Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-12-18

"Oh, it's picture, it isn't person, "
said the girl, catching her breath. "Oh,
please do come. You're an artist, and
aud you can tell me what to do. Can
you come now, at once?"
Swept away by the torrent OF her
strong, young will, Mr.. Evandale ex-
changed the velvet neglige for tweel
coat, reached down his hat and placed
himself under the girls guidance.
Though don't know who you are,
said be, "nor where we are going!'
The blue ewes flashed up into his face.
Didn't tell you' I am Beryl
Browne. Ny sister Aunabelle is one Of
your pupils. She is in Newport, now.
We live at Is Cooper Court. 1t isn't SO
very far from here That's why l came
to you, because l knew you were au art
ist, and could tell Inc what to do. I've
three dollars of my own saved up, aud
l can pay you what you ask" ."
ooh" SAID Evaudale, comprehending
at once why it was that the oval face
and Irish-bluc eyes had been so familiar
to him at first. Bellies sisterl Why had
Belle never told him that she had q sister
like this' 18 Cooper Courtl Why had
Belle given him to understand that she
lived oa Lexington avenue, close to tho
park9 Cooper Court was a respectable
little street where milliners hung out
their signs, aud board and furnished
rooms could be had at reasonable rates,
but he could hardly understand Mrs.
Van Der Heyden's guest living in that
locality.
All this while he walked along with
Beryl Browne fitting at his side.
"Wc keep boarders, said she, iu as
matter-o course a way as if she had said
sit is fine day"-''aud we have to
clean house when we eau, aud mother
and l were taking down the curtains in
Bellies room, to get it ready for new
gentleman and his wife, aud | hit my
elbow against the picture as it stood on
the mantel aud knocked it over against
the carved chair top, and"-clasping the
mitted hands tragically, "it went-right
through the Guardian Angels face
Oh, here's the place. Do come in!
Mother, this is Mr.. Evandale, Bellies
teacher. The great artist, you know"
Little Mrs. Browne, who looked like q
Dutch doll seen through the lens OF a
magnifying glass, courtesied low.
'It's here" she said, Gin the parlor
Oh, sir, could could it be repaired, so
she won't know
Mr.. Evandale smiled. Before him on
the table lay a canvas with a Jagged hole
through IFS centre-the canvas whose
ornamentatiOn he himself had supervised
Bellies own work.
"'No, said he, quietly; "it cauuot be
repaired.
"Theu," said Beryl, her eyes larger
and moro solemn thau before, "please
could | paint one exactly like it''
"Do you also paiutl' he asked.
Beryl hung her head.
''If you won't tell Belle" she whis.
pcred-"yes. wanted to take lessons,
too, but Belle scolded aud said was
vain and presumptuous to fancy that
could do such thing; SO | never dared
let her know Of my endeavors. But |
bought some paints and brushes, aud l
used to experiment sometimes when she
wasn't at home"
"Lct me see your efforts, said Evan
dale, more aud more interested in this
peculiar peep behind the scenes; and
Beryl made haste to produce her unprc-
tending portfolio.
This is Spot, the cat, " said she, "snd
this is bunch OF roses that some one
gave Belle, and this is a copy Of Beatrice
Cenci. And here is the Coliseum by
moonlight, only Betsy, the girl, says it
isn't mooney at all; and Nicolo, the ash
mau, says it doesn't look like the Coli
seum-and he's an Italian and knows.
Could ] copy the Guardian Angel do
you think, Mr.. Evandale2"
Evandale shook his head.
"No," said he. "Thcse pictures are
full of spirit, aud think, Miss Beryl,
you have it in you TO be an artist; but
you are not yet up to such a picture as
that"
"Then," she said, twill you copy itl
In three days or week1 I've got three
dollars, and mother will give me some
of the housekeeping money to help, I'm
almost sure. Mother is as afraid Of
Belle as am" she added, with ncrv.
Gus little laugh. "Belle does scold
us 50 awfully. Belle thinks VIC arc
none Of US congsnial to her. And we
are 50 glad that she has got that situa-
tion as companion and reader to Mrs.
Van Der Heyden's sister in Newport
"Oh, said Eyandale, scarcely know
ing whether to laugh or frown.
Beryl nodded her head.
"Thc salary isn't much, said she;
"but Belle says the Van Der Heydcus
are away great deal, and she can use
the carriage as if it belonged to her.
Half the Newport people believe she's a
visitor there, Just the same as Miss De