Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-07-16
A MATTER OF VANITY


especially Maud. She was an artist and
painted very xealously In oil colors. She
was In her studio when called. So
went up to it and found her enveloped
In linen apron covered with the varie-
gated coloSs Of her palette. She was
working at an unfinished painting, and
30 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. -
l said sympathetically.
"Oh. but I'm very glad to zee you, -
she answered. "And you are just in
time to help me. Do tell me what Ia
wrong with this thing" and she point
cd to the canvas.
"Thpt IA Meadows privilege
said. l offered her my good wishes and
told her was sure she would be happy.
She blushed prettily and said. 1--WE
are very happy now"
But how have you satisfied your
oonsoiencef" I asked. II understood
you had vowed yourself to the service
Of your art.
"Oh, but l will never give up my
work." she protested earnestly. "Jaok
knows that. He wouldn't want me to.
! think 1t Is 80 wrong not to use ones
gifts. Don't your"
Certainly, and I'm glad jack sees
that He must be very proud Of you. "
She hesitated. "I'm afraid he Ia not
naturally very fond Of art" she said.
"but I 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" 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 him2'
recognized Meadows In spite of the
varying expressions Maude had giver
him and said SO at once. She WA
pleased. and Just then Meadows came
In.
II am Just admiring the studies fol-
the great portrait, " said genially.
"Ah. yes. they are only rough sketch
e. 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
likenesses, jack she said happily.
He looked at me sharply, but / bold
ly repeated my opinion.
A fortnight or 40 passed before saw
anything Of Meadows or Maud, then I
met Meadows. He looked worried. and
when I asked him after Miss JefYries he
said shortly. II believe she is quite
we'll. thanks.'
And how Is tho portrait going onp'
IT'S not going on at all at present, !"
he answered
"How's thatp Is she dissatisfied with
itp"
"No, she's not" no said, emphasiz-
ing the pronoun.
Surely you are pleased?" said l.
Look here, Raller," he said, with q
burst of confidence "That wretched
portrait IL undermining my happiness.
It's no more like me than that poster, :"
and no pointed to IA flaming placard.
Pm not vain chap, you know, but I
do bar being handed down to posterity
looking like criminal lunatic. +"
But 1t can't be az bad as THAR Maud
would never do you injustice" said.
mot Intentionally. but she swears
to the good likeness. though l can't see
how she can. When suggested It was
a bit unflattering. she said she must
paint what she saw, and that she could
not tamper with the truth Of art. I 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 10 vain.''
"And you left 1t at that"
Eyes. II you saw the thing you
wouldn't be surprised.
II should like to see It," said.
"Come along then. Maud il out this
afternoon. her sister told me 30. 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 tho easel. Meadows
pointed to 1t in eloquent silence. 1 was
silent too. 1t was 30 painfully realistic
that Il vereed ON carieatnre
'.Well. +" said Meadows. could Won
live In the same bouse with Il n n were
your portrait2n
Gone might yet used IN IL I'm time -
"Yet she ia fond of Won" I said
"surely If Won ask her to SUPPRESS Il az
a personal fayor',-
''she would only saw IL was nv van
ity. " he answered ploomilv "Tbere Il
nothing TO be- done. She must choose
between me and my portrait, unless''-
"ITnless what" I ASKED as he named