Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-03-09
THE MISSING MILLAIS

THE MISSING MILLAIS
A dull London afternoon was fading
away into a murky twilight. One by
one the lamps lit up in the streets, and
the gloom gathered in the garret In
which Jack Chatteris sat painting.
Presently that gentleman threw down
brushes and palette with sigh.
THANK goodness, that's six finish
ed! I'll run down to old Broadbean
before he shuts up shop. Then l can
buy a new pair Of boots for to-mor-
row."
He laughed rather bitterly and strobe
across to the window to look out upon
the chimneypOts of Camden Town.
The prospect was not exhilarating,
but 1t exercised weird fascination
upon Jack Chatteris as he stood at the
window of his garret and ratified two
halfpennies against a latchkey that
was a week behind in it's rent. A
gleam of gold shone in the western
sky behind the forest of chimneypots.
THAT is the gold Of her hair
thought Jack. .
A very dirty chimney stack writhed
hideously in the foreground.
That's me-" thought Jack sadly,
"and she's as far away from me as the
sunset"
And, after all, "she" WAS only as far
away as Park lane.
Jack was painting her portrait,
which, when finished, was to be sub
mitted to the hanging committee OF the
Royal Academy.
"If they don't hang me shall have
to hang myself" Jack used to think
in his more desponding moments.
Her father was a soap boiling mil.
lionaire.
Jack was the son Of a pot-boillng
artist. Therein lay the cause OF his
dependency, for In painting the lady's
portrait upon his canvas he had like
wise painted It upon his heart, and,
TO make matters worse, the canvas was
nearly finished.
II can't 20 on painting in high lights
and putting them out again for many
more weeks" he mused sadly, "and
the old lady is already beginning TO
suspect me Of working with dry
brush"
This surmise was more correct than
even Jack himself dared to think.
Lady Silvertown did suspect the young
artist Of a secret hankering after her
fair daughter. Moreover, she had not
iced certain wistful look In her
daughters eyes Of late.
Never mind about the portrait be-
ing finished, John. It's fashionable to
leave 'em smudgy Nowadays Lady
Silyertown had remarked to her hus-
band. "Pay the young man his money
and let him 20. believe our Mays
getting soft on him, and I'm sure he's
in love with her."
"Bosh! mother" Sir John had re-
piled. MAY knows better. She only
looks pensive-like because she's having
her portrait painted"
Jack Chatteris knew nothing OF this
conversation as he stood gazing out ut
the twinkling lamps below, but his
heart grew heavy within him as he
thought of the near completion of his
picture. How could he speak Of love
to the daughter Of Sir John Silvertown,
millionaire.
"The fats In the fire." said Jack to
himself, unconsciously quoting a fav-
orite but much condensed phrase of
Sir Johns.
Then, mailing his pot-boilers together,
he sailed forth to sell them to Broad
bean, the dealer at starvation prices.
The next day came the final sitting.
He was ushered into Lady Silvertown's
mOrning-room.
Hardly had the servant left the room
when the door opened and Miss Silver
I,nrcnlf OnnrnQ nha6 him
Miss Silvertown was pale, but out.
wardly composed.
IL wish, Mr.. Chatteris," she began
with slight catch In her throat, Ito
thank you for the pains and care you
have bestowed upon my portrait, and
hope you will accept this as a memory
of these pleasant hours"
She slipped small paint box into his
hand
No words passed between them, but
each understood the thoughts that pos
sessed the others mind. I'D.
At length Jack spoke.
as It possible" said he, half IN In
Miss Silvertown nodded, then came a
sob. -
This was too much for Jack. He
took her unresisting in his arms.
"Forgive me, dear. have been q
wicked fool to fall in love with you.'
You must forget me"
Miss Silvertown shook her head.
"I can't-I-I won'tr' she sobbed. II
told mamma so this morning"
Mr.. Chatteris whistled under his
breath.
"The old dragonw he murmured.
"Mamma is not dragon" corrected
Miss Silvertown. "She is quite right;
but--but-"
"Of course" replied Jack, whose soul
of a sudden became uplifted with a
mighty Joy; "but I'll work like niger
I'll become royal academician-
I'll" ..
.That's just what I told mamma,
interposed Miss Silvert0wn, with q
divine smile.
At this moment there came sound
Of footsteps in the passage. In sec.
ond Miss Silvertown's handkerchief
was In her pocket, while the voice OF
Jack Chatteris was raised In favorable
criticism of the most hopeless Of spur.
ious old masters. q
Lady Silvertown entered the room
cleared for action" as Jack afterward
aptly summed up her appearance.
Armed with the knowledge that his
May loved him, he grew weary and de-
clined battle.