The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-26
CHAPTER XVIII
THE pIpTT-Dp


"Fxcellcnt excellent" was Maxey's
admiring cry.
Dr. Lamar adjusted his eyeglass to
have better look at it. The chandelier
blazod at its fullest in the front parlor.
The picture was placed ON an easel in
tho projecting window space, and all
four stood back q little way to behold
it. Miss MaXey's arm was about An
ncttc's waist, and she expressed tho 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-
tion and execution that it commanded
aud held the attention.
II don't know so much about the
technique of art as l ought, comment
cd Dr.. Lamar "but it strikes me that
you have handled your subject remark
ably well, Mrs MaXey. Notwithstand-
ing the curious, vaguc and misty atmos-
phero which you have managed to throw
about it, the picture imprcsses you as q
reality"
"That's it exactly" exclaimed Maxey.
"That is just the soul of true art. 1t is
a recreation Of nature. Iclaim that this
Is masterpiece. l shall take it to the
studio tomorrow and hang it up in a
conspicuous place"
Mrs, Maxey started.
"Oh, mol Don't do that, please"
'Why not I should like to kn0w?"
"Becausc-I would rather you did
not. ;"
Dr. Lamar turned from a COntempla-
tion Of the picture to wondering scru-
tiny Of the young wifo's features, There
was an unmistakablo scared look in her
face.
"Why, you silly little goosel" ex-
claimed Maxey, with a laugh "What
are you afraid OFF,
"Oh, I'm not afraid! Only l would
rather not have this picture put up in a
public place. 1t is better to wait until
l 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?" cues
toned Lamar grayely. 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. call it remarkable. ="
"It is remarkable" agreed Lamar.
"Whero did you get the idea, Mrs.
Maxey?"
The scared look on her face deepened,
but she forced an uneasy laugh and re-
piled:
What question! How does any
body get an original idea?"
Pure originality is a delusion, " said
the philosophic physician. 1--WE could
trace the most startling innovations if
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 to
sketch with any definite idea in mind,
or did it come to you as you wero draw
ing it?''
"Oh, the face was in my mind before
/ thought of sketching it,.
"When did you first become aware Of
its being in your mind?"
''How ridiculousp
Mrs. Maxey again laughed nervously.
DR.. Lamar's steady gaze had con-
fused her. Her glance was averted. Her
whCse appearance indicated that this
persistent questioning was extremely
distasteful to her.
Maxey and his sister naturally attrib-
uted all this wholly to her natural shy
ness.
"What arc you up to now, Eustace"
laughed MaXey. "SOme new metaphys-
ical theory, Isuppose Haven'tyou done
experimenting on my wife YETI"
Whatever his theory was, or however
great his desire for expoyment, DIR La
mar kept it to himself. He voluntarily
changed the subject by reminding them
that Miss Maxoy had promised to sing.
They went into the back room to gath
er around the piano, leaving the portrait
under the full glare of the gaslight.
Later in the evening the door softly
opened, and Lamar came in. He wanted
to see this strange picture alone and ur-
disturbed. He stood back, looking at it.
In that steady light tho ghostliko face
seemed to float as through misty space.