Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-05-28
A PORTRAIT,

We left him to complete his toilet, and
went 10 make the necessary arrangements. I
round that the Princess had set her heart on
my working IN her boudoir, a tiny gem OF q
room, OF which my easel, when set up, abb
sorbed half the available space, and where a
south sun streamed In through tinted blinds.
L made her understand the objections to tho
arrangements, and, assisted by MIR. Nicolas.
we perambulated the house in search OF q
more suitable studio. One room after an
other presented some objections, till NJ.
Nicolas had a happy thought, and conducted
me In triumph to a small apartment opening
on the turn Of the stairs, leading to the SER
wants attics. 1t was over a bathroom. and
was, l suppose, intended for a linen closet or
storeroom, for It was unfinished, except for
an oil cloth on the floor and a small stove.
The light was excellent, and there was quite
room enough for my purpose. NJ. Nicolas
called the footman and labored with him In
my cause in quite a touchingly Jealous man
ner, dragging boxes and planks to form a
sort OF stage, adjusting curtains, carving
chairs in and out, and finally bearing all my
possessions up stairs, and assisting me TO ar
range them till his brow grew damp and his
coat dusty. The Princess watched him 81
ANiAAAs uiA haibAihNh NH NilIl nt Ildu tU0tU.
but her interest in the work seemed TO have
cooled down a little, or she repressed it in
his presence. When her husband appeared,
debonair, smiling, with his orders on, and a
cigarette in his fingers, she took a seat where
she could watch me working. NJ. Nicolas,
In his capacity of tame cat, trotted In and out,
and once reminded her that she had her toilet
to make and an appointment TO keep that
afternoon, bat she answered him with such
tigerish impotence that 4 didn't wonder at
his withdrawal in pique. ] painted In 81
lence, while the Prince talked and smoked
cigarettes necessarily. He was a delightful
companion. He had lived abroad the greater
part of his life, but not enough to ALLEVIATE
him from home interests. He seemed init
mate with every name Of note In the society
of that season. with plenty TO say about them
all. | could not wonder at his universal
popularity He hadbeen married two years,
he told me, and since then he and his wife
had done nothing hut run about and maize
friends, and amuse themselves everywhere.
"My wife and |. and NJ. Nicolas, | should
say; for be has the gift of turning up and
joining us In all sorts Of unexpected places
"a sort Of relation of Hersilie's. Lives at
Ferendia, and runs over to report how things
get on now and then. 1t is very amlable of
him 60 take as much trouble as he does on
our behalf; | suppose he makes it pay some
how. Anyhow, it Is fast becoming a bore.
He Is rich, YOU know, and perfectly present
able, and wild to get into society In England.
There is no reason why he hOuldn't but he
Is too shy TO get in on his own merits, so she
takes him I'm her train everywhere. lie
..aI..n lT,.a.lE ,..w,. .y-lFnl I,.N 900 w.sa ,sraI
of him. | won't stand him next year, remem-
Der that, Hersilie."
She lifted her dark eyes from the cigarette
she was rolling.
NO; you will not have TO stand him next
year.
worked with all speed, and was for once
actually satisfied with the progress made.
The Prince had had enough long before /
was disposed 10 leave of, but the Princess
witched hiG into patience, first for one half
hour and then for another, till l began TO
feel l might as well cease before spelling the
good commencement. The Princess seemed
impatient Of my preparations for departure.
Can you do no morey' she asked. | had
10 assure her that il would be only q waste
of time, and then she demanded at what time
/ could come next day. J named an impossi-
bly, early hour, as | thought, but she agreed
with eagerness. i wished meanwhile TO 20
on with the portrait a little at home, | said.
The carriage was promptly ordered round
fer me, and was 10 call for me next morning.
Meanwhile VI. Nicolas offered me a brandy
and soda, and the Princess left Us. A pleas
ant, frank, chirpy, old-yOung gentleman,
Just the person for a useful tame-cat in such
an establishment. with a profound reverence
for all things English. ] gayeh him an invita-
ton to look in at the studio any time, which
he accepted with gratitude.