Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-08

that fore-sbortening is admirnble, the
line OF death upon the cheek is ifeiike,
/ may say, the open lips, mouth scarcely
fallen, as though death had only recently
taken place, are really a triumph OF
effect, and the gray shadow"
1t was too much; only stern neces-
sity prevented Madeline from snatching
the canvas from the man and rushing out
OF the shop. AS it was she clinched her
hands tightly, and reminded herself that
she needed the money to pay for the
child's funeral, before she interrupted
the man, whose every word pierced her
heart like a dagger.
care you willing to purchase the pic
ture ,"
81 shall do so eventually, but 1 am
not prepared to name o price just now.
| might sell it on commission"
Madeline clasped her hands nervously.
1 am in immediate need, otherwise
I would not sell the picture at all. 1t
wonld oblige me-"
Certainly, l quite understand IL; il
you will be good enough to give me
your address, will let you know my
price later in the day."
Madeline flushed, but she steadied
her hand and wrote her address on the
sheet of paper he pushed toward her.
Then, faint from sorrow and want Of
food, she left the shop and walked
feebly back to the attic where the baby
was lying.
There was no welcoming baby voice to
greet her as she YEARLY assembled the
stairs, and she unlocked the door and
entered the room with q terrible con-
seriousness OF desolation.
As she looked, white and fearless, at
the little waxen face moment after, she
shivered from head to foot; faint, dark
line surrounded the mouth, the first sad
evidence OF change. She started back
shocked and agonized,
$50 soon," she moaned. "Not three
days dead, and already"
Then sharp thought stung her into
keener anguish her baby would soon be
taken ont of her sight, and she had sold
the only picture OF him that she pos
sessed. Prudence whispered that it WAS
necessary to provide money for the ex-
penses Of the funeral, but Madeline
would not listen, and, tired as she was,
prepared to return to Regent street and
reclaim her picture. Her fast had not
been broken since the baby died, and she
as she reached the pavement,
but she hurried on wildly, only anxious
to arrive at the shop in time to stop the
sale of the picture.
Soon after Madeline had left the
dealers shop lady and gentleman, at
tracted by fine Baroccio in the window,
came in.
The dealer was expatiating on the
beauties of the painting to the lady,
while her companion gazed hstly around.
All at once he started and walked quickly
to the other end of the shop, where he
paused before MadeliBe's picture, evil
IDENTIFY under the influence of strong ex-
element.
"rhis, madam, is remarkable pic
ture. 1t is mentioned by DR.. Passayant
in his Kimstreise. Observe the delicacy
Of modelling, the purity of tone, not
often attained by painters of that school,
I am sorry to say. If you had come in
half hour earlier | should have said our
modern school could produce nothing
like that, but have just secured a COM
position which is a really extraordinary
work of art. The whole effect seems to
be the result of unprecedented work.
There is scarcely any labor in it, yet its
emotional beauty is perfect"
He led the way to the picture, bowling
low as he waved his hand Electrically
toward it, the gesture indicative Of his
part in the artists success.
Dear me, how exquisite " said the
lady, adjusting her pincc-nez gingerly.
- Those morbid conceptions are really
most striking and suggestive, though, of
quite too horribly artificial. Are
you ready to go, Philip "
The man addressed turned round, and
any one less occupied than his compan-
ion would have been alarmed at the
livid wilderness Of his face.
"What is the price of the picture ?"
he asked.
81 scarcely think I shall dispose of it
just now" the dealer answered eau
iiously.
81 would give you e4OO for it.
cit would hang well over the mantel-
piece in the dining-room," murmured
the lady.
"Well, sir, it is a valuable work, and
am not in hurry to accept any offer
1t first; still"
"Who is the artist ?" the gentleman
fercely.
The dealer lifted his shoulders to his
ears and rubbed his hands softly.
every like my old Tabby," the lady
was remarking in allusion to study OF
eats on an easel. The man turned round,
ont the remark not being addressed to
lim he answered
GAS you see, it is not signed. / am
1nacquainted with the artist, but when
,he calls again l might procure her adj
lress for you"
"Do so, if you please" and without
glance at his companion Philip Vivien
trode ont of the shop.
"Horriblel horrible !" he said to
himself. "That is Madeline's child the
LIKENESS is too great TO be mistaken; but
low is it that she has painted the boy
Ike that 2"
at is actually wicked to imagine such
horrors, don't you think SO, Philip?
That dreadful picture, you know. Babies
lever die of starvation nowadays, do
hey? L suppose parochial boards are
most energetic and complete now their
expenditure shows that but really they
hould put stop to realistic subjects
n art. Art, OF course, Is the diverse of |
nature"
Philip turned impatiently from the wo-
nan at his side somehow his sisters |
weak conversation was more annoying |
o-day than it had ever been before, and |
ust then he wished to be at liberty to
hink over the past in which he had |
Irlven Madeline from her home.
1t was not yet three years since he had |
brought her to it, beautiful child-wife, |
lot year since he had yielded himself |
o his master passion, and under its in
Iuence had said words which had COM
Yelled her to leave his roof. The words
lad been false, provoked 10y the demon
n whose power he had placed himself
,ut how was Madeline to know that they
eferred to his sister? He had intended
o deceive her, and he had succeeded too
veil his wife had left him, and until to-
ay he had not been able to find a clew
n har b;dinO.niooa