The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-23
A PASTEL PORTRAIT.


nalf''
''I do not know it, sir. Tie portals
was left here as a sample to solicit ordoEs."
you are sure it Is a pOrtrait-not mere
~ an ideal heads''
1.-THE artist said so.
s'Give me his name and address, please"
But when the rising young haEEister had
the slip safe in his p0oketbo0k and was cut
again in the white wintry world he began
to feel uncomfortably conscious that in
this particular instance be was not acting
with the discretion on which he ordinarily
prided himself
He was q tride troubled, too, by the
recollection of a 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 and given him the best
proeurable education and three years Of
continental travel But on one point, the
question of his probable marriage she was
inclined, he thought, to be diotatorial.
Sc you refuse to meet Miss Eainsworth,
EFank?" she had asked
AS a sutton, yes, !" he had replied posi-
lively
Frank felt that he must see the original
Of the portrait so discretion was thrown to
the winds, and, starting on his quest, be
reached a rev of high, Fat faced. dreaEy,
red brick houses In Ons of these the artist
must live.
He found the mum Der and rang the bell.
A suqly woman, with a smudge Of SCOT on
her cheek, opened the door.
Mr.. Vincent Brandt asked 6arwood.
ssFhird hoor back, - she returned shortly.
Harv7oOd knocked. A voice babe him
enter He went in The room was large,
bare. dreary. Some sketches were tackled
on the walls. An easel and chair stood in
the center Of the apartment. A handful
of fire and a tiny sheet iron stove made the
cold of the place more noticeable.
chr. Brand, I believs?'
The occupant, an invalid with death
written in his hollow eyes, on his blue
vsined hands, bowed assent
ST enne, - said HarwOod, declining the
soAtary chair which was preferred him,
about tbs picture exhibited Ia MsrcsF's
window it is not for sRleg
mo, sir
Not at a large 6gureg"
The artist did not at once answer. he
was i'll and very poor
Not at any price, he said.
''You could not make me oopy?'
'sNo, sir. The truth of the matter Is
this: The young lacy who consented to
sit for me for that picture did out Of
her own sweet charity. She is SO beautiful
aud makes such fine study fancied her
face would bring ms orders, where one less
lovely, oven il admirable as a likeness,
would fail. I need not enumsrate to you
the reasons why it w0uld be dishenOrablo
for me to abuse her kindness
Il understand your reasons, Mr.. Brand,
and respect thsu. May give you an order
for life sized pastel from this photo
sraph?'
He had fortunately remembered having
in his pocket the picture Of a nephew that
morning received. The commission would
help the poor artist.
A light tap came to the door.
MAY I come in, Vincents" called
sweet voice.
The door opened. Frank Harwood
turned to laok into the face that had
haunted him waking and sleeping, but
thousand times fairer than the colored
orayens had reproduced it.
She half dew back at the sight Of the
stranger, but Brand called to her:
Come il, ClaiEel' And then with
youthful oandor, This gentleman was
just asking about your portrait
She bowed slightly She was all IN rich
furs and deep glowing velvet. The elegance
of her attire puzzled Frank Harwood.
II hope the picture is bringing yen
orders Vincent"
cit is indead, - he answered brightly.
'sWell, it is late. I must 60. I just ran
in to see how ysu were getting on"
He smothered in 1T OF coughing.
you have the carriagep'
mo I am on foot "
81 shall see you home, then, . the artist
said, looking troubled. This is not the
best neigh bOrbood in the world and it is
growing dark.
The fierce cough shook him again.
you shall do nothing Of the kind, 3" she
said peremptorily.
Harwood went forward, hat in hand.
"Will you do me the honor Of permitting
me to accompany your am sorry have
not a card. Ny name is Frank HARDWOOD. "
She had been listening with somewhat
naughty air. She smiled now with sudden
friendlineas.
~ shall be glad if you will come with
me - she said simply.
On their way she told him about Brand
when she had known from childhood. He
is dying, " she said 1t is hard to help
him. he is SO proudi"
The house before which she paused was
a magnificent enc.
HarwOod mustered courage to ask If he
mo, . she said gently. and then, as If
reporting, Il shall be at Brands studio
on Friday"
She ran up the steps.
Needless TO say HarwOod was IN the
painter room early on Friday afternoon.
The number Of orders he gave quite over
whelmed the artist.
She came at last, her face like roso
over her dark furs.
They met, not quite By chance, many
times and still Frank did not learn her
name. He called her Miss Claire.
One evening, when he was leaving the
studio with her he told her the story Of
how he had first happened to come there.
II fell ia love with a pastel portrait"
he said. ~ am today in love with the orig
inal But knew SO little of yeu it seems
like being in love with a spirit. Are you
going to punish nay presumption, or re-
ward my daring?"
She indicated her carriage that stood at
the curb
Set in, p she said, smiling. Il chance