The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-13
A MATTER OF VANITY

II MAII LII VI HANlII
When heard that Maud Jeffries was
engaged to Jack Meadows, took an
early opportunity of congratulating
them both, for they were, both old
friends of mine and charming people
especially Maud. She was an artist and
Xainted very zealously i'll oil colors. She
was i'll her studio when called. So I
went up to it and found her enveloped
in linen apron covered with the varie-
gated colors of her palette. She was
working at an unfinished painting, and
SO absorbed in it that at first she did
not hear mo enter. When she did, she
turned quickly.
mo, it's not Meadows I'm sorry"
said sympathetically.
"Oh. but I'm very glad to sec you,'
she answered. "And you are just in
time to help me. Do tell me what is
wrong with this thing" and she point
ed to the canvas.
That is Meadows privilege" 1
said. offered her my good wishes and
told her l was sure she would DO happv.
She blushed prettily and said, 1--WE
are very happy now"
but how have you satisfied your
conscience:" 1 asked. 81 understood
you had vowed yourself to tho service
of your art.
oh, but I will never give up my
work." she protested earnestly. "Jack
knows that. Ho wouldn't want mo to.
L think it is so wrong not to use ones
gifts. Don't you?'
Certainly, and I'm glad Jack sees
that. He must be very proud of you.
She hesitated "I'm afraid he is not
naturally very fond of art" she said,
but hope he will soon learn to love
it.
He is really awfully good about it,,
she went on. "He is going to let mo
paint his portrait, and then we shall
hang it i'll our dining ROOM"
'That will be delightful" said.
Look, here are some sketches for
it, y said Maud, drawing out some pan
els and charcoal drawings. Don't You
think they are like him?''
recognized Meadows in spite of the
varying expressions Maude had given
him and said so at once. She was
pleased, and just then Meadows camo
in.
i am just admiring the studies for
the great portrait, (" said genially.
All, yes, they are only rough sketch
es. The thing itself will be quite differ
ent, won't it, darling?" he said, with,
1 imagined, shade of anxiety.
MIR. Raller thinks they are excellent
likenesses, jack" she said happily.
He looked at me sharply, but bold
ly repeated my opinion
a fortnight or so passed before 1 saw
anything of Meadows, or Maud, then I
met Meadows. He looked worried, and
when I asked him after Miss Jeffries ho
said shortly, 81 believe she is quite
we'll, thanks
And how is the portrait going on?''
Its not going OH at all at present.
he answered.
Flows that? Is she dissatisfied with
it?"
"No, she's not" no said emphasiz-
ing the pronoun.
Surely you arc pleased?' said /.
Look here, Raller," he said, with a
burst of confidence. "That wretched
portrait is undermining my happiness.
It's no more like me than that poster -
and he pointed to flaming placard.
I'm not vain chap, you know, but I
do bar being handed down to posterity
looking like criminal lunatic'
But it cam DO as bad as that? Maud
would never do you injustice" said.
mot Intentionally. but she swears
to the good likeness, though I can't SEQ
how she can. When suggested it was
bit unflattering, she said she must
paint what she saw, and that she could
not tamperwith the truth of art. | inst
laughed and said, joking, that there
was room for little more truth, and
then She was hurt and said she had no
idea that men could be so vain"
And you left it at that?'
Yes, if you saw the thing you
wouldn't be surprised
II should like to see it," said.
Come along then. Maud is out this
afternoon. her sister told me so. We
Will go to her studio, and you can give
me your unbiased opinion
So we went together and climbed up
to Maud's painting room. The portrait,
still wet, was OH the easel. Meadows
pointed to it in eloquent silence. was
silent too. 1t was so painfully realistic
that it verged OH caricature
well, said Meadows, could you
live i'll tho Same house with it if it were
your portrait?"
"Ono might get used to it in time,"I
answered
"Yet she is fond of you" said.
Surely if you ask her to suppress it as
personal favor
"She would only say it was my van
itv, - l, II.