The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-01

fcontemptuously watching us as we turned
over the paintings-possiblyh he was amused by
our iargon of ''tone'' and quality" and the
rest. At length l picked up from the heap
painting that caught my eye and propped it up
on the easel near the lamp. 1t was quite unlike
Graves's usual work, and stood looking at it
for moment, not quite knowing why l did So
1t was the head of young woman, pale and
slightly worn. She was leaning little for
ward, looking out of the picture her mouth
parted by slight tremulous smile, and in her
eyes q look that was a strange minging of emo
tions, as if new hope and happiness had come
into life of sorrow-a look half wistful, half
exultant / turned to speak to Graves, and
saw that Quiller had got up and was standing
gazing at the picture with look of fascination
or OF fear. Here at last was something that in
terested him.
Where did you get that?" he asked alb
ruptly.
"What do you think of 1t ~ said Graves
slowly.
''It's good head" said Teddy O'Breln.
SITS wonderful model" said l.
"A face to haunt one," said Quiller, in q tone
quite unlike his ordinary cynical one.
''Ah, that's it," said Graves. SITS more than
1 humann
"Who is it ?" said CUTLER, in his abrupt way
/ again.
/ "'Pon my soul | can't tell you, for don't
know. It's queer story and one I'm almost
ashamed to ask you to believe. 1 shau't blame
! you if you think Pm humbuggng."
We settled ourselves by the fire with our
pipes, aud Dick began his story in manner,
for him, so unusually grave and impressive that
it seemed to leave no room for doubt as to his
perfect good faith in the matter.
~ went into Cornwall, as you know, at the
end Of the summer and after loafng 'round
Newlyn for while, [ went to the south coast,
to try and find some place that had been less
painted. l stayed few days at Polperro, but
it was all so much like the smaller exhibitions
in town that / could not stand it, and | finally
landed at naming small seaport town
"where there were no painters and not many
visitors. stayed at the ship Inn, and looked
round for some place to hang up my palette
After some inquiries l found a small cottage
which had been empty for some time, but
which had evidently been used as a studio, fol
there was wall knocked out at one side and a
goodsized room added, with a high north
light. On the south, the kitchen and sparlor
which opened one into the other, hadsa view ol
the loYeliest little harbor in the world. The
place was just what wanted, and the rent was
absurd-only fl0 year; so L took it for six
months, on the understanding | was to keep il
on il l chose bought few things to make
the place comfortable, and got an old woman tC
look after it for me; but | lived most of the
time at the Ship. Inn, and just at first | spent
very little time at the studio, only taking IN
my canVases at night When October set IL
cold and wet had to do some work indoors
and then it was L began to think there was
something queer about the place. One day
had been painting young girl from the village
! the granddaughter of my ancient dame, and
was putting few touches to the background
when L heard a sound close behind me, like
very gentle sigh. looked 'round quickly, but
there was no one in sight-no one in the room
in fact / went on painting, with an uncom
Portable feeling OF something uncanny, and in