Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-06-17
THEIR BOHEMIAN JOY

worthy OF your bruShi'
lie examined the picture again and said
emphaticaliy: slts danbi My, II looks
Ike you'd thrown your brush at the canvas
aud let the paint stay where II spattefcd-
No. you need not try TO stop me, for IN go
ing TO finish. repeat at. your picture Ia a
mere daub. Van, you're equal 10 FAR bet
work and | can't see you turning out such
things. even fox potboilcrs. without protest.
well, Fortescue." drawled Van, with ex.
ssperating ccolness, IF you're through allow
me TO SAY that the picture you revile so un.
mercifully Is the work OF my sister, who is
at the present moment standing behind you.
Allow me TO present you. Florence, MIR.
fOrtcscuc. My sister, Miss Van, who has
come to stay with me. Fortescuc.
Then smiling a little niahciously Van van
ished and The two inauspiciOusly intro.
duced were left alone.
a faithful portraiture OF Fortescue's face
az this fnoment would have made fame aud
fortune for any artist that could have paint
cd t. rs he looked al the beautiful girl be-
. fore him he realized instantly that he had
/ spoken words which he would have given his
/ all TO recall, and yet there was no escape
from them. His criticism OF the picture ap-
/ Piled with equal force 20 the girl As i; would
have 10 her brother had he painted it,
and IL would but aggravate his prcdicament
/ TO attempt 20 excuse them. And yet
I But the young lady broke the silence be-
tween them, and pat end TO his thoughts
Of an excuse.
80 you utterly condemn my poor at
tempt. Mr. fortescuet' She said. gently.
4 was a hrute" he exclaimed. impetu-
ously. Pray forget my rude criticism. You
know l thought It was Van and-and-" he
ended helpcssy.
And the faults being minc." said Miss
Florence. with little laugh, ARE not 50
I glaring. fic, Mr.. Fortescuc. has art two
standards, one for men aud another for
women No. fear my picture is as hope
less as you made it out and that / can never
hope 10 make my living by painting
You may improve with practice, or, If
YOU and that portraits or landscapes are be-
yond you, there are lots OF things you eau
u emp oy your brush on-faucy fol-dc-rois for
d, ysumcn's toilet tables, Christmas cards and
that sort OF thing, you know.
: DO you think poor painting does
= harmg" she asked, cautiously.
E. Yes. indeed, be replied. quickly forget
tang the personal nature OF the question; 1t
does harm TO the painter. vino lowers his
a art, aud 90 those who gaze GA u as we'll
Y well, Mr.. Foriescue. I viii never be
I guilty OF lowering my arr again, she said.
And lest this poor picture d6 any harm. l
- Wall send % 10 the Home for the Blind, 10 be
Is used az a Ere screen.
Fortcscuc. almost confident that she was
. laughing at him. looked up sharply, hut her
> innocent blue eyes were raiscd 10 has so con.
III h3ingy hc thought he must be mistaken
-e Then. dropping the subject of the con-
- dcmned picture. she began 20 talk 80 enter
talnugiy Of experiences IN Paris studios
e usth which Fortescue was also familiar. that
- which Van returned ne found tilo pair he had
2. expected Co see al dagger's points chatting
like old friends.
- Fortcscue stayed 10 tea that night, lit
l. tie bohemian meal served 10 the studio. a
ar which Miss Florence presided With muci
grace.
&c IL was the first Of many meals which h'
IN took with ihem, sometimes giving htti
feast in has own apartments. which wer
close los. F0rtcscue seemed 90 be a. happy
u go-.ucky 10 his manner OF living as the ans
c. sometimes painting icvcrisAiy Tor dayr 90
r. gcthcr, only 10 draw the brush over ;he car
vas and obitorate the images he had create
u because they did not come up 20 his ideal.
e. Occasionally he would boast Of selling
III picture and would Sen invite his two friend
-, over 20 an impromptu ietc only Ia be rounC
&C ly scoldcd 10y Miss Fortescue Tor hIs eXtra'
s. agance.
IL But am not entirely dependent upo
nv work" he declared. protestiugly. ait'
such a scolding one day. "and a. for extrav
gance you are not the one 20 talk. Ito
often have | seen YOU empty your pure
Lady Bountiul, among the little aven'
~ waiisy"
- Mistaken identity" said Miss Florenc
-. coolly, I'm no: the only woman with shor
ng light curls IN the city"
a. "Ihe only one in the world TO me
10 murmured Fortescue, softly, SO that on
4" she could hear; and there and then,
le- Van conveniently removed himself 20 Il
l1s of easel, in few earnest, manly words te
"a tescue asked her TO be his wife
:, IF you viii only marry me. Floren'
he dearest, you viii be a constant insprati
we 10 me in my work. believe could paint
nm great picture with you for my beautii
are NJ" ..Is, .A-s. e.. r-..,,,, ho,;.,.. >. 9,
of she. slowly and solemnly, i would aim,
be willing TO marry you Besides, as I
:; wife OF the rising young artist John Fort
cue, ] would not have 70 paint 'fOlde-ro.s
III ladies' dresses, Christmas cards and all tn
in YOU know for my living" Then she bu
t, into such peal of silvery laughter Il
Van, in his distant corner. turned TO ST
the at her.
to Florence Van Middlesworth, you're
Ter fraud" said her lover, cycling her with
attempt at severity.
ma "John Fortescue Holiday, you are
20 other" returned Miss Florence. trying
10 evade his arm, which would slip round
waist.
ing How long have you knOwn." he
I'M manded.
al 'swell," replied his prisoner, "the very
VI after first met you had letter fr
In Cousin Fan warming me 20 be on the 10