The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-08-14

suIuie, where he had gone 10 study q
choice collection Of the works OF q
foreign master. Mrs. Kerr brought
them together. lie merely glanced al
her when acknowledging the lntroduc-
tion and noted, mechanically, that she
was a little body dressed in black and
that her face was pale and her bow
stiff, and then he uncercmOniously
transferred his attention TO the pic.
lures. 1t Is doubtful if hc would ever
have thought Of her again had she not
taken 1t upon herself To address him.
"Are you an artist, Mr.--BrOwnf'
she asked from her place at his elbow,
which was thrust out at right angles
to his body, as he stood there lost in
admiration Of the painting before him.
He turned then and looked at her
with suddenly awakening interest. II
was the way she brought out his sur
name that made him do II. He won
dered why she had said ii so, and
even while assuring himself with the
rapid, accurate glances of The artist
that she was pretty In spite Of her
palcness. that her hair was soft and
blonde, her eyes fine and her clothes
perfectly fitted, he was swiftly calcu-
lating the possibility of her having con
founded him with the regiments Of the
Smiths, the Joneses and the Greens,
and at the thought hc was conscious,
for the first time in his life, of a feel
ing OF repugnance rising in his breast
against his useful, lrrcprGachablc
name. and he muttcred IN imprecation
against the fates that had dccrecd that
by It his identity should forever be cs.
tablished. II took Him an unconscon-
ably long time TO find an answer TO her
simple question.
No. he said at length mot much
of one. / daub little, that's all.
Are you?"
She cast down her eyes with an air
Of sclf-dcprecation
mo; oh, no." she said "That Is. |
daub little, too. | do heads mostly"
He looked around the studio TO see
If there was any relief In sight. Mrs.
Kerr was at the other end Of the room
engaged In earnest conversation with n
party of ladies', anu IL dawncd upon
him that his passing acquaintance.
whose name he could not remember
he was sure it wasn't Brown--was
thrown upon his hands for an inden-
mite length of time.
DO you do heads, Brown?"
she asked, reverting to the subject
w ha .Ii 4.
his prolonged inspection of the studio.
There it was agaln-that same mex
plicable hesi;ancy which reflected
more strongly than before upon that
combination of consonants and diph-
thong to which he had hitherto cheer
fully responded. He smothcrcd
groan of rebellion
NO." said he, II prefer landscapes"
4 "Oh, do your" she uttered out in
tone of surprise that could not have
been eXcelled had he told her he was
to he executed on the gibbct within
an hour for the murder of his mother.
How strange. Now I dotc on heads.
The last piece l completed was New.
ton as | conceive his facial expression
to have been when he saw the apple
fall. l am now at work on head of
Diogenes as he looked when expert
menting with the tubs. My studio is
in Unity terrace. If you care to come
around with Mrs. Kerr TO see me
shall be glad to show you what | have
done. | am thinking of entering n
piece at the next exhibition and shall
thank you for any suggestions you
may offer Oh, Mrs. Kerr is calling
me. Good-by Mr.-Brown.'
Brown had no intention of accepting
her invitation to call at the studio In
Unity terrace at the time 1t was given.
but at the end of two weeks. during
which period he had been daily turmCn.
ted by disturbing memories of petite
blonde woman in stylish black cos
tune and the veyatious manner in
which she seemed 10 catch her breath
before vcnturing TO speak the dctest.
able name of Brown, he went over Ia
see Mrs. Kerr and asked her to take
him TO call on the pretty artist.
II don't know the name of the lady
/ want TO see" he said. throwing him
self on Mrs. Kcrr's widespread mercy
But you introduced me To her over a;
the institute about n fortnight ago
Don't YOU remembers She is blond,
and runs TO heads. She hangs out il
Unity Terrace, believe"
Mrs Kerr looked at him severely
II presume" she said sharply. "tha
you refer to that pretty young widow
Mrs. Corley. Pray speak more re
spectfully Of my friends Carelcssnes,
is fault you ought TO have outgrowI
before this. She may have her OIL,
ways, but she is good little soul an,
won't have her trifed with not eve,
by you"
Heaven bless me. Mrs. Kerr" HI
calculated, fervently. II didn't meai
any offense.. She asked me to come
and IL | hadn't taken fancy to her IL
you suppose I would be wasting al
this valuable time hunting her up
But IL you don't want TO go. it's al
right. Only didn't think you'd serv
n fellow such trick
There was pleading in his eyes an
in his voice and they went, OF course.
Mrs. Corlcy was hard at work o
another head 10y that time.
I'm glad TO see you. Mr.-Brown.
she chirped out gayly. II haven
quite finished my Diogenes. I am !
doubt about one or two strong line
Can you advise me? oh, forget. 70
Inory pofhfno oho,.f booJc r,,ct -,