The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-03-20

" ','A1s, ''i'i W Suii itiu CnUcu DN as.
suring him that her blothcr-in-law.
Hector Sangerot. was the real cul.
prit, who had advised her to write the
nnt9.
For q minute the artiet locked f,rs-
xied. for lie had never before heard Of
Sangerot: but. quickly recovering his
self possession. he said gayiy: "Ah. and
so 1t was Sangerot who, And how is
this dear, delightful Sangerot?"
very well. indeed, thanks, mon
sieur." replied Mime. vermandois, with
o;io of her most gracious smiles: "but.
as usual. always In hurry. or course,
you understand. 1t is little way OF his.
All his friends do"
Yes, yes. understand perfectly,
madame" answered the artist, who un.
derstood nothing at all.-but. seeing his
hostess smile. he burst into a loud.
hearty laugh.
"Weli." thought Nine. vermandois,
as che listened to Dupen'e peal of
laughter, Hector told me that he was
u very serlous. grave yc3Ss man; OH
the contrary, he Is quite gay" Then,
continuing her conversation, Mime. Yer.
mandois ventured: II want your ad.
vice. My brother-in-law suggested"--
your brother-in-lawv' exclaimed
Dupen. thoroughly amazed.
Ge sure,' replied Nine. Verman-
dois. somewhat surprised at the art
lists Quizzical expression.
"Ah. Sangerot. Your brother-in-law!
Yes. yes. understand perfectly"
"a poor widow. NJ. Dupen, frequent.
ly stands In need Of counsel"
"Then you are a widow. madameT
"Why. certainly. Didn't Sangerot
tell your Perhaps ne hadn't time"
mo. mnst confess" said Jules Ou.
pen. bowling profoundly, that our
friend Sangerot entirely neglected this
detail-quite unimportant. however,
suppose, and in nowIse connected with
the business I have been called upon
to trent"
Precisely the contrary. sir" eaid
Nine. Vermandcis, "for it was only aft
er my wide Niood that my troubles
began. My husbands father possessed
a magnificent picture gallery"
"Ahs here we are at lasty' thought
the artist.
"The paintings had not yet been dis
tributed among the heirs when my
dear. darling husband died. and now
his relatives are questioning my
rights"
''It is positively shocking. madame"
exclaimed the artist sympathetically,
but thinking to himself, "Well, what in
the devil does she expect me to do
about TT.
'They merely consented" continued
the widow. in doleful tones befitting
the occasion. Ito allow me to have q
Greuze. O Fragonard and a series Of
sketches by David"
dameP' replied Dupen enthusiastic-
ally.
'Then you really think. monsieur
inquired Nine. vermandois.
Jules Dupen las perhaps just on the
point Of saying what he really did
think. when Clotilde. In a crisp. pink
organdie gown and looking as fresh
and pretty as spray OF eglantine. en-
tered the drawing room.
"Sapriste" said the artist to him
self. "Rehold a Greuze. living one
and far more beautiful than anything
the master ever paintedw
The arrival Of the young girl inter-
rupted the conversation for q few mo.
ments. but Dupen was too much at
home to allow the subject to drop and
adroitly brought the conversation back
to art and paintings. Nine. Verman-
dolls listened attentively, entranced by
his eloquence. Sangerot was certainly
right. the young man wss perfect and
would assuredly make his mark In the
world. Clotllde appeared equally fas-
cinated, and when she displayed her
water colors the artist enthused ever
her masterpieces"
"You have real talent. mademoi.
selle." declared Dupen. and he began
to explain In technical terms the par.
ticular niceties Of Clotilde's bruah.
"Then you also paint. rnonsieur2'
coyly asked Clotilde.
"a little." said Dupen, though in.
wardly amazed that she had not heard
OF his fame.
"Ah. how delightfulp' exclaimed Clio.
tide. who understood perfectly the OBJ
Ject OF the strangers visit and who
was already captivated by hIe dark
mustache.
The Interview was now at an end,
and Mime. Vermandois graciously ex-
tended her hand and invited the artist
to call again. Jules Dupen had under
stood absolutely nothing and was still
puzzled 70 know why he had been re.
Quested to call. One thing. however,
was quite clear-he had reeaiveG-a sec.
ond invitation. and az the visit would
afford him the opportunity o9 studying
the living GreuEe. which at that mo.
ment he was devouring with his eyea.
he hastensd to reply: "With the great.
est pleasure, madame. But when will
you permit me TO come againT'
Whenever you please" cordially re-
piled his hostess; FER We shall always
be glad to see YOU"
"Call again tomorrow ventured
Clotilde. with roguish twinkle in her
eyes.
o