The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-06-29
A MATTER OF VANITY

When heard that Maud Jeffries was
engaged to Jack Meadows, I 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
painted very zealously In oil colors. She
was In her studio when called. So |
went up to 1t and found her enveloped
in linen apron covered with the varie-
gated colors of her palette She was
working at an unfinished painting, and
80 absorbed in 1t that at first she did
not hear me enter. When she did, she
turned quickly.
mo, it's not Meadows. I'm sorry,"
said alphabetically
"Oh, but I'm very glad to see 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"
said. offered her my good wishes and
told her Twas sure she would be happy.
She blushed prettily and said, 1--WE
are very happy now"
"But how have you satisfied your
consciencef" 1 asked. 81 understood
you had vowed yourself to the service
of your art. T"
"Oh, but will never give up my
work." she protested earnestly. "Jack
knows that. He wouldn't want me to.
! think it is SO wrong not to use ones
gifts. Don't your
Certainly, and I'm glad jack sees
that. He must be very proud Of you. I"
She hesitated. "I'm afraid he is not
naturally very fond of art" she said,
"but / hope he will soon learn to love
1t.
HE is really awfully good about it, -
she went on. He is going to let me
paint his portrait, and then we shall
hang 1t in our dining ROOM"
''That will be delightful, y said.
Look, here are some sketches for
it, 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 came
in.
II am just admiring the studies for
the great portrait, said genially.
"Ah, yes, they are only rough sketch
es. The thing itself will be quite differ
emit, won't it, darlingP" he said, with.
imagined, shade Of anxiety.
"Mr. Raller thinks they are excellent
hkenesses, Jack, she said happily.
He looked at me sharply, but bold
ly repeated my opinion.
A fortnight or so passed before l saw
anything of Meadows or Maud, then
met Meadows. He looked worried, and
when asked him after Miss Jeffries be
said shortly, ~ believe she is quite
well, thanks
And how is the portrait going on?''
It's not going on at all at present."
he answered.
"How's that? Is she dissatisfied with
it?'
"No, she's not" he said, emphasiz-
ing the pronoun.
Surely you are pleased?" said I.
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 a flaming plaoard.
I'm not vain chap, you know, but I |
do bar being handed down to posterity
looking like criminal lunatio.'
but it cant be as bad as thatP Maud
would never do you injustice I said.
mot Intentionally, but she swears
to the good likeness, though can t see
how she can. When suggested it was
bit untiattering, she said she must i
paint what she saw, and that she could
not tamper with the truth of art. 1 just
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. y
Il 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 on the easel. Meadows
pointed to it in eloquent silence. was
silent too. 1t was SO painfully realistic
that 1t verged on caricature.
well, said Meadows, could you
live in the same house with it If it were
your portrait?''
Zone might get used to it in time, II
"Yet she is fond of you,'' I said
Surely if you ask her to suppress it as
a personal favor
She would only say it was my van
ty, :" he answered gloomily. 'There is
nothing to be done. She must choose
me and my portrait, unless
UNLESS whatp' l asked as he paused.
"You could persuade her. Tell her it
Doesn't do her justice, either of us JUS
ice. Do, there's good fellow. She has
10 end of respect for you. :"