The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1904-08-04

NihlAO dshtu diutuhI hOhpitk0ukiNs
Never heard Of him. What's his
name? Is it in the corner?"
They both looked. but could see only
the small letters of the initials-J. s.
s.. which did not enllghten them In the
least.
Are you certain that you did not sit
for him?" asked Sir Wilfrid, still UNI
convinced.
Violet laughed. "silly old dad she
said. How could /, If didn't know
him."
"Of course not" he said, vaguely.
Sir Wilfrld looked at it again. then
went TO one of the porters.
who is this portrait byi' he asked,
pointing to the study,
Don't know. sir" said the man,
'Leastways. I'm not allowed to tell"
Sir Wllfrid grunted. win n sover-
eign be any held TO you?' he said
smiling,
Not in the least, sir" the man re-.
piled. stolidly.
Sir Wilfrid grunted again. well, is
the picture for sale?" he asked
NO. sir. Its the only one in the
gallery that isn't
They went away disappointed. Not.
however. before they had taken an
other good look at the picture.
Il have a good mind to steal it,"
Violet said, as they left
AT any rate | shall write TO the
managers about IT," said her father.
AS soon as they got home he did so;
but no good ever came it 1t. The artist
remained a mystery. Then the gallery
closed, and they practically forgot all
about II.
1t was some months afterward that
Violet was calling on Mrs. Napoleon
In Park Lane. she was introduced and
found herself sitting next to man
whose name she did not catch. There
We're few people in the rooms, and ac-
cordingly conversation became more
or less easy.
The subject drifted to artlsts-after
the theatres and such topics had been
exhausted; and she asked him why art
lists We're always so slovenly.
"Sloyenly| he said. smiling. as
that an invarlable rule"
Il have always found it So she re-
Piled.
Then expect artists have known
you better than you have known
them"
How do you meanE she asked.
well. you couldn't have seen many
artists-whereas many artists have
seen you. Now. | try to pride myself
on the fact that I am not slovenly. ]
really dislike dirt"
But are you an artist"
Sometimes | hope so--and, some
times / am told So
"Ob. am so sorry. / shall never
generallze again.
You are gencraizing even when you
say that"
She smiled amusedly.
"Do you mind If I ask your name?"
she said. I'm afraid when Mrs. Ma.
pleton introduced you that l didn't
quite catch IT,"
"Stames,' he replied. quite I'M
known to you. of course. In fact. IL
you told me 7 was not an artist, could
not contradict you"
Where do You exhibitT' she said.
She noticed that the blood flushed TO
his face. and in one instant her instinct
told her that IT was he who had
painted the portrait of her at the
Bohemian Gallery.
~ think l must nave seen some of
your work. she said. before he had
time TO reply. Didn't you exhibit ut
the Bohemian Gallery-'The Study of
q Beauty think you called the pic
mre" And then she IN turn flushed.
How did you know" he asked
DEDUCTIONS. You see. you had put
your initials on the picture"
Yes. that was foolish Of me-"
"WhyY"
"Becausc--well. because it was dar-
ing. when | had not obtained your
leave
But how did You do It without me
to sit for you;" she asked.
Forgive me if would rather not
say" he said.
She saw that he felt very much en-
barrasspd.
We'll. is It still not for sale" she
asked, after a moments pause.
Yes. II will never be sold"
You wouldn't sell il to me II l
offered you--well. any price for it?'
mo. Please don't ask me. I'm
afraid that couldn't"
Violet relapsed into silence. She