Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-07-19
THE PORTRAIT OF LADY BEA-
TRICE.
From Romance.1

TRICE.
From Romance.1
n remember perfectly how it hap
pened. / received an invitation
from my old friend and fellow
artist, Stanley Harcourt, to spend
aweek with him at Harcourt Park.
n 1t was early in the season, and
only few other guests were invited.
Although my friendship with Stanly
dated back to days at Elton, had never
visited the Park, and accepted with
alacrity.
Before starting, 1 slipped into my
curiosity shop'-a bracelet of twisted
gold, with a miniature on it, surround
ed by diamonds. This out-of-the-way
corner in London, called by Stanly
''the den, y and which l had christened
''the curiosity shop" attracted us fire.
quently. Here we bought good deal
of our studio paraphernalia- effective
drapery, swords, and old armor
The bracelet, felt convinced, had a
history, although Mr.. Isaac, sole pro-
prietor of the shop, could give me no
information concerning it. He had
purchased it a few months before at the
bankrupt sale of l., the celebrated
jeweller The gold, Mr.. Isaac remarked,
was good, but the brilliants We're off
color, and the miniature of doubtful
execution. | did not agree with him
on the last point, for admired the por-
trait extremely. 1t represented man
of about eight-and-twenty, with sad,
pensive face, which reminded me of the
Kramer portrait of Burns, although it
fell little short of the ideal beauty of
that picture. From the dress, high
rolling collar and stock concluded
that it had been painted some time in
the fifties. 1t attracted me strangely
from the first, nor was / content until
/ had become the owner of it. The
sum paid was, no doubt, but fraction
of it's real value, for although Mr.. Isaac
was Jew, he would often let us have
things for mere song. Perhaps he
was wholly disinterested in these trans
actions, knowing well that we would
speak good word for him. Indeed,
we gave the little shop quite boom,
and one particular style of candle-stick
became SO popular that it was known
as "the Isaac"
I considered the bracelet treasure,
and 1 anticipated surprising Stanly
with my good fortune, at the same time
making him quite green with envy.
Arriving at my destination, 1 found
cordial welcome. Stanly made an
ideal host, while Lady Harcourt, his
mother, did the honors most gracefully.
His sister Edith I had not seen for
years, and found her charming girl
and superbly proportioned, with reddish
brown hair and that wild rose COM
plexion which seems to belong exclu-
CT ~ ,,u oh al
admiration for my American cousins.
And as for Harcourt Park, it was fas-
cinating.
The house was of gray stone, ram
bling structure which had been remod-
elled, until hardly trace of it's original
design remained. The older parts-the
tower and outer stair-case-were almost
in runs, and were covered with ivy
"YOu are to choose your room, old
fellow" said Stanly, as we were ex-
ploring the grounds. "What will you
have? Tower, time of Queen Bess
east wing, Charles II west wing,
Queen Anne; northern projection,
George I southern projection, George
III; and the rest, grand medley, prin-
cipally, Victoria in the thirty-ffth year
of her reign. You see you can choose
any period of history and your favorite
sovereign, but if you have an eye to
comfort,~I should recommend Victo-
ria."
"Isn't there haunted chamber?" 1
asked. "Such a mixture ought to de-
velop something of that sort, and am
particularly fond of ghosts. Wait a
moment" l continued, not needing my
companion, II see just what l want.
Look the three windows up there.
No! higher up-to the right, with the
stone lodges and blue hangings"
My friends face fell
"Really, Hal, am afraid it's impos-
sible 1t hasn't been occupied for years.
In fact, when the whole house was put
in repair, that room and the one next
to it were left out My mother had a
little sentiment about them, for they
belonged to my fathers favorite brother;
he is dead, you know. Still, if you
don't mind being rather uncomfortable,
it might be managed"
cit was merely whim," answered.
az was thinking what glorious view
YOU must get from the last window but
of course l shall be delighted with any
other. Pray don't give it thought
81 have no earthly objection" Stanly
continued, land l doubt if my mother
has. Your traps have been carried up
to the room next mine, but Wilson
shall move them"
When Lady Harcourt was asked, she
graciously consented, but noticed that
she seemed absent-minded all that
evening, and feared that had stirred
up unpleasant memories.
When the room was shown me,