Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-07-27
miscellaneous.
A PASTEL PORTRAIT.

Inc picture was charming lnert
was no denying that. Frank Harwood
stood at the window of the print store
and stared in at it as no had done every
day for the past week The execution
of the work was not faultless. Some
crudities marred it, but the ensemble was
bewtching
The face-that of girl in the first
fresh bloom of maidenhood- back
at you over one mistily draped white
shoulder. The liquid eyes were laugh
ter-lit; the slightly parted scarlet lips
had shy droop; there was little,
round dimple in the chin; the hair that
melted into the soft gown and dusty
background was a wind blown tangle OF
reddish gold,
HARDWOOD had often determined to en-
ter and make an attempt to discover the
identity Of tho original of the picture,
but his courage had always failed him.
To-day he forced himself to the accom-
plishment of his desire.
He entered the store, shutting out the
wbirling sno waakes behind him.
IFS that picture-the pastel portrait
in the window-for sale p he inquired
mo, sir" he was told.
"Oan you tell me the name Of the
original?'
II do not know it, sir. The portal,
was left here as sample to solicit
orders" a,,
"You are sure it is a portrait--noI
merely an ideal head 7"
"The artist said So"
"Give me his name and address
please y
But when the rising young lawyer
had the slip in his pocket book, and was
out again in the white Winter world,
he began to feel uncomfortably conscious
that in this particular instance he was
not acting with the discretion on which
he ordinarily prided himself. 4 .
He was tri1e troubled, too, by the
recollection of certain conversation
held with his aunt the previous evening
She was the dearest old lady in the
world, and the most generous. She had
brought young Harwood up, given hin
the best procurable education and three
years of European travel. But on one
point, the question of his probable mar
riage, she was inclined to be dictatorial
$50 you refuse to meet Mrs Fains
worth, Frank ?" she had asked.
"As a suitor--yes," he replied posi-
lively. 4HU
He was rather tired Of having BIZ
aunt assure him that he never woul'
meet another girl so beautiful, amiable
accomplished, altogether desirable a
Miss Fainsworth.
Frank" she asked, hastily as
startling possibility occurred to her, ri
there any one else I"
He hesitated. She repeated the ques
ton. He recalled the face 10 tho prin
show window. He answered trutbfully
YES he said.
"What is her name, Frank 2"
II do not know"
She looked at him sharply.
where does she live? ?"
II do not know that, either"
Frank. " she said, in low voice
"surely you have not been drinking 2
He laughed out boyshly
"No, Aunt Mary; | don't drink Blu
| am afraid am nouscnsically in love.
lie laughed again now as he recol
lectcd the wondering dismay on BIZ
aunt's face A passer by turned to lool
at him. He had reached row Of high
fat faced, d. cary, red brick houses. Il
one Of theae the artist must live.
He found the number, rang the bell
A surly woman with smudge Of 500
on her cheek opened the door.
"Mr. Vincent Brand ?" asked Har
wood.
"Thrd floor back" she returned
shortly
She disappeared, leaving him to 6n'
his way up as best he could.
Tho stairs were steep, dirty and un
carpeted A written card was naile,
on the door of the room Of "a thir,
floor back"
"'VINCEsT BRAND,
Pastel Portraits"
Harwood knocked. A voice babe biz
enter. He went in The room wa
large, bare, dreary. Some sketches wer
tackled on the walls. An easel and
chair stood in the apartment. A hand
full Of fire in tiny sheet-iroD stov
made the cold of the place more notice
able.
MIR "raBd, believe %
The occupant, an invalid with deaf
written in his hollow eyes, on his blu
veiued hands, bowed assent.