The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-02-18

entered the sanctum.
Just the man ] wanted to see, "
said he, putting down his pen; "what
do you think of this?" aud forthwith
read:
The present exhibition of the
Royal Academy will ever stand out
prominently in the annals of British
art ns the one that introduced to the
world the greatest painter of genius
since Sir Joshua Reynolds finally laid
down his brush. This is no mere
thigh falutin," bat is simply placing
on record the consensus of opinion oil
the most competent judges in artistic
circles-the Academicinns themselves.
We refer to Mr.. Edward Hardy, whose
| Dawn of Love" has made such a SEN
sation, and is attracting such vast
crowds TO Burlington House.
'Tm astonished with the success the
/ picture has met with, though | felt il
was the best bit OF work I've ever
done, rejoined the artist. while ii
was In progress it enchanted me SO
much that 1t grew as though painted
by Divine hands. And when in its
presence the genius of painting always
appeared to guide my bush on what
ever work [ was engaged | begin a
new picture to. morrow"
81 shouldn't, old fellow; why not
take good rest?" suggested the 9th
er. Then you will have redoubled
zest for your work"
eyes, 1 think you're right" said
Hardy, after pause; "I'm feeling a
bit seedy, and ] can now run to it,
especially after this" and he threw
the letter containing the cheque across
the table to his friend.
cts all right so far as it goes, but
you might get four times that sum for
the picture before the Academy
Closes" was his comment. "Your
patron, however, is worth cultivating
"a South African millionaire baro.
net"
Indeed but l must accept his BID
money and have long been any
thing but intimate acquaintance, and
now it's inclined to be chummy ]
mustn't say it nay" laughed the
artist. ''What should l say to this,
chappie?" he went on, passing the
other letter
That you will accept the commits
sion, 1t he can wait-as you are going
away for month-those aro your or
ders, " said the critic, returning the
letters. sim going to rest myself,
and shall take you of with me to Paris
for a month.
Having agreed to so by the express
from Charing Cross the following
night. they parted till then the journ
alist TO finish his article and the pain
ter to answer his two correspondents.
1t would surpass the wit Of man to
Imagine more miserable morning.
All night long the wind hal blown as
though it meant to break its record,
and with the daylight the rain came
down In that determined manner it
assumes when it intends to continue
all day.
As the miserable hours of daylight
waned, the gale was still undImin-
lshcd. and as our travellers turned
StrandwGrd they thought the cab must
be blown into nothingness however,
1T remained intact, and they were soon
racing toward the sea in the express.
As they approached Dover the rain
ceased ana the wind dropped cousid-
erably, but there was still enough left
to Indicate rough passage.
They were soon moving toward the
gnngway TO board tie steamer The
Journalist was descending AMI the
artist about 60 follow, when sudden
blow IN t5e back cent him almost of
his lega. liz 'llv looking around, he
was surprised 10 see q young lady sit
ting In the middle OF the gangway,
and he at once assisted her ~.
MAY ! offer YOU my arm?" ne
asked.
Thank you; [ must accept, else /
shall never reach the boat I"
They were soon on board nnI the
lady sought the saloon. The artist
aud his friend paced the deck during
the passage and MS the wind dropped
the moon rose AMI the stars came ont ::
50 enjoyable became the scene that
they were sorry when they arrived Mt
Calais
IL was not till Paris was reached that
Hardy ain spoke 60 his fair nssail.
ant. As Oh " were exchanging cards
she suddenly exclaimed: ooh, there's
my father Il must introduce Won. &"
A that instant "a tall, elderly, iovial
looking man came mp, anil was intro.
ducclas SIR Henry Greet, aud the
daughter told how Hardy had saved
her from what might have been a nasty
accident.
"lt IS an unexpected pleasure TO
meet such a famous artist" said the
bnronet 'You and your FREUD must
dine with us to.night-we are no the
Hotel de PAthence, Eue Scribe.
The dinner was q Jolly affair, and ut
ITS conclusion they separated with
buoyant spirits Especially was this
the case with Hardy, upon whom Miss
Greet hal male dcoJ impression.
During the nest few daysthey met re-.
pe1tcdIy, anil ere long their friend.
ship ripenel into something which
tho artist concluded must be love.
Thcyyisitcl the Sl'ou ogalhar. an {
did all tho sights iu each o0lcr's focl.
ciy-hai eyes and cers for nothing
else but ,heir individual solves When
tue artist aud tho iouru1li1t lot thc
gay city, the latter took IT, MS n matter
OF course when he was told that the
former WAS engaged to Miss Greet.
Tho baronet AMI his family were 10
lfrv another month la p,r..