Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-24
NY FIRST COMMISSION.

her SIDE Is ner Husbahu LoAs III ~
the weird ike Paul Pry."
That was what my nephew said 70 me
as her carriage turned into the park 1t
the Apsley house corner.
Beautiful l replied; beautiful
doesn't express it: she was an angel
She is an angel. . saint, and martyr. too
Cad, how loved that woman!
.'Oh, OF course. uncle" replied my
graceless nephew. professionally.
suppose
You see there isn't so very much dif-
ference in our ages, though ! am his
uncle. and we are more like brothers
than uncle and nephew.
You know you are very bad lot,
uncle" the boy went on. You go on
loving 'em, till you put the last finishing
touch. and then you start another can
vas and begin to love somebody else.
believe that's the secret of your success
as 4 portrait painter"
Ny nephew is always saying rude
things to Inc.
Jack, said severely, my success
is due entirely to perseverance and the
fact that never flatter." And then that
impuden. nephew Of mine blew out his
cheeks. got very red in the face and
nearly choked himself with laughter.
And then we sat down upon two Of
the green chairs.
Tell US about her, boss" said Jack.
have three pupils, including my
nephew; they all smoke short pipes in
my presence and they all three call me
boss"
That's the Countess Of Wallsend, be-
gan. Fifteen years ago her husband, the
earl. Paul Pry, as you call him-and you
are not the first, Mr.. Jack, to call him
Paul Pry-became "A widower, and every
right minded young woman in society
duly set her cap at him. At that time |
lived Off the Tottenham Court road, and
| was madly in love with Lottie Vivian.
was the third floor lodger. just
earned a living then, and no more. 1t
was before had learned to fatter, Mr..
Jack. Her photograph struck me at
first. bought the photo--the photo Of
Lottie Vivian, of the Portico theatre
and paid my half crown at the pit
door
One night as l came out Of the pit Of
the Portico found that it was raining
cats and dogs, but money was scarce
with me, and l walked home through
the rain, because | couldn't afford cab
Just az neared my own door four
wheeler drew up at it. lady paid the
driver. and then she opened the street
door with her latch key and disappeared
into the house Great heavens! it was
Lottie Vivian herself. and stood in the
rain in open mouthed establishment. In
few moments the gas was turned up in
the first floor. and then it dawned upon
me at once.
| am not curious man. knew that
an actress lived on the first floor, and
that teacher Of languages lived on the
second. but |. the third floor lodger. had
never troubled my head about them in
the least. mad never even asked their
names. | went up to my rooms and
flung myself into my easy chair, and
thought Of the strange fatality that the
woman admired above all living WON
en- should be actually dwelling with me
under the same roof. and that we were
separated only by a single floor. But
though was in love | had certain
amount of common sense left. and re-
menbered that there was great gulf
between Lottie Vivian, the popular act
ress, and the painter of pot boilers on the
third floor.
We are still cannibals, Groper and l.
and fast friends. 1t was from Groper,
by dlnt of pretending that | had never
heard all his old stories before, that
ascertained the true history of Lottis
Vivian. Of the Portico Theatre
"She was pupil of old Jack Slider's-
most of the successful ones have been
pupils of Sliders," said Groper, at
some time or other. It's a strange thing
he went on; ''she came out at the Port
leo and she has had a constant engage.
ment there ever since for the last eight
years. Every farthing she earns goes to
her family-to her old father, who was
big man on the Stock Exchange once
mind You, said Groper, land to whole
family OF little brothers and sisters, who
are entirely dependent upon her. She 10
an ambitious girl. too" he added, land
they say she's going to marry Lord Wall
send"
what. the mad millionaire" said l.
That the man. said Groper.
And then Groper began to abuse the
dinner, and heard no more about Lot
tie Vivian from him.
Wen, on paving my half crowns At
the Port co, and got deeper and deeper
in love win my fellow lodger. and my
love interlered a good deal with my
work. Then it was that got my first
commission to paint portrait. That
portrait made my fortune, and the paint
ing Of it nearly broke my heart
1t came about in this way: got = note
one day from Miss Vivian-l have il
still-requesting me to call upon her on
little matter of business. | took .
good deal Of pains with my toilet. and
then ! went down stairs and knocked at
the door Of my fellow lodger.
There was nothing fast about Miss
Vivian She was very quietly dressed.
and she came to business at once.
"Mr. Stippler," she said. you'll excuse
my asking you to come here in this in
formal way, but the fact is that I wan
TO have my portrait painted. can't A.
ford to pay much for it. Mr.. Melchizedec
recommended me to you. Can you obliga
me in this matter, Mr.. Stippler, and
here she blushed violently, will It b
very expensiveY'
MADAM" replied with enthusiasm,
"you do me too much honor in selectipa
me. If you permit me to paint yow
portrait. it'll cost you just nothing q
all"
"Ah. re answered, with Q silvery
laugh-don't grin. sir. it was silvery; Il
wasn't bit STACEY; an innocent, silvery,
girlish. delicious lit lie laugh that's not
business. Mr.. Stippler. Besides" shs
added, gently snubbing me, sit was Mr..
Melchizedec's selection, and not mine.
Let's leave compliments, and come To
business. You don't know how sick al
comp ments am, Mr.. Stippler."
1b.ushed. Ifelt like fool and know
l looked like one.
"Mr Melchizedec said sometime
about twenty guineas," said Miss Vivian.
Il shall only be too delighted" ]
burst in.
Then we may consider 1t a. settled,
Mr.. Stippler,' said my fellow lodeer.
when shall sit to your
made an appointment and the thina
was done, OF course l expected thai
she would want to be painted in charae
ter. Nothing of the kind.
"You see. Mr.. Stippler." she said, ~
must take you into my confidence. lin