The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-06-28
An Afternoon Qi M. PeQ!e'S.
By CLINTON ROSS.
(Copyright,. lS00, by Clinton Ross.]

room Dun Juan Miriallcs, tho unac-
credited representative Of his Spanish
majesty, nodded approval, yot made tho
very remark Of Washington Irving. a
generation after, "No artist catches his
best look,
"No. M. Mirialles," said Mr.. poalc
"Thut muddens ne. -
"Still. | like it.. said the don. wug-
ging his head wisely. II must have my
copy in u hurry"
'lt's Keeping pace with the original,
and, indeed. is almost an original it.
self. There it Is against the wall, bo.
hind tho screen. They arc nearly alike,
arc they not2"
eyes" said tho don critically. IL
can hardly tell tho difference, / do
clare"
"Wait until they may be finished, "
Mr. Pealo interrupted irritably.
"But thoy appear almost SO now"
"Oh, yes, to you but it's tho last
touch that tells. l never know Per
haps / may not he able to put on that
last touch which leaves Il portrait liv-
ing"
Don Miriullcs smiled at this cxhibi
tion of the artistic temper and asked
how many times the artist had done
that subject.
"Let me scc---tirst in 1878, whom the
three miniatures Of tho CuStiS children
woro done in addition. and then that
bust study was made that is in tho eel
lar Since. the general has given sit
tings in 1878 and again in 1878. But
ho changes. the artist went on.
'"Thc spirit acts on tho face" said
the other sympathctically.
"Ycs." Mr.. pralr said, "und per
haps you have to see Il bit into Il mans
heart to paint him property, and tho
heart of a man of action never beats
two years alike. "
'Don't forget that in my copy, mon
sieur IsuppoSc | can t iolc the coun.
Gil to lot mo have this But | don't
know that wish it, Mino will be al
most as good.
"Iou may believe l shall do what
may" said the painter, remembering
how generous Il patron was this noble
man.
The visitor was sure that Mr.. Pcalc
certainly had and would, in view of
the fact that his Spanish ina icsty wished
to lCuk on the face of that wonderful
general Of whom the world was uow
talking.
Mr.. Peale's black servant. Burton,
brought Ill wine and cakes, when Don
Mlrlnlles' enthusiasm Increased Un-
fortunately he went on in the vein of
explanation he must act in Alnurica
through the French minister, but that
would not M always, When he return.
ed t" Madrid, hr wunld make them un-
derstand that the king of Spain should
Recognize the United States.
Now he rose and hadc Mr.. Pealo
courteous good day. Ho had IA round of
visits to make.
Alone, the painter touched tho can
non on which his subject hand rested
YES more Was TO bc dono on the face,
tut his visitor had frightened the mood.
Perhaps That last sitting would give
the Impression he lacked.
When Burton announced Miss Ron.
aid. he sighed and throw his brush
down pctulantly. For IL moment he
could See every line Of Eleanor Ronald's
charming figure Her portrait had been
labor OF such devotion AZ the artist
may give to subject appealing to his
temper.
'Well, Of course. show her here" he
said at last.
And rising, he pulled his coatsinto
some shape and ran his iingcrs,throuph
his hair
"Oh, Mr.. Pealer' said Il laughing
voice.
Yet III some way tho face did not
laugh. lie saw how serious thisdelipht-
full person was.
do be seated, he began clumsily.
But she had walked across to tho
Washington and was gazing at'ittwith
questioning eyes.
"What is ho likeT' she asked.
"Oh, don't know EvcrYbodyabaa
an opinion"
"And there il the portrait, saidaho,
smiling.
"Oh. didn't say thuti"fsaid he.
IL know. you didn't, youi ightfully
modest man, but did,
Sho turned her glopcs'with her fin
gers as she faced him.
"You told m" he woullIbotho this
afternoon" she sud. !;
"Ah, didr'
81 want to see hiIn"'
IL beg your pardon, burt am; afraid
he would not like it," ho said bluntly
"You must have seen him oftcn.I'
"Yes--yes-that isrIt it. I wish to
sec him when ho is not thinking of
duty. rHe's in town but for two days.
might go to his quarters and find he
was too busy just to meet a girl".--
'"The most charming young lady in
Philadclphia, said Tho gallant Mr..
Pealc. trying to apologize for his blunt
ness
"Oh. you needn't ay, thatr' she said
wearily. 81 am tho most miscfab bio"
Hor eyes filled witl tears Poor Mr..
Peale fidgetod.
II shall be glad, Sbut Lam fearful hs
Will say oaght ne,t-charming as yor
always are"
She lookedtat fam fixodly. And no il
some way could lot resist what he SOW
IN tho face, All. had no not studied i'll
every linet Peri .aps since hor painter
ho was oven w .aker than the others