Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1893-02-16
A LAY FIGURE.

1t was ''private view" at the Acad-
emy Like all private views the place
was thronged. Surging from room to
room, the people, with their fiuttering
catalogues, were like sea dotted with
whitecaps.
In the east room picture was attract
ing considerable attention. The artist
had painted a scrub-woman stopping
work to take dram. Still on her knees,
her head thrown back, one coarse fist held
the bottle to her lips while the other
rested on pail at her side The puddles
of dirty water, the filthy rags. all the
slovenly details of the room, were repro
duced with marvellous cxactness. 1t
seemed as If the very canvas might soil
ones fingers.
In front of the painting stood group
of men and one woman-Katherine
Strong.
Probably no woman of thirty ever had
received more offers of marriage than
Katherine Strong. She lived, with her
father, in the family mansion on Wash
ington Square. She was known to be
rich-very rich. There was, however,
something so curiously repellant about
her that the most daring fortune-hunter
made his proposal by letter. 1t seemed
impossible to speak Of love to Katherine
Strong. No man had ever dreamed of it,
much less attempted it.
"How docs this sample of realism
strike you, Miss Strong2" asked one
young fellow, giving twirl to his mus
tache.
Katherine moved nearer the painting
and gazed at it in silence. She was plain,
masculine in her ugliness; each gesture
was awkward; her face seemed rough
hewn from block of granite. 1.-The
man has power" said she, briefly; "who
is he?"
Two or three were ready to answer the
question.
'Manton Howard. Haven't you met
himl He's the most unpopular man in
town; one Of those fellows who makes
disagreeable remarks. priding himself
upon his truthfulness. His pictures are
I'll in this style; realism, you know.
He'd rather paint a mud-puddle than a
lily, end he calls it being true to Ma
ture. I'll look him up, if you'd like to
meet him. Shall IL"
EYES," said Miss Strong, laconicaily.
| She was woman of few words.
The party moved down the room. Not
many of the other pictures were interest.
| ing. Katherine glanced at few, and
then signifed her intention OF going
home. Several cavaliers darted off 10
| find her carriage. The one unfortunate
left to entertain the heiress felt his cour-
age ooze from every pore. To his delight
Manton Howard appeared few steps
from them.
"Ah there is the great artist, Miss
Strong" he whispered, hurriedly. 'I'll
present him now, if you wish. Howard,
| dear boy, I'm glad to see you'll Miss
Strong-my friend, Mr.. Howard. We've
been raving about your picture, old man.
Great thing, isn't i'll"
"Do you think so2' asked Howard,
bowling to Miss Strong. The little man
who had introduced them disappeared.
mot at ALL" answered Katharine
| coolly. at interested me because il
has an idea and is well painted. No on,
would think it great"
I'm that you are mistaken. / am the
artist, and l think II great"
There was dead pause.
After a dozen years experience as nj
heiress Katharine had formed the habit
OF speaking but occasionally, and O
never talking. Young men general,
talked to her. Howard was puzzled. He
pridcd himself upon reading character
upon having no illusions, no enthusiasms
upon never losing his temper-in fact
! upor innumerable qualities. He was |