The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-05-20

A ? OR7 RAFT
A STORY IN FOUR CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER /.
It was the close of long, gray, cheerless
summers day-a day on which found itim-
possible to settle peacefully to anything in
doors or out; day of restlessness. of gloomy
forebodings, and the worst of bad spirits. 1
had been conducting myself like "a cat be-
fore thunderstorm" according to my friend
and partner in the studio, Jack Morris, who
ended by taking his departure on some err
rand OF his own, and leaving me in silence
and solitude. persuaded myself that it had
been Jack himself who had prevented my
settling to anything steadily, and, getting
out my writing case, began to turn over the
pages of my unfinished article on Japanese
Landscape Art" and resolved that it should
be In the editors hands by next morning.
I wrote on pelseveringly through the
clamor OF church bells and the sounds of feet
| trudging churchward-a sound distinctly un-
like that of the same feet bound on weekday
errands-and on IN the stiffness that follow
ed the cessation of both. / had the house to
| myself, all the other dodgers We're out. and
| great, silent, echoing empty place it seemed.
Even the noise of carriage wheels outside
had no power to induce me to lift my head
and look out of the window.
| O. ~, ,nE E,:,, r
thought as listened to my landlords feet
shutllng up the steps from his abode in the
basement, and the opening of the front door.
| The shutting steps ascended, however, and
| stopped outside my door. Other steps fol-
lowed-a mans tread, firm and vigorous,
then the soft rustic of a woman's dress.
"a lady and gentleman to see you, Sir"
announced my landlord, and hustled in to
| light my gas.
| II hope you do not conSiue. 4 visit at this
hour an objectionable in!rllsion?" spoke q
| pleasant voice in the gloom. "'rhis is the
| only time when we both happen to be disen-
| gagged, and our business here concerns us
equally. Allow me to introduce you to my
wife, the Princess Ferendia.'
Ibowcd to her Highness-- tall lady wrap
| ped in dark mantle, which she wore with
1 singular grace. Her broad, plumy hat was
pulled down over her brows, and smile, the
| flash of a pair of dark eyes, and the sparkle
of her earrings, were all could distinguish.
began to apologize for the darkness but
she put up her hand i'll depreciation of my
worthy landlords unsuccessful operations
with lucifer.
"This light is SO pleasant, quite enough to
talk in; and that is all we have come for"
'The Princess and Iwere both much struck
by portrait of yours in the Academy, Mr..
Jervoise," the Princess went on-"Lord Bel
| haven's, mean. He is a cousin CT mine SO
we could appreciate the excellence of the
| likeness"
ut is admirable. too, as a picture" added
the Princess. "Wc were both delighted"
was delighted with it myself, only, of
course, didn't say so, only observing Sc
dately:
Lord Behavcn was capital subject
II hope you will think the same of Prince
Ferendia."
Her voice struck me rs odd. 1t was full
! and musical, with delicious foreign infec-
| tion, and wondered why it should crate on
my ear so harshly.
SIN fact nothing will serve the Princess
hut that you shall paint my portrait" the
Prince explained; "and we have come to see
when and how it can be arranged How
many sittings must | give you? It's a long
business, isn't it, and an awkward time to
choose, but"
An expressive shrug finished the sentence.
| tried not to lower my position by looking
excessively gratitied; but a commission like
this, following my hitherto solitary success,
was as exhilarating as unexpected l knew
that if ever did make my mark it would be
as painter of portraits, but l had imagined
1t necessary to make a name in some other
| line first. before l should be much sought aft
er. How blessed Lord Bclhaven, who had
| paid off cheaply the obligations he was un-
der to our family by giving me the honor of
q sitting or two!
when can you beginY' asked the lady
abruptly.
TN about ten days time think shall be
at liberty l answered her, trying to consult
my note book in the lessanng light.
| "Ten days!" she cried. impossible! /
want you to begin at once-to-morrow."
'That is, l fear, equally impossible. Thaye
several engagements and work that i should
like to clear otf first. will do my best if
your time is pressing"
SIT is, it isl" she cried with ring of pas
sion almost in her tone which struck me at
the moment as odd, but which set downsto
a bit of foreign exaggeration. The time we
have is so short. l thought you would be
glad to work for me. | heard you were a
rapid painter, too! How long shall you be p
Iratllcr resented this. l had great ideas
of the dignity of my profession. and did not
choose to be possibly ordered about like a
dilatory tradesman by any Prince or Princess
of them all.
did not reply at once, searching for q po-
| lite but firm mode of assuring her Highness
that must take my own way or none.
The Prince interposed, laughing:
| you'll have to give her what she wants
at once or quarrel with us outright. That's
what it usually comes to i'll the end | al
ways give in mysclf-it's the shortest way"
Nay, am not so unreasonable" she pro-
tested. "ilave offended Mr.. Jervoisc that
he does not speak? Is he frowning? l wish
I could see his face" and she turned hers to
mine in the dusk.
The gas tapthat regulated the studio lights
was at my hand, and on this hint turned it
on full, and then stood for the moment trans
fixed and struck speechless by the wonder
ful beauty of the woman who stood smiling
before me. She had risen to shake her cloak
from her shoulders, and now sank down
gracefully again into a soft nest of white fur
lining, at the same moment dofiing herplum-
ea nat and dropping 1t on the ground beside
her chair. Isuppose she was on her way to,
or had just come from, some entertainment,
for she was in full dress, and wore gown
with foundation of deep orange satin,
which showed in streaks and flashes through
a tawny foam of lace.
Her bare, creamy satin-soft arms and
rounded neck showed dazzlingly fair, banded
and clasped by rough misunderstanding un-
| Syy,f,r i, d,,1l
how can describe the witchery of those
long, liquid night-dark eyes that, as their
dusky lashcs lifted slowly, shonc full into
nina with ri. INF