Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-15


famous His brother artists, without
expressing much personal affection for,
him, admitted his talent This mag
nanimity came the easier to them, be-,
cause the world had not yet discovered
how really remarkable his talent was.
One had to know something to appre-l
uiate it. He could do things in painting
that others tried, but failed to do. HeI
had faculties, perception, an inde-
pendence Of vision given to few. Ho
was not incapable Of producing work
Of genius. No doubt he was conceited:
young men of exceptional powers are apt
to be 80, and unlike lower class of vain
men are at no pains to conceal it. In
addition he had the artistic tempefa-
ment, which, lovely in itself, is rem
dered aggressive and extravagant by the
stolid hostility of convention. To make
IN end of this catalogue of his qualities
he was sensitive and high tempered. He
came of good New England stock, and
he had an income which enabled him to
pay for his board and lodging and the
rent of his studio, even when his por-
traits did not pay. But for the last year
or two they had begun to pay tolerably
well.
Olympia herself had artistic tenden-
cies, and on Darke's first introduction to
her they soon fell into a conversation
that interested both of them. He ad-
mired her because he had never before
been able to express himself to woman
so fully and fuently, and she liked him
because he had something in him and
was different from other men. Olympia's
beauty took his artistic eye and he i'm
agined himself painting her. In half an
hour he had told her of his desire to do
80. Olympia at first laughed and passed
1t over, but the topic came up again
whenever they met, and at length, as
aforesaid, she conceived the plan of hav-
ing her portrait done for Cousin Harry.
She made confdante of her mother,
and the arrangement for sittings was
made and punctually carried out. Darke
was delighted; he had never done such
good work; he had ''found himself"
He had also found what was more serious
that he was in love. But Olympia was
supposed to be the destined heir Of her
cousins fortune, the latter having no
nearer relatives, and Darke did not like
to appear in the guise of fortune hunter.
This situation, familiar in fiction and
not unknown in real life, continued un-
til the epoch of our story. The portrait,
born Of the love of art and nourished
by human love, was all but completed.
Darke had never declared himself, but
he believed that should he do so he would
have q chance Finally, with the last
sitting and possible cessation Of their
intercourse in prospect, he felt that now
or never he must take step. In the
ordinary American course of things he
should have addressed himself in the
first instance to Olympia herself But
his pride counseled him to make an at
tack upon her guardians; that is, upon
Mrs. Raven and Harry Trent. AS re-
garded the former, however, he reflected
that she was person of feeble charac-
ter, dominated both by her daughter and
by Trent, and that she would be sure, if
approached, to refer the suitor to that
gentleman. To Trent, therefore, he de-
cided to betake himself. If Trent ac-
uuiesced the posture of the affair would
be hopeful, and Darke would not be rea-
sonably obnoxious to the fortune hunt
ing charge.
At half-past ten o'clock on the morn
ing of the twenty-sixth Of February the
studio bell rang and Olympia and her
mother entered. Keppel Darke rose from
the sofa on which he had been lying and
stood before them. His face was pale,
his hair disheveled and his eyes dry and
heavy. His expression was gloomy and
distressed Owing to lack Of sleep, a
painful emotion or some other cause, he
seemed dazed and hardly to know what
he was about. He replied to Olympia's
cheerful greeting only with troubled
stare and an inarticulate murnur.
81 am afraid Mr.. Darke is not well,
my dear" said Mrs. Raven in an under
Tone In fact, the good lady thought he
had been acting as young men will some
times act during the night and was not
yet sober.
"Is anything the matter?" demanded
Olympia, coming forward to shake hands
with him, unsuspicious Of evil, at once
smiling and sympathetic. "You do
look pretty badl Have you headache?"
He did not seem to see her outstretched
hand. "Nothing is the matter" he said,
clearing his throat. "Tve had a bad
night. Imean, I've had bad news. can't
go on with the portrait this morning."
"Olympia, thing we had better 60,
said Mrs. Raven apprehensively.
But Cousin Harry's birthday is day
after tomorrow" exclaimed Olympia.
"If the portrait isn't done today, it will
be no use. Won't it do as it is?" And
she advanced to remove the veil that
hung before it.
Darke intercepted her with gesture.
NO." he said; he can't have it; he
won't want It'll"
"Not want my Portrait" Olympia
opened her eyes.
"He can't have It'll" repeated Darke,
almost savagely. "It's mine! Let him
keep you; that's enoughr"
"Why, how queerly you talk, Mr..
Darke," said Olympia, eying him grave
ly. "What has happened9 Aren't we
friendsY
"Oh, beg your pardon for being a
fool" returned the artist, inconsequent-
ly.'
Olympia stood silent a moment. II
didn't think you could be 50 absurd"
she remarked. at length, and turned