The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-10-04

was greatly surprised, but highly de-
lighted, to receive the pressing invita-
ton to call upon Mime. Vermandois at
10 Bonaparte street. ''Nermandois,
Vermandois?" he repeated to himself
as he threw the note on his writing ta-
BILE. 81 really do not think that | ever
met any one of that name. However,
l shall certainly call, for Jules Dupen
was never known TO miss a rendezvous
with Ia 1y! She has evidently heard
of my fame as painter and no doubt
desires to give me an order for a pic
ture."
The next day, after having dressed
himself most carefully for the occasion,
VI. Dupen called at the hour named by
Nine. Vermandois. For the time being
Mile. Clotilde had been Professionally
slowed away, but this did not prevent
her mother from feeling terribly en-
barrassed as to the proper way of open
ing the interview. 1t must also be ad-
mitted that Dupen, though a man of
the world and thoroughly accustomed
to society. felt equally i'll at ease.
Finally Nine. Vermandois began the
conversation by asking thousand par
dons of NJ. Dupen for her in1iiscretion
and disregard of the conventionalities
! in inviting him to call and ended by as
suring him that her brother-in-law,
Hector Sangerot, was the real cul-
prit, who had advised her to write the
note.
For a minute the artist looked puz-
zled, for he had never before heard of
Sangerot; but, quickly recovering his
self possession. he said gayly: "Ah. and
so 1t was Sangerot who And how is
this dear, delightful Sangerot?"
Every well, indeed, thanks. mon
sieur," replied Nine. Vermandcis, with
one of her most gracious smiles; "but,
as usual. always in n hurry. OF course,
you understand. it is a little way of his.
All his friends do.'
Eyes, 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.
"Well,' thought Nine. vermandois,
laughter, Hector told me that he was
a very serious, grave young man; on
tie contrary, he is quite gay" Then,
continuing her conversation, Nine. Ver-
mandois ventured: Il want your ad-
vice. My brother-in-law suggested
"Your brother-in-lawr' exclaimed
Dupen, thoroughly amazed.
''To be sure" replied Nine. verman-
dois. somewhat surprised at the art
ISIS oIlizzical eyDraSSior
"Ah. Sangerot. Your brother-in-law!
Yes, yes. l understand perfectly"
"a poor widow. NJ. Dupen, frequent
iy stands in need of counsel"
"Then you are widow, madame"
"Why, certainly. Didn't Sangerot
tell you? Perhaps he hadn't time"
"No, must confess" said Jules Du-
pen, bowling profoundly, that our
friend Sangerot entirely neglected this
detail-quite unimportant, however,
suppose. and in nowise connected with
| the business / have been called upon
| to treat"
Precisely the contrary. sir" said
Nine. Vermandois. "for it was only aft
er my widowhood that my troubles
began. My husbands father possessed
magnificent picture gallery"
"Ah, here we are at lastr' 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 dc
| about it,"
"They merely consented" continued
| the widow, in doleful tones betting
the occasion. ''to allow me to have 4
Greuze, a Fragonard and a series of
sketches by David"
| "But those are real treasures. ma.
damew replied Dupen enthusiastic
ally.
Then you really think, monsieur
inquired Nine. Vermandois.
| Jules Dupen was perhaps just on the
| point of saying what he really did
| think, when Clotilde, in a crisp, pinb
organdie gown and looking as fresh
and pretty as spray of eglantine, en-
tered the drawing room.
"Saprister' said the artist to him
self. Behold Greuze, n living one
and far more beautiful than anything
the master ever paintedw
The arrival of the young girl inter
rupted the conversation for few mo
ments. but Dupen was too much a
home to allow the subject to drop anC
adroitly brought the conversation bacl
to art and paintings. Nine. Verman
dois listened attentively, entranced b!
his eloquence. Sangerot was certainl!
right. the young man was perfect anC
would assuredly make his mark in tht
world. Clotilde appeared equally fas
cinated. and when she displayed he
water colors the artist enthused ovel
her masterpieces"
"You have real talent, mademoi
selle," declared Dupen, and he begaI
to explain in technical terms the par
ticular niceties of Clotilde's brush.
"Then you also paint. monsieur? !?
coyly asked Clotilde.
81 little" said Dupen, though in
wardly amazed that she had not hearC
of his fame.
"Ah, how delightful" exclaimed Clio
tide, who understood perfectly the oh
ject of the strangers visit and wh'
was already capiivated by his darl
mustache.
The interview was now at an end
and Mme. Vermandofs graciously ex
tended her hand and invited the arts
to call again. Jules Dupen had under
stood absolutely nothing and was still
puzzled to know why he had been re