Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-03-25
FHE MISSING WILLIAMS

\ E
 4 dull London afternoon was fading
 sway into a murky twilight. One by
 sne the lamps lit up in the streets, and
 he gloom gathered in the garret iu
 Mbich Jack Chatteris sat painting.
 Presently that gentleman threw down
 Brushes and palette with a sigh. < "Thank goodness, that's six finish
 sdl I'll run down to old Broadbean
 before he shuts up shop. Then can
 huy a new pair of boots for to-mor- Bow"
 8 He laughed rather bitterly and strode xeross to the window to look out upon Ibe chimneypots of Camden Town. The prospect was not exhilarating, but it exercised a weird fascination
 snon Jack Chatteris as he stood at the #indow of his garret and rattled two halfpennies against latchkey that Eas a week behind in it's rent. X 2leam of gold shone in the western Skv behind the forest of chimneypots. aThat is the gold of her hair," sh0ught Jack.
 J A very dirty chimney stack writhad kideously in the foreground. "Thats me-" thought Jack sadly. Rand she's as far away from me as the slnset."
 # And, after all, "she' was only as far zway as Park lane. # Jack was painting her portrait, #hlch, when finished, was to be sub- aitted to the hanging committee of the Royal Academy. If they don't hang me 1 shall have b hang myself" Jack used to think |h his more Responding moments. Her father was a soap-boiling mil. aonaire.
 Jack was the son of pot-boiling artist. Therein lay the cause of his dependency, for in painting the 1ady's Aprtrait upon his canvas he had like #ise painted 1t upon his heart, and, D make matters worse, the canvas was aearly finished.
 T can't go on painting in high lights and putting them out again for many bore weeks" he unused sadly, "and
 he old lady is already beginning to Inspect me of working with dry Nush."
 This surmise was more correct than gen Jack himself dared to think. 5ady Silyertown did suspect the young Gtist of a secret hankering after her Dir daughter Moreover, she had not eed a certain wistful look in her hughter's eyes of late. H"Never mind about the portrait be. ng finished, John. It's fashionable to eaye 'em smudgy nowadays" Lady dlyertOWn had remarked to her huS- Rnd. "Pay the young man his money pd let him go. I believe our Mays biting soft on him, and I'm sure he's n love with her." s"Bosh! mother," Sir John had re. aied. May knows better. She only 9oks pensiye-hke because she's having er portrait painted" EJack Chatteris knew nothing of this enyersation as he stood gazing out at he tWinkling lamps below, but his eart grew heavy within him as he fought of the near completion of his 8cture. How could he speak of love q the daughter of Sir John SiIvertown, Millionaire.
 s'The fats in the fire," said Jack to Hmself, unconsciously quoting a fay- flte but much condensed phrase of 4r Johns.
 EIhen, mailing his pot-boilers together, e sallied forth to sell them to Broad gan, the dealer at starvation prices. .he next day came the final sitting. ie was ushered into Lady Silvertown's 
 Hardly had the servant left the room men the door opened and Miss Silver 9Wn herself approached him. Hhlss Sllyertown was pale, but out. 'ardly composed. I'll wish, MT. Chatteris," she began |lth slight catch in her throat, ''to Pank you for the pains and care you pYe bestowed upon my portrait, and I ppee you will accept this as a memory these pleasant hours" |ohe slipped small paint box into his INo words passed between them, but Hch understood the thoughts that pos Fssed the others mind. |At length Jack spoke.
 IS 1t possible" said he, half in in- arrogation.
 MISS silyertown nodded, then came q .Ihis was too much for Jack. He 'ok her unresisting in his arms. Forgive me, degf. I nave been a |leked fool to fall Tn love with you" |ou must forget mer' MISS Silvertown shook her head. l can't-I-I won'tp she sobbed. '1 P,u mamma so this morningw ea ar. ohatteris whistled under his
 ;. The old dragonr' he murmured.
 Mamma is not dragon" corrected ,'ls ,,,ss Sllvertown. 'She is quite right;
 of course,' replied Jack, whose soul | sudden became uplifted with a sSnly Joy; but I'll work like. a nigger