. "Coatp"-I wish |
could give you his voice, as well as his
words-the strong melancholy in its
tones, and u faint, Elusive negro ac-
cent-too faint and too Elusive to be
represented at all in type.
| Don't you remember the Prince AL
bert coat | had here, Alexander"
asked Mr.. Winthrop.
"Seems IS if did, now" said Alex
|
side, at short intervals. and looking
steadily at his own boots. Seems 8
If recalls that coat. an yet
'Oh yes, Alexander" said MIR.
Archer, "of course you remember that
coat. Go and look for it. 1t must be
here, somewhere"
Alexander shambled about the
studio, looking not only in the closets,
but in all sorts of impossible places,
under chairs and behind boxes and
pictures. Then he went shufflin
through the other rooms, noisily opel
ing drawers, inspecting shelves, LOOK
ing into trunks.
Mr. Winthrop resumed his seat,
meanwhile, and the talk ran on again.
But Mrs, Archer exchanged looks will
her husband.
Alexander returned after short
time.
81 can't seem to fin no coat about,
he said, bowling and bowling, and look
ing at the floor, and the pictures, and
everywhere but at Mr.. Archer. Some
fin mus have happened to that coat. "
Il will look for it myself, Alexan-
der" said Mrs Archer, in tone OF
displeasure, and so she departed and
looked through the drawers and trunks
and closets, but all with no better re-
suits.
We'll, Mr.. Winthrop" she said, as
she came back, there certainly is
something mysterious about the disap.
pearance of that coat. l can not find
it. But we will have a thorough searcl
for it, and will send it to YOU"
SO Mr. Winthrop went rolling ava
in his carriage.
alexander" said Mrs. Archer
when he was gone, don't you remem
Der that coat Mr.. Winthrop left herep'
"CoatP" said Alexander, bending his
head on one side and beginning to bow
> "why, yes, | do rememb' that Goa
perf'ly."
"And did you really look for it jus
now as hard as you knew howp"
Well" said Alexander, as if eigh
ing his words very carefully, well
now. not just as hard as | has some
things, well, no"
'And did you really expect to find i
where you lookedP"
"Well, now,n said the old man, ''jus
) where l look, why, no can't say di,
sxpec' to see it jus TIL ere"
alexander" said Mrs Archer, in
severe tone, II believe you never toll
me falsehood. Do you know wher
that coat lisp"
"Well. now" he said, 81 suppose
do know where that coat is, well. yes
why, | am shocked. Alexander,
said Mrs Archer. "Where is itP VII
1 has it. Have you sold itP"
9 "No."
Given it awayP'
NO"
4 20 Alexander have you been wear
ing that beautiful coat?"
:, well, now, Mis- Archer said Al
exander looking her in the face now
: and holding up his two black hand
with their white palms toward her, q
4 you will pause moment, | wish to sa
few words to save my character frol
sacrilege. l have not wore that coat.
"Who didpN
4 We'll. Mis- Archer, Mr.. Archer hav
that very coat on hi'selt, this yer