Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-15
A WOMAN'S WAY.

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's daughter,
the beautiful Alike. Barry Seymour him
self was very delighted with his good for
tune. Many a time he had longed to paint
that face, the face which had more charm
for him than any other, the face which
haunted him SO very, very often.
"You really promise to sit for me!
You're divine!'' exclaimed Barry CRATE
fully.
II know il" returned Alike, surveying
her old friend with a saucy air.
"When shall we have the first sitting?''
whenever you like"
Tomorrow at 11?"
impossible! 1 am going shopping with
Mrs. De Hawtris."
"wednesday, them"
II leave town on Wednesday; but I
shall be back by Saturday"
"'Any day I like" groaned Barry.
"Well, what about the following Mon
day2"
eyes, I will come them" and she did,
late, it is true, but SO charmingly pcni-
tent that Barry could not demonstrate.
"You look hopelessly fashionable, " he
said. "Now l an going to transform you
into a picturesque maiden like this" and
he showed her a rough sketch he had
made.
Lady Alike cast off ner hat and cape
and calmly %rearranged her hair.
"That is BETTER" said Barry. ~ will
set to work."
Never had he taken more pains, and GER
tainly never had he succeeded SO well.
The morning flew by all too quickly, but
his model was gracious and promised to
come every day till the portrait was fin
ished. I 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
fancies! One day poor Barry could re-
strain himself no longer, and very much
astonished Alike by offering himself to
her. She was a little pleased at first
women don't often consider the feelings
of their victims. Then the capricious
young lady grew angry at what she term
ed "his presumption, and left the studio.
"You must never speak to me like that
again" she wrote. II will be generous
and come for you to finish my portrait,
and then %goodby.".
Two more sittings accordingly took
place, but Barry's power seemed gone. In
silence he worked away at his easel, but
Alike observed with annoyance that he
was only spelling his former effects.
II shall only come once more" she
said on leaving, and Barry assented.
But when she came he found it utterly
impossible to continue.
II cannot paint today. 1t Is useless to
try" he said at last, throwing his brush
down impatiently.
Alike came behind his chair and regard
ed her likeness critically.
"You are spelling it"
II know, but for all the world could
give I cannot go n.
"Supposing," she said, hesitating a lit
tie, "that 1 did what-what you asked me
to. Would it make q d~iherence9"
Barry started up.
ooh, don't!" She drew away from him
half frightened.
"Don't what9 I've done nothing, but
this is what l am going to do. Alike sub
mitted meekly, and Ifear another day was
lost, but after that Barry set to work in
earnest, and 1T was not long before the
picture was completed. Alike came to see
it when, framed and was we'll satisfied
with the result.
sit is beautiful, much too beautiful, to
be like me-"
There was something unusual in Alixe's
tone, something jarring and unpleasant.
Barry noticed it, and saw, too, for the
first time hard lines round 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 yexed? Is it mustn't touch today"
Eyes" she said low, but clearly. "To-
day and every day, Mr.. Seymour. II
have changed my mind"
His white face puzzled her. She did not
understand his expression and felt pettish.
s'Well," she said, breaking the silence,
*syou don't seem to care much"
"If I care began Barry passionately,
but her silvery voice checked him.
"Oh, don't go into heroics! Ican't bear
scenes, you know, and I'm awfully sorry"
"Sorryl' That word from her lips, SO
spoken and SO meant, was al insult to
him
ssIf Won DON'T wish for a scene, leave me,