The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-06-09
A MATTER OF VANITY

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 i'll oil colors She
Vas in her studio when called. So
went up to it and found her enveloped
in linen apron covered with the yarie-
gated colors of her palette She was
working mt an unfinished painting, and
SO absorbed i'll it that Mt first she did
not hear mo enter When she did, she
turned quickly.
mo. it's not Meadows. I'm sorry, :"
l said sympathetionlly
"Oh, hut I'm very glad to SEQ you, E"
she answered And yen are just in
time 10 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 was sure she would be happy.
She blushcd prettily and said. "Wo
are very happy now. "
But how have you satisfied your
Conscience" | asked IL understood
you had vowed yourself to the service
of your art, "
'Oh, but | Will never give up my
work, = she protested earnestly. Jack
knows that. He wouldn't want mo to.
| think ii is 50 wrong not to use ones
gifts. Don't you2s
Certainly, and I'm glad Jack sees
that. He must be very proud of YOU =
Sho hositated, 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, y
she went ON. +" lie is going to let mo
paint his portrait, and then we shall
hang it i'll cur dining room. -
"That will be delightful, " l said.
Look, here are some sketches for
it, : said Maud, drawing cut 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, aud just then Meadows came
i'll.
Il an just admiring the studies for
the great portrait | snid genially.
All yes, they are only rough sketch
es. The thing itself will be quite differ
ent, won't it, darlin9?' ho said, with,
| imagined II shade of anxiety.
mfr Raller thinks they are excellent
likenesses, Jack, " she said happily.
He looked at me sharply, but bold
ly repeated my opinion
A fortnight on so passed before | saw
anything of Meadows or Maud, then
met Meadows He looked worried. and
when asked him after Miss Jeffries he
said shortly, II believe she ~ quite
well, thanks.
"And how is the portrait going on?"
Its not going on at all at present, F"
he answered.
How s that? Is she dissatisfied with
it?n
"No, she's not, " he said, emphasiz-
ing the pronoun.
Surely you are pleasedf" said |.
"Looll here, Raller, he said, with a
burst of confidence Chat wretched
portrait is undermining my happiness.
It's no more like me than that poster, ="
and he pointed to II flaming plaeard.
Pm not vain chap, you know but l
do bar hong handed down to posterlty
looking like criminal lunatic
"But tcan t be rs bad as that? Maud
would never DO you injustice, said.
Not Intentionally, but she swears
to the good likeness, though / can I see
how she can. When suggested 1t was
a bit unllatteflng, she sad she must
paint what she saw, and that she could
not tampcr with the truth OF art. | just
laughed and said, joking, that there
was room for q little more truth, and
then She was hunt and sad fho had no
idea that mon could be so vain.
And you left it at that
Yes, If you saw the thing you
wouldn't be surprised.
should like TO see 1t, l SAID
Come along then Maud IS out tins
afternoon, her sister told mo 80. 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,
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