Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-09-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PICTTRF

admiring cry.
DR.. Lamar adjusted his eyeglass to
have better look at it. The chandelier
blazed at its fullest in the front parlor.
The picture was placed on an easel in
the projecting window space and all
four stood back a little way to behold
it. Miss Msxey's arm was about An.
nette's waist, and she expressed the sem
timent the work had awakened in her
by an occasional admiring squeeze.
Maxey was simply radiant. DR.. Lamar
was impressed, but puzzled. Mrs. Maxey
appeared both pleased and frightened
by the warmth of the reception of her
latest attempt.
1t was life size sketch in crayon of q
strong and characteristic face, some
what shadowy and ghostlike in its eff
feet, but so bold and striking in concep-
ton and execution that it commanded
and held the attention.
"I don't know so much about the
technique Of art as ought" comment
ed DR.. Lamar, "but it strikes me that
you have handled your subject remark
ably well, Mrs. Maxey. Notwithstand-
ing the curious, vague and misty atmos-
phere which you have managed to throw
about it, the picture impresses you as a
reality"
"That's it exactly exclaimed Maxey.
"That is just the soul of true art 1t is
q recreation of nature. Iclaim that this
is masterpiece. shall take it to the
studio tomorrow and hang it up in a
conspicuous place"
Mrs. Maxey started.
"Oh, no! Don't do that, please"
"Why not, should like to know?"
"Because-I would rather you did
not. "
DR.. Lamar turned from a contempla-
ton of the picture to wondering scru-
tiny of the young wife's features. There
was an unmistakable scared look in her
face.
"Why, you silly little goosew ex-
claimed Maxey, with laugh. "What
are you afraid of?'
ooh, I'm not afraid Only would
rather not have this picture put up in a
public place. 1t is better to wait until
I have done something more worthy"
Nonsense, said Maxey. ''This is one
of your attacks of modesty. You will
think better of it in the morning"
"And this is nobody's face?" ques-
toned Lamar gravely. His eyes were
still fixed on the young wife's features.
"a fancy sketch simply" returned
Maxey. "That is why think SO highly
of it. I call it remarkable. "
"It is remarkable" agreed Lamar.
"Where did you get the idea, Mrs.
Maxey?"
The scared look on her face deepened,
but she forced an uneasy laugh and re.
piled:
"What a question! How does any
body get an original idea?"
Pure originality is o delusion, " said
the philosophic physician. "We could
trace the most startling innovations il
we had the means at hand. But in this
case you must be able to tell when you
first saw this face which you have put
upon the canvas. Did you sit down tC
sketch with any definite idea in mind,
or did it come to you as you were draw
ing it?"
"Oh, the face was in my mind before
I thought of sketching it. -
"When did you first become aware ot
its being in your mind?'
"how r1dlcuiCuS!''
Mrs. Maxey again laughed nervously
DR.. Lamar's steady gaze had con
fused her. Her slance was averted. He
whole appearance indicated that thi
persistent questioning was extremel.
distasteful to her
Maxey and his sister naturally attrib
uted all this wholly to her natural shy
ness.
"What are you up to now, Eustace?'
laughed Maxey. "Some new metaphys
ical theory, suppose. Haven'tyou don
experimenting on my wife YETI"
Whatever his theory was or howeve
great his desire for experiment, DR.. La
mar kept it to himself. He voluntaril
changed the subject by reminding ther
that Miss Maxey had promised to sing
They went into the back room to gath
er around the piano. leaving the portrai
under the full glare of the gaslight.
Later in the evening the door softl
opened, and Lamar came in. He wante
to see this strange picture alone and ur
disturbed He stood back, looking at il
In that steady light the ghostlike fac
seemed to float as through a misty space