The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-06-11


Bother tho price; make the picture"
Very good, sir"
"When can get it?"
"Thursday"
And this was Monday. Four days without
her picture, but II was this or nothing.
Six months later Daphne" had become q
familiar name in yOuBg Mr. SkidmOre's i'm
mediate coterie. Not being Of the reticent
order Of discoverers, he had first revealed his
treasure to his crony, sister Sue who in turn
told Nellie Courtney, and from that to Davy
Westbrook was only question Of opportunity.
In this fashion, the story, Of Mr. Skidmore's
fascination percolated through the upper stra-
tum Of society, aud the astute physiOgnOmist
had TO meet all sorts Of sly illusions from the
ladies and unlimited Rnyins from the fellows.
The story Of Daphnc's Beauty was scarcely
credited until Sue had smuEgled Nellie Court
ney aud Mamie Miggs into her brothers room,
aud had displayed 70 them the Daphre cOllec-
tion that had sprung from the original and
lOng-siHce- faded proof In crayon, in oil, au
etching. pastel, and one dear thing in sepil-
all a Daphne in different pose or costume Criti-
cism was silenced; even jealousy could not find
a law in that perfect face.
The WatCr-eOlOr on tho mantel was set about
with the laurel, tie shrub sacred to the Daphne
Of ancient worship.
Daphne is a golden blonde Her eyes are
blue ike the English violet. Her skin Is like
roses and lilies" This Ras the general direc-
tion given by Mr. skidmore to the artist OF
whom he ordered an expensive portrait
The result was startling, superb. II the
young broker bad previously bowed in homage,
he now fguratiyely prostraed himself before
the shrine of his beautiful dream. Daphne.
skid is certainly gone daft" remarked
N.HH Il II
WestbrOok.
ITS n scrt Of fad with him. I believe he
has really talked and imagined himself into
the idea that this undiscovered being is all he
made the artist paint her, aud that she Is de-
signed by fate especially for him. / hear ID
has gone SO far that he coutemplates some
quiEotie notion Of huHting up this woman, who
il probably another fellows wife"
This was month after Mr.. Westbrook's
marriage 20 Nellie Courtney, and Mr. Menden-
hall was engaged 10 sister sue.
Sue told me-" replied Mr. Mendenhall.
dropping his voice. that she was certain Skid
had been searching for this girl all these
months. She thinks he has employed detect
ives In the large cities. She really fears this
piece Of nonsense will keep him from marry
ing"
Yes, it's awfully tough on Mamie. and she
has been SO patient. But, good Lord, what
show has d d1mpy little girl, with red cheeks
and black eyes. alongside that Willowy, lily.
like Daphne; aud, then. the nams2 Think Oi
Nancy Ellen Miggs pitted against the pOetica
Daphne.
"Yes, Daphne; but Daphne what?" and Mr.
Mendenhall gnawed the head Of his cane re
| hectively. There Is just where Mamie ha'
| the advantage. She bas another name. She i.
| Miss Mggs, sole heress TO the big Miggs factO
| Ties, and what's better in affairs where pr0pin,
guilty counts for more than poetry, she is here
on the ground, and the mythical Daphne i:
not"
Maybe Daphne Will materialize on thi.
| trip" remarked young Mr. Skidmore, who,
| few weeks later was packing his bag for a sud
den journey. He had been Unexpectedly called
To Minneapolis on business, and the posi-
biiity Of meeting his ideal lent inspiration tC
this undesirable MidWinter trip.
But few hours had been given him IL
which TO make his preparations and say good
| by to his friends. A part Of this brief time hC
devoted to n good-by visit 10 Mamie Miggs.
"Going away2" queried this fresh littl,
/ apple blossom of n woman, aud her tender
dark eyes became soft and sad.
"Yes, but only for 10 days or two weeks
Beastly trip-just business dyer, you know
Are you not going out TO look for-fOr-
Daphne?" halfplayfully, halfmournfully.
mo, indeed" with "a short forced laugh
"This is straight business, aud deuced unwel
| come at holiday time. Don't forget me Will,
Pm gone," and shaking the plump little hanC
/ in a peTfunctOry fashion, and wholly unheed
Ing the look in her eyes, Dir. Skidmore bad
Miss Miggs good-by, and betook himself to tn
Grand Central Depot.
"What If l should find her2R pensivel,
unused the traveller as he glided over the snow,