The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-06-18
CHAPTER XVIII.

THN PICTURE.
Excellent, eNcellent" was Maxey's
edmiring cry.
DR.. Lamar adjusted his eyeglass to
have better lodk ut it, The chandelier
blazed at its fullest i'll 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 MaXey'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 i'll its ef-
feet, but so bold and striking in concep.
tion and execution that it commanded
and held the attention.
81 don't know so much about the
technique of art as l ought, comment.
ed DIR. Lamar, but it strikes me that
you have handldd your subject remark.
ably well, Mrs. Maxey. Notwithstand.
ing the curious vague and misty atinos-
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
recreation of nature. claim that this
is masterpiece l shall take it to the
studio tomorrow and hang it up in
conspicuous PLACE. .
Mrs. Maxey started.
"Oh, mol Don't do that, please" "
why not, should like to know"
"Because-l would rather you did
not. ="
DIR. Lamar turned from a contempla-
tion of the picture to wondering scru-
tiny of the Young wifc's features. There
was an unmistakable scared lock i'll her
face
"Why, you silly little goosel" ex-
claimed Maxey, with laugh. What
are you afraid df?n
"Oh, I'm not afraid Only would
rather not have this picture put up in a
public place. IL is better to wait until
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. call it remarkable" "
1T is remarkable, " agreed Lamar.
"Where did you get the idea, Mrs.
Maxey?"
The scared look on her face dcepened,
but she forced an uneasy laugh and re.
piled:
What question: How does any
body get an original idea?"
Pure originality is delusion, Z" said
the philosophip physician. I'VE 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 to
sketch with any definite idea III mind,
or did it come to You as you were draw.
ing its'
"oh, the fac de was in my mind before
thought OF sketching il.
"When did you first become aware of
its being in yohr mind?''
"How ridiculous"
Mrs, Maxey again laughed nervously.
DIR. Lamar's steady gaze had con-
fused her Her glance was averted. Her
whole appearance indicated that this
persistent questioning was extremely
distasteful to her
Maxey and Ills sister naturally attrib.
uted all this wholly to her natural shy.
ness.