Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-10-31

years. There's nothing comic about
Groper in private life; he's the most
serious Cannibal / know. His seri-
BUSINESS and his constant complaints
about the cookery are his principal
characteristics.
We are still Cannibals, Groper,
and l, and fast friends. 1t was from
Groper, by dint OF pretending that |
had never heard all his old stories be-
fore, that l ascertained the true his
! tory OF Lottie Vivian of the Portico
Theatre.
"She was pupil of old Jack Slid
er's-most of the successful ones have
been pupils of Slider's, said Groper,
sat some time or other. It's
strange thing" he went on; "she
came out at the Portico, and she has
had constant engagement there
ever since for the last eight years.
She's good all round, that's what
she is, said Groper enthusiastically,
and then he went on to describe her
various triumphs, with which | shall
not trouble you. But though she
is popular favorite alta fashionable
theatre, there has never been word
against her" said Groper. "She is as
good as gold and as straight as
a die, and every farthing she
earns goes to her family-to
her old father, who was u
big man on the Stock Exchange
once, mind you" said Groper, .and
to whole family of little brothers
and sisters, who are entirely depend
ent upon her. She is an ambitious
girl, too" he added, "and they say
she's going to marry Lord Wall
\ send"
"What! the mad millionaire" said
l.
That's the man." said Groper.
And then Groper began to abuse
/ the dinner, and | heard no more
I about Lottie Vivian from him.
went on paying my half-crown at
the Portico, and | got deeper and
deeper in love with my fellow-lodger,
| and my love intertered n good deal
with my work. Then it was that |
I got my first commission to paint a
portrait. That portrait made my
fortune, and the painting of it near
ly broke my heart.
1t came about in this way; | got a
note one day from Miss Yivian-I
have it still-requesting me to call
I upon her on little matter of bust
ness. | took a good deal OF pains
with my toilet, and then went down
stairs and knocked at the door oil
my fellow-lodger.
There was nothing fast about Miss
Vivian. She was very quietly dressed,
and she came to business at once.
''Nr. Stippler," she said, you'll
excuse my asking you to come here
in this informal way but the fact is
that / want to have my portrait
painted. l can't afford to pay very
much for it, Mr.. Melchizedec re
commended me to you. Can you
oblige me in this matter, Mr.
Stippler, and" here she blusheC
violently, will it be very expensive?
Madam" | replied with enthusi
asm, you do me too much honol
in selecting me. If you permit mt
to paint your portrait, it'll cost yoi
just nothing at all. =
''Ahp' she answered, with a silver
laugh-don't grin, sir, it was silvery
it wasn't bit STACEY; an innocent
silvery, girlish, delicious little laugl
THAT'S not business, Mr.. Stippler
Besides" she added gently snubbins
me, lit was Mr. Melchizedec's selec
ton, and not mine. Let's leave com
! pliments, and come to business. YoI
don't know how sick of compliment
, | am, Mr.. Stippler."
/ blushed. felt like fool, and
! know | looked like one.
! "Alr. Melchizedec said somethin.
: about twenty guineas," said Mis-
! Vivian.
81 shall be only too delighted"
, burst in.
7 "Then we may consider it as set
tied, Mr.. Stippler," said my fellow
! ledger. when shall sit to you?"
] made an appointment and tn
7 thing was done. Ofcourse l expect
! ed she would want to be painted il
). character. Nothing of the kind.
"You see, Mr.. Stippler, she said, i"
I must take you into my confidence
! intend this portrait as a present
g as a sort of surprise. l wish to Civ
: it to a gentleman whom / am abou
y to marry" and then she blushed an
:, gave little sigh; and / would hay
= groaned aloud had / dared.
y So she sat to me in a little simpl
J deignoir of French muslin-tea gown
= weren't invented then-and when
? had posed her she said to me:
4 lord Wallsend-that is the nam
I of the gentleman to whom l am Ell
/ gagged, and / tell it to you in col
r fidence, Mr.. Stippler-has seen me i
: Cordelia. He thinks a great deal ,
r my hair. You won't think me vail
i Mr.. Stippler, if ask you if may Il
a it down."
n "Of course / said that it was cal
4 ital idea. She pulled out half-a-do
ON hairpina and n prpot Olorv ,