Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-05-21
. PORTRAIT.
A STORY IN rouR CHAPTERS.
APT I.

NN'i'i w 01ttlt DtdCtlullN W HnNlIllUE Ill
doors or ont; a day of restlessness,o of gloomy
~1orebodings, and the worst of bad spirits. I
mad been conducting myself like "a cat be-
lore a 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
beer Jack himself who had prevented my
settllng 10 anything steadily, and, getting
out my writing case, began 10 turn over the
pages OF my unfinished article on Japanese
Landscape Art" and resolved that II should
DC In the editors hands by next morning.
L wrote on perseveringly through the
clamOr Of church bells and the sounds of feet
trldging churchward-a sound distinctly I'M
Ike 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 were out, and a
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.
Some Of Jack Morris's swell friends" |
thought as listened To my landlords feet
shuiiiing up the steps from his abode in the
BASEMENT, and tho opening of the front door.
The shutiling steps assembled, 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 consider a visit at this
hour an objectionable intrusion?' spoke q
pleasant voice In the gloom. This is the
only time when we both happen to be olsen
gagged, and our business here concerns us
equally. Allow me to introduce you TO my
wife, the Princess Ferendia."
bowed TO her Highness-atall lady wrap
ped in a dark mantle, which she wore with
singular grace. Her broad, plumy hat was
pulled down over her brows, and a smile, the
fash 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 In depreciation OF my
worthy landlords unsuccessful operations
with a lucifer.
This light Is so pleasant, quite enough to
talk in; and that Is all we have come for"
'rhe Princess and | were both much struck
by a portrait of yours In the Academy, Mr..
Jervoise," the Princess went OXFORD Bel
Ravens, / mean. He is a cousin of mine, so
we could appreciate the excellence of the
likeness"
1T is admirable, too, as a picture" added
the Princess. "We were both delighted"
was delighted with it myself, only, Of
course, | didn't say so, only observing Sc
dately:
Lord Belhaven wa a capital subject"
II hope you will think the same of Prince
Ferendia."
Her voice struck me as odd. 1t was full
and musical, with a delicious foreign infec-
ton, and | wondered why 1t should CRATE on
my ear so harshly.
"In fact nothing will serve the Princess
but 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 l give you? It's a long
business, isn't 1t, and an awkward time TO
choose, but"
An expressive shrug finished the sentence.
l tried not to lower my position by looking
excessively gratifed; but a commission like
this, following my hitherto solitary success,
was as exhilarating as unexpected. / knew
that if ever | did make my mark it would be
AS a painter OF portraits, but l had imagined
II necessary to make a name in some other
line first before | should be much sought aft
or. How i blessed Lord Belhayen, who had
paid OF cheaply the obligations he was I'M
der to our family by giving me the honor of
q sitting or twOl
"When can you beginY' asked the lady
abruptly.
"In about ten days time l think | shah be
at liberty | answered her, trying TO consult
my note book In the lessening light.
Ten days!' she cried. ''ImpossibleI /
want you to begin at once-to-morrow."
THAT Is, | fear, equally impossible. Ihave
several engagements and work that | should
like to clear OF first. l will do my best II
your time is pressing"
1T is, 1t Isl" she cried, with a ring OF pas
sion almost in her tone which struck me at
I re moment as odd, but which l set down to
a bit of foreign exaggeration. THE time we
have is so short. i thought you would be
glad 10 work for me. / heard you were a
rapid painter, tool How long shall you bev'
rather resented this. / 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 a POI
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 1t usually comes TO In the end. l al
ways give in myself-its the shortest way"
NAY, / am not so unreasonable" she pro-
tested. "Have / offended Mr.. Jervoise, that
he does not speak? Is he ~frowning? l wish
/ could see his face" and she turned hers to
mine In the dusk.
The gas tap that regulated the studio lights
was at my hand, and on this hint l turned 1t
on full, and then stood for the moment trans
fixed and struck speechless by the wonder
full beauty of the woman who stood smiling
before me. She had risen to shake her cloak
from her shoulders, and nov sank down
gracefully again into a soft nest Of white fur
lining, at the same moment dofing her plum
ed hat and dropping 1t ON the ground beside
her chair. / suppose she was on her way to,
or had just come from, SOME entertainment,
for she was In full dress, and wore a gown
with a 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 barbaric-looking, UNI
cut gems in a dull gold setting. But her face
how can l describe the witchery Of those
long, liquid, night-dark eyes that, as their
dusky lashes lifted slowly, shone full into
mine with a mystic sparkle In their violet
depths, while the full rose-red lips parted In
a honey-sweet smile? There was power In
the face, too, in the firm outline of the jaw,
and the molding OF the forehead, oil which
the velvet-black hair was brushed and coiled
high, leaving one soft, little delicate tendril
TO escape and curl round the tiny ear. i
don't know how long l stood gazing in stupid
wonder, while the Prince, his hand on the
back of her chair, smiled with an air OF COM
placent proprietorship, amused, no doubt, at
my open, clownish admiration. / recalled
myself and blushed and stammered some
thing, and obeying an almost impcrceptible
gesture OF those jeweled fingers, advanced
and took my place on a low seat neal the
Princess.
LET me see that stupid book" she said,
leaning toward me over the arm of her chair.
'gThere are no engagements In Ii that you
cannot tear out and give the time to me-"
The Prince yawned slightly, and turned
away 10 inspect a picture on my easel.
"Settle II between yourselves" he said. II