Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-01-17

admits, as everyone knows, OF no ap-
peal, and though Mrs. Rostervor de-
clined the offer. Ostensibly with scorn,
she was careful to mention its terms to
all her friends, thus becoming at once
the admiration more than ever of the
men and the hopeless envy of the wo-
men.
Of all this Claude was aware, and to
lose a chance so unique as that of Sc
curing such a peculiarly suitable sitter
for the picture he had been contemplate
ing for some time was excessively iTri-
tating. 1t was true she had never given
him to understand that she would con-
sent to sit, but, on the other hand, vari-
ous-and as he thought obvious-infer-
ences that he had drawn from time to
time from chance remarks she had let
drop had established in his mind the
conviction that her consent, though
not likely to be volunteered, was pretty
sure, if he went discreetly enough about
it, to be eventually procurable. Now
to the annoyance caused by her refusal
was added the additional annoyance Of
having to confess that he had made a
miscalculation-a thing which he
prided himself he never did.
Still even now he was loath to admit
that he had failed. He set his brains
strenuously to work to consider if there
was no possible card that he could yet
play.
And as he sat there trying to puzzle
it out, gradually, amid the curling
clouds of smoke. there came to him an
idea. He smiled.
A week passed. One afternoon Mrs
Rostervor, meeting him in Bond street
on one of her inevitable shopping eX-
petitions. asked him how the picture
was getting on.
To her surprise, and, be it said, an
noyance-for, womanlike, she wished
to imagine that her place could not
easily be filled-he answered: "Splen-
didly!"
Then you have found a model she
asked.
"Oh, yes" he answered carelessly.
"By the way, you can get a pretty good
idea of what the picture will be like
now, though, of course, it isn't finished.
have been working terribly hard at
it to make up for lost time. Will you
come around to tea and have a look at
it?"
She was interested, still wondering
how he had managed to do without her,
and came.
He turned up the light as they went
into the studio. The canvas was at the
other end, facing her. For moment
she was silent, staring.
Then, why-you-how dare you?
she said. Yes, how dare you!
The artist smiled THE Principal
Boy" was obviously no other than Mrs.
Rostrevor-it was impossible TO get
away from the likeness.
you have not used a model at all,
she gasped.
Il found one in my memory he
said, "and-my imagination
She went over to the other end of the
studio. He held lamp behind her
while she examined the canvas, stand
ing a little way of to gauge the general
effect
He stole a glance at her sideways,
and smiled. the victory was half won;
it was obvious that she admired her
self in this new, strange attire.
After ALL" she murmured, why not
why"
She went closer to the picture, bend
ing down over it, and scrptinizlng 1t IN
detail.
Suddenly she started back, her face
flushing.
But it's not tdue," she exclaimed,
somewhat incoherently, its not true;
What isn't true?" he ventured. 1t
was the first time since she had seen
the picture that he had spoken.
"Whv. that" she said, Indignantly.
She pointed to The Principal Boy S
knees. The violet tights seemed to
accentuate the very obvious knock.
81 am very sorry" he said, humbly.
you see. l did not know. 80 h-any
women are like that = -,
"Have you a pair of tights mere?
she said. The words were low, but he
caught them.
In the dressing room there are sew
eral" he said. LAS a matter OF tact'
7 have the exact costume of The Prin-
cina1 Rov.' had it made at one OF the
theatrical shops on purpose to be sure
that | got the details right.
Then
without another word she went into
tho dressing-room. The door closed
behind her with a bang. Ten minutes
later she emerged. It was living pic
IRE of The Principal Boy that ad-
-anced proudly toward him, living
picture- that is, with one exception.
There was not suspicion of imperfec-
ton about the knees.
you sect" said Mrs. Rostrevor tri-
umphantly. a..
Il humbly apologize" he said "Af-
ter all. was not wholly to blame for
the error. If one has not the original
before one. one can never be quite sure
about these details
1T would be pity not to put them
right" said Mrs. Rostrevor thought
fully.
He crossed the Rubicon.
Gould you come for a sitting to-
morrow at 11?" he said.
T-I-say 1:3O," said Mrs. Rostre-
vor.
q" he shouted passionately from
the rostrum-'I shall begin at once in
the noble work of crushing tyrants.
Then after the storm of applause ceas-
ed. he went home and tried to mash
the hired girl.-Cincinnati Enquirer.
III there's anythin' OF disloike,' said
Mr.. Dolan. its superstition.
who's got it?" asked his wife.
"Rofferty. the contractor He owes
me Sf3. an he's thot shuperstitious he
won't pay me for fear Oil have bad
mck,"-Wash.nct on Star.