The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-02-14

SHE TRiPPED.
ern chambers, j, together with his
| other belongings, was packed, and we
| learned that New York, Jacks home,
was our destination.
1t seemed he was taking every thing
with him except his valet; so the latter,
as a consolation for losing so good a
situation. soothed his injured feelings
by calmly stealing the contents of one
trunk. and alasl | was among the pur-
Joined property, and was turned wrong
side out and rolled so tightly that it was
impossible for me to know any thing of
my whereabouts for some days.
The next time 1 saw the light the
condition of my surroundings. the quail
i.y of my neighbors, the indescribable
litter of innumerable articles made me
look forward with joy for any change.
An American artist wandering into
the old curiosity shop appreciated me at
the first glance, and in a few hours l
was being packed for an ocean voyage,
and we next saw the light in New
York studio. The first day after we
were all settled in our new quarters
John Marble, my new owner. gave a
reception, and what gathering of pre-
possessing people it was! l won't &C
knowledge that the men were any su-
perior to my contemporaries of two
hundred years ago, but the graceful
girls, the wonderful women, the lovely
ladies' the charming children who
thronged the studio that afternoon fair
ly made my threads thrill! And imagine
my delight on recognizing the two beau
tiful girls by whom had been so much
admired few months previous in the
old castle! | assure you it gave me great
qualification to see that the recognition
was mutual.
soon learned that Beverly Campbell.
who had made the sketch of me, and
Jack Marble were cousins, and Maud
was the name of her inseparable friend,
the writer of the valentine verse.
The two girls were frequent visitors
at the studio. as Miss Campbell had
agreed to pose for a painting which
Marble hoped to finish in time for the
spring exhibition: and they showed
for background.
could see the full effect of the paint
ing in the mirror as it progressed.
There was Beverly in an artistically
draped robe of charming tone. gracefully
seated ON pile of cushions, touching
the light guitar, making harmonious
contrast to my rich cOloring. Who could
blame the artist-though certain carp
ing critics did-for making the old
tapestry too prominent?
The work was undeniably a great sue
cess. and in the spring exhibition it was
| hung on the line and received fiatter-
ing notices from the press and praise
from the public, Notwithstanding the
fact that | was pronounced ''tOo pro-
nounced for suitable background"
Before the first private view was over
the painting had little card stuck in
the corner marked sold"
was there, too, in reality, as well as
by proxy in the painting. Marble had
loaned me to the decorating commit
| tee, and l was hung in the corridor,
| where, though almost concealed by hor-
rid palms and pernicious plants, l could,
| by looking through the doorway. see
| the picture of myself and Miss Beverly.
One day it struck me there was some
| thing familiar about one of the men
who was looking at our painting; he was
lost in the crowd, however, before my
| curiosity was satisfied. Later he re-
turned, and for long time gazcd at the
| canvas No one could wonder at this,
for it was beautiful piece of tapestry
painting and quite did me justice; and
| Miss Beverly's figure in the foreground
! undoubtedly added to the attractiyeness
| of the general effect.
The following day the same familiar
| figure was again studying our work.
| Finally caught a glance of his face.
Yes. 1t was my former owner, jack
Janvier!
How l longed to drop right off the
hooks and fall on his neck as he passed
near me. and how / hated the stuck-up
plants for shutting me so much from
! viewi
Day after day Janvier came to the
gallery, and our painting absorbed most
of his attention. l always knew he was
fond of me, but for such devotion as this
l was unprepared.
On one occasion they all came very
near meeting. Janvier had just turned
from the picture and passed out of the
gallery as Jack Marble. with Beverly
Campbell and her inseparable friend,
Maud, entered the opposite door. What
a pleasure it would be. ] thought, tO
bring them together and have the two
Jacks and the two fair maidens formally
presented.
y
The exhibition over, the painting was
sent to its purchaser, and l was sent to
the studio, but, much to my discomfort,
not unrolled. However, I recognized
Janvier's voice, who entered the studio
one morning and introduced himself to
Mr.. John Marble.
| He was enthusiastic over the painting
| in the exhibition, only regretting that
it was purchased at the first private
l view, before he had seen the collection.