Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-16


~, pointing with her parasol to picture Of
a rude country bridge and dam. eyes, y
said her elder BROTHER Spirited and lifelike.
Who is the painter, Irene"
The beauty consulted her catalogue. Soak
hurst-James Oakhurst"
"a newname. Look at that distant spire, .
he continued, "laintly showing among the
trees in toe background The water is sur
prisingly trac. a charming picture. think
III buy it."
"How quickly you decide" said the lady,
with an air Of languor "The picture is pretty
enough, but you haven't seen tie rest of the
collection yet. Galsone paints lovely land
scapes, they say. ] wouldn't be enthusiastic
about a picture by an artist one doesn't Know
anything about
a gentleman standing behind a screen
near by moved away with a changed express
sion ali deepening flush. Another person,
an artist, evidently, now accosted the party,
addressing them as Sir. and Miss Norcross.
After the usual civilities he called their at
teItion 10 the picture before them.
we were just admiring it," said Mr..
Norcross.
"Do you like it, Mr.. Palettop asked the
lady
Eyes exceedingly"
"Ahl the generosity of a brother artist, y
replied Miss Norcross.
mo; you DO the picture injustice, and me,
too, for that matter; for" he added with a
laugh, a am not generally supposed to ruin
my friends by indiscriminate fattery. This
young painter has wonderfully improved
He went up into the country last season,
found picturesque little village, and has
made a rortfolo Of very striking sketches.
Mss Norcross began to appear interested.
"Quite promising" said the Adonis of the
mustache, silent until now
eyes, he has blossomed ell at once He
talks Of going abroad.
"Bettah stay at heIne,' said the young gen
tleman, languiily @rve been through all the
gallewies rs always the same stowy,-al-
ways the same old huInbugs to be admired
always a doosid boah.n
Gone relief you must have had in the gal
lerics,p retorted Palette. "Your high shirt
collar wouldn't choke you quite so much
when your head was cooked back"
Adouis-in mustache adjusted his polished
collar with a deicately gloved finger, and de-
cared that the painter was "a jolly fellow. y
Tha gen.iomau who had flushed a moment
before wheu the picture was criticised, was
still within earshot; he now turned an angry
glance upon the last speaker, and was about
to cross the room, when Mr.. Palette stopped
him.
"IYith your permission, Miss Norcross, y
said the painter, nodding meaningly toward
the person retreating
Ger tiinly,n replied the lady.
"5lr. Oa1hurst," said Palette. II wish YOU
to klApw some friends Of mine
~
preached the party, and was presented tc
"Mi-s Nafcross, III. Norcross, Mrs. Nor
cross, and a!r. George Norcrossn
Mis- Norcross greeted him with her most
fascuatI&s1d,. b5r brother shook his hand
warmly ihe cteg lady, widowed sister-in-
law, silent caugtt aei, while the younger
brother Inclined us sad slightly, his collar
not allowing aay sg'i,len movement. In a
moment more the party were walking about
The room looking a5 the pictures.
When at lengta Tire Norcross party were
about to leave Che ro~n, the elder gentleman
said 20 Ar. 0akhurst We should be happy
TO see you u It'll our friend, Ar. Palette, at
our house. Come without ceremony
Miss Norcruss eyes also said, "come" at
least, So Oakhurst thought Mr. George
Norcross, meanwhile, who was cultivating
NEN NiAtltLt IA VI tst-AilNl6ti4H, Aftt tiSbill-
gushing feature aud the ideal u his tribe,
only touched his lips with she Head Of his
cane, aud then smoothed his silky mus
tache.
0akhurst briefly expressed his thanks fol
the invitation, and, when the family had
gene, turned to his friend with an inouirlns
look. "Femous, my boyp said Palette
"Norcross knows something about pictures,
though rather stingy in patronage; and hi
is evidently impressed The beauty
Irene, is not judge, but she is a valuable
friend-now chat you are recognized. The
widow is & most charming person, George, q
puppy, as every young man Of fashion
thinks he must be for year or two, but
harmless snd good-natured. The friendship
of TIE family viii be of service to you"
Slut Irene, as you call her, was deprecia
ting my picture not minute before you
called me-
Precisely, my dear fellow; but she didnr
know who painted it, and moreover, sht
hadn't seen you" Oakhurst blushed again
@Don't color up that way; save
your vermillion for your canvas
you are good looking; and the beauty desire.
the homage of every handsome man, espec
tally il he is likely TO be a lion"
"A hon! painter OF landscapes lion
Besides, am no gallant never Learned
the art Of carrying a lady's FAM
Il hope not; and for that very reason yor
are the proper subject for her Your sim
plicity and frankness are all the more charm
ing TO a woman who needs new sensations
Probably she is tired of her blase and wary
admirers just now. She win capture you
| and shah see new and obsequious slave
Oakhurst attempted to speak, but coult