The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-09
A Woman's Pleasure.

! the high road 10 fame and fortune re-
marked Lord Donoghue, and when his
! loroshIp said anything II was not TO be
| contradicted, so the listeners tried 10 !ook
| interested and remember who Barry Sey-
mour was. One Of the many rising young
artists who had two pictures on the line
| in last years ACADEMY and was now 60
! ing TO paint Lord Donoghue'5 daughter.
the beautiful Alike. Barry Seymour him
| self was delighted with his good fortune.
Many a time he had ionged 10 paint that
face. the face which had more charm for
him than any other, the face which haunt
ed him so often
You really promise to sir for me-,
| You're divine" exclaimed Barry CRATE
fully.
Il know it," returned Alike surveying
her old friend with saucy air.
when shall we have the first sitting?"
Whenever you like"
Tomorrow. at 1?'
Impossible! l am going shopping with
Mrs. de Hawtris"
"Wednesday. thenT'
II leave town on Wed 1esday, but shall
be back by Saturday"
ANY day like" groaned Barry. We'll,
what about the following Monday?
Yes. will come then. And she did
late, it is true. but so charringly penitent
that Barry could not demonstrate.
You look hopelessly fashionable" he
said. Now. am going to transform you
into picturesque maiden. like this" and
he showed her rough sketch he had
made.
Lady Alike cast off her hat and cape
and calmly rearranged her hair.
THAT is better said Barry. II will
set to work.
Never had he taken more pains, and
certainly never had he succeeded so we'll
The morning flew by all too quickly. but
his model was gracious. and promised to
come every day till the portrait was fin
ished. l fear an unprecedented amount
of sittings were required, and Barry soon
found his model so fascinating that the
studio was intolerable to him without her
presence.
Alas for the builder of dreams and fan
cies! One day poor Barry could re5ain
himself no longer, and much astonished
Alike by offering himself TO her. She
was little pleased at first (women don't
often consider the feelings of their viz
tims); then the capricious young lady
grew angry at what she termed his pre-
sumption" and left the studio.
You must never speak TO me like that
again." she wrote. Il will be generous
and come for you to finish my portrait.
and then-good-by."
Two more sittings accordingly took
place, but Barry's power seemed gone.
In silence he worked away al his easel,
but Alike observed with annoyance that
he was only spelling his former ef-
fects.
81 shall only come once more" she said,
on leaving, and Barry assented.
impossible to continue.
Il can not paint today, it is useless to
try" he said at last, throwing his brush
down impatiently.
Alice came behind his chair and regard
ed her likeness critically.
You are spelling it,
Il know; but for all the world could
give 1 cannot go on
"Supposing," she said. hesitating a lit
tie, that l did what-what you asked
me TO. Would it make difference?"
Barry started up.
"Oh, don'tr' She drew away from him,
half frightened
Don't what? I've done nothing but
this is what 1 am going to do" Alike
submitted meekly, and fear another day
was lost, but after that Barry set to
work in earnest, and 1t was not long be-
fore the picture was completed. Alike
came to see it when framed and was
well satisfied with the result.
1T is beautiful, much too beautiful, to
be like me-
There was something unusual in Alixe's
tone, something Earring and unpleasant.
Barry noticed It, and saw, too, for the
first time hard lines around her mouth,
and a cold, naughty look in her eyes
He took her hand, but, to his surprise,
she drew it away.
Why. Alike, what is the matter? Are
you vexed? Is IL mustn't touch today?'"
Yes" she said. low but clearly; to
day and every day, Mr. Seymour-I-I
have changed my mind
His white face puzzled her. She did not
understand his expression and felt pet
fish.
We'll" she said, breaking the silence,
you don't seem to care much
'If l care" began Barry, passionateIy
but her silvery voice checked him.
20, don't go into herocs, I can't bear
scenes, you know; and I'm awfully
sorry"
Sorry That word from her lips, so
spoken and so meant was an insult to
him.
IF you don't wish for a scene, leave
me- for Gods saker said Barry huskily;
and he turned away and stood by the
window until Alike had left the room
struggling her dainty shoulders.
20, yes!' she said to a girl corfdante;
my picture is finished and well done. too.
I felt convinced he could do it il he set
to work in the right frame of mind. Poor
Barry! He nearly spoilt it in the middle,
but 1 managed that!'
How"
''Why, the silly fellow lost his senses"
replied Alike. glancing compiacently at
her reflection In a mirror" and when I
refused him my portrait suffered. l was
not going to let my reputation be spoit
by a daub SO IL humored him for a lit
tie. By the bye. do you remember Sir
Douglas Prooyn. and how l quarreled with
him? He is just back from abroad. and
is now rich. Aunt is going to take him
10 the academy. and l have instructed her
TO show him my portrait and watch the
effect. I hope''-but Barry sat silently
before his easel with untouched palette.
and beside him lay the shreds OF torn
canvas.-Madame.