Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1890-09-06
Mr.. HEAPHEY's GHOST.

MN. HLAfnEl . UNJUST.
This story g told by a. New York friend Of
artist resident In London. Charles Dickens
In biz Published letters refers 70 sHeaIhey US
0hoet" :. the most wonderful ghost story
Near the end of a long summer day,
toward the close of London season,
Mr.. Heaphey was alone in his studio in
London. 1t was large apartment with
alcoves, in one OF which a number of
portraits and pictures were hung upon
tbs walls, with the usual bricabrac of
IN artists reception room. This room
was entered directly from landing
place ut the head Of a broad fight Of
stairs leading down into the street and
past small ptrter's room, for the studio
was In public building occupied by o
number OF persona
Coming int, his reception room from
. smaller cabinet. into which he was
putting away some papers, Mr.. Heap
hoy was startled to see lady, quite ,ln-
Known to him, young, Of good figure and
carriage, dressed quietly, in perfect
taste and in the fashion. who was walk
ing around the room and inspecting the
pictures.
Mr.. Heaphey approached and saiuted
hen observing a. he did 70 that. while
she was unQuestionably fine looking, her
countenance was unusually pale, and
that her eyes, which she fixed upon him
- he spoke to her, had singular, and,
a. he afterward described it, almost
suncanny" expression
She made no explanation whatever Of
her presence. but at once asked him
whether he could paint Immediately q
portrait Of her for dear friend to whom
shs wished TO send 1t as soon as possible.
Mr. Hsaphey replied that he would be
happy 70 do 20 II it were In his power,
bat that he was on tho point of leaving
London for Q round Of visits in the
country; that be had many professional
engagements which would probably oc-
cupy him during the remainder OF the
year.
The lady treated these objections with
polite indifference and persisted, saying
that 1t would got be necessary for Mr..
Heaphey that she should sit to him.
you win not forget my face, said she
with singular intonation, "and il /
am not misinformed as 10 your talents
yen caa make sketch of me now from
which you could paint such portSait
- wish"
Mr. Heaphcy thanked her for her good
opinion, bat again excused himself.
Nothing would do, however, and the
lady finally carried her point 50 far that
Mr.. Heaphey--he could hardly say why,
and certainly against his own will and
judgment-coilsented to undertake the
commission.
1t viii be necessary for me, he said,
sto find some time during the autumn
when can give you your sittings, and
u you will oblige me with your name
and address I will see what can do and
will let you know"
That Is hardly necessary" said the
lady. Il will be here at any time you
appoint.
Mr.. Heaphey looked at her with
establishment.
But don't see how you can be here
unless let you know when that time
will be-.
Il shall have no difficulty about that,
seid the lady, almost petulaDtly. I'm
The mean time ] will see that you have
On engraving OF face which l am
told strongly resembles my own--so
strongly that it has sometimes been
mistaken for portrait of me. This will
serve to keep me in your mind" she
said, smiling; -and, by the way, wish
you would try to make sketch of me
uow!"
Puzzled by the lady's manner as much
q BY her words, lie quietly said:
@Oh, excuse ms, will get my address
book, and we will arrange matters"
and with this he turned his back for
moment 70 the lady, and going to desk,
opened 1t to take out the book of which
he spoke. When he turned again with
tho book in his hand to his profound
establishment the lady had vanished.
The door Of the studio was shut, as 1t
bad been during the whole interview.
He instantly ran and opened it.
No trace Of her could be seen.
He ran hastily down and questioned
the porter. His amazement was height
ened when he found that the porter not
only protested that he had not seen any
lady go out, but declared that, so far as
he knew, no lady had entered the build
ing for more than an hour before.
He went up stairs again and set about
the occupation in which he had been in
tenupted by his extraordinary visitor.
His arrangements to leave town being
completed, the next morning he went
back to the studio TO zee that everything
was put in propeS order for the vaca.
ton, and TO give some final directions.
On his desk lay, with number Of let
sers from the mail, a small roll OF paper
Addressed to him by name, but bearing
no postmark or any sign Of having passed
through the mails. He took this rol! Of
paper up carelessly, opened it. and, to
bis unspeakalle astonishment, found
himself confronted with an engraved
portrait Of q lady bearing most mar
velous resemblance in the form Of the
head, manner of wearing the hair. and
the features 70 his mysterious visitor Of
the previous evening.
This engraving, On examination, he
found had been taken out Of one Of the
handsome ANIMALS which had been In
vogue many years before--t thi"k from
enc OF Heeth's Books Of Beauty" Il