Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-31
CHAPTER XVIII
rRro-r eY AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1894


Excellent. cxccllcnt!' was MaNey's
admiriug cry.
DR. Lamar adjusted his Cveglass to
have Il better look N it. The chandelier
blazcd ut its fullest i'll the front parlor.
The picture was placed on an easel in
the projecting window space, and all
four stood back Il little way 10 behold
il. Miss MaNcy's arm was about An
ncttc's waist, and she expressed the SEN
tinlcnt the work had awakened i'll her
by an occasional admiring squeeze.
Maxcy was simply radiant. DR.. Lamar
was impressed, hut 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 a
strong and characteristic face, some
what shadOwy and ghoStlikc in its eff
feet, hut 80 bold and striking i'll concep-
ton and execution that it commanded
and held the attention.
Il don't know 80 much about the
technique of art as l ought, " comment
ed Dr. Lamar. but it strikes me that
Won have handled Your subject remark
ably well. Mrs. MaXcy. Notwithstand-
ing the curious, vague and misty atmOs-
phcrc which Won have managed to throw
about it, the picture impresSes yOu as
reality"
That : it exactly exclaimed Maxey.
That is just the soul of true art. 1t is
a recreation of nature. claim that this
i n MASTERPIECES l shall take it to the
studio tomorrow and hang it up in
conspicuous place.
Mrs. MaXey started.
"Oh. no! Don't do that, please.
why not, should like to know"
''BecauSc-I would rather you did
not "
DR.. Lamar turned from contempla-
tion of the picture to Il wondering scru-
tiny of the Young wife's features. There
was an unmi$takablc scared look in her
face.
Why. You silly little gooser' ex-
claimed MaXcy, with n laugh, what
are You afraid Of
oh. I'm not afraid Only 1 would
rather not have this picture put up in
public place 1t is better TO wait until
l have done something more worthy"
Nonsense, " said Maxoy. This is one
of your attacks of modcsty 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
Muxcy That is why 1 think so highly
of it. 1 call II remarkable.
1T Is remarkable, agreed Lamar.
Where did you get the idea, Mrs.
Maxry:"
The scared look on her face deepened,
but She forced an uneasy laugh and re-
piled;
What a question! How does any
bosiy get an original idca:'
Pure originality IS Il dclusion, " said
the philoSophic physician. I'VE could
tr.IC, the most startling innovations if
We had the means at hand. But i'll this
case You must be able to tell when you
first SAW this face which You have put
uInn the canvas. Did You sit down to
sketch with any definite idea i'll mind,
or dill it come to You a. You We're draw
iu- liz
oh. tn. facc WAS i'll my mind before
! Thought Of shctchimg it.
When did Won first become aware of
it, lr.il:- in yNrr mind
How riCiculousT'
Mrs Maxey again laughed nervously.
DR.. Lamar's steady gaze had con-
fused her. H,r glance was averted. Her
whole appearance indicated that this
persistent questioning was extremely
di~tl>tcful IL her.
MaXcy and his sister naturally attrib-
utcd all this wholly 10 her natural shy
ness.
What are Won up 10 now, Eustace?'
laughed MaXcy. Some new metaphys-
zeal theory, suppose. Haven't you done
experimenting ON my wife YETI
Whatever his theory was, or however
great his desire for experiment, DR. La
mar kept it to himself. He voluntarily
changed the subject by reminding them
that Miss Naxey had promised to sing.
They Went into the back room 10 gath
er around the piano, leaving the portrait
under the full glare of the gaslight.
Later in the evening the door softly
Opru,d Il, and Lamar came in. He wanted
/" seq this strange picture alone and I'M
disturbed. He stood back looking at it.
In that steady light the ghostlillc face
seemed to float as through 4 misty space.