The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-26
CHAPTER I.

THE LETTER.
An old crone stood on the top floor OF
one of New York's> stu6o buildings.
In her hand was a letter. Looking at
1T she studied the superscription care
fully, and then, with the same intent
mess, read the name on one OF the
doors before her. Hamilton Degraw
was on the one, Hamilton Degraw was
on the other. Satisfied, she gave a
quick glance around her, thrust the
deter under the door, and quickly fed.
Within, the young artist answering
ito this name sat alone, gazing at a
nearly completed picture on his easel.
HE was not painting, only musing, and
at the sound of the departing step,
which had been too hurried to be noise
less, he looked around and saw the
letter. Rising, he picked it up. gave it
a quick glance, and opened it. The
contents were astonishing.
"Win Mr.. Degraw," so it read,
''please accept the inclosed, and in re-
payment, bring paper and pencil to
391 East - street this evening at 8
O'Clock? A simple sketch is all that is
required Of him at this time. After
ward q finished picture may be or
dered. When he sees the subject Of
the sketch he viii realize why so pecu-
aiar an hour has been chosen, and why
we request promptness and exactitude.
IF Mr.. Degraw cannot come will he
send an immediate message to that ef-
fect?"
The inclosed was banknote Of no
mean value, and the name signed to
the note was, as clearly as he could
snake out, Andrea Montelli."
"Curiousw came from the young
mans lips as he finished the epistle
and unfolded the hanknote. Some
what peremptory in it's demand, but
interesting, perhaps for that very rea-
son. Shall I pursue the adventure?
The amount of this money surely
makes it worth my while, and then"
He did not finish the sentence aloud,
but his look showed that he was in one
of those moods when the prospect Of a
new or unusual experience possessed a
special attraction.
Eight o'elsckr he repeated after
few minutes, "Iwish the note had said
g." And sigbing lightly, he went back
to the picture on the easel. AS he
stands surveying it let US survey him.
Though q dissatisfied expression rests
upon his countenance (he evidently is
not pleased with his days work.,
there is that in his face which irresist-
fbly attracts the eye, and IL you look
Tong enough, the heart, so fine are his
traits and 30 full Of sympathy his
glance and smile. Handsome without
doubt, as man and artist should be,
he has that deeper charm which not
only awakens the interest but sways
the emotions, and which, when added
to such perfection: Of features as dis
tinguishes his face, makes a man
marked figure for good or evil accord
ing as the heart behind that charm is
actuated by love Of self or generous
consideration for others.
BY which is the heart Of this man
moved? We will let his future actions
tell, only promising that the bird which
sings in one window Of his studio and
the flower which blows in another, ar
que that he at least possesses gentle
tastes, while the array Of swords and
guns that gleam on a crimson back
ground above the mantel-piece betray
that the more masculine traits are not
absent from his character. Strong,
winsome and enthusiastic he appears
to US, and such as we will take him to
be, till events prove US short-sighted,
or enlarge mere prepossession in his
favor into actual and positive regard.
He is tall, and his hair and mustache
are bl2"k, his eyes gray.
The picture upon which he Is gazing
is that of young girl. Though he does
not like it, we do, and wonder il his
dissatisfaction arises from q failure
to express his ideal or from some fault
in the subject itself. 1t cannot be the
latter, for never were sweeter features
placed upon canvas or q more ideal
head presented to the admiration OF
mankind. Shrined in q golden haze it
smiles upon you with an innocent al
lurement that ought to repay any art
list for no matter how many days OF
labor or nights of restless dreams.
But Hamilton Degraw is not satisfied.
Let us see If we can discover the rea-
son for this from the words just how
ering on his lips.
"It is beautiful, it is 4 dream, but
where shall find the face seek?
would make it companion piece to
this, and would call the one Dream
and the other Reality and men would
muse upon the Dream but love the
Reality But where is there q reality
to equal this dream? I shall never
find it."
At 7.30 (aIl this occurred in the
month Of May Mr.. Degraw left his
studio and proceeded up town with his
paper and pencils.
CHAPTER II.
A REMARKABLE ADVENTURE.
The number which had been given
him 201 East street md.