Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-07-28

which was portrayed exactly on the |
same finger in the sketch.
ssDo you know the artist, Violet?" Sir |
Wilfrid asked, almost suspiciously.
"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 enlighten them in the |
least.
care you certain that you did not sit
for him?'' asked Sir Wilfrid, still un-
convinced.
Violet laughed. "Silly old dad" she
said. 'How could I, if I didn't know
him?"
"Of course not" he said, vaguely.
Sir Wilfrid looked at it again, then
went to one Of the porters.
.'Who is this portrait by?" he asked,
pointing to the study.
'Don't know, SIR" said the man.
''Leastways, Pm not allowed to tell"
Sir Wilfrid grunted. ''Will a sover-
eign be any held to you?" he said,
smiling.
mot in the least, sir" the man re-
piled, stolidly.
Sir Wilfrid grunted again. "Well, is
the picture for sale?" he asked.
''No, sir. It's 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.
81 have a good mind to steal it."
Violet said, as they left.
"At any rate, I 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 it. The artist
remained mystery. Then the gallery
closed, and they practically forgot all
about it.
1t was some months afterward that
Violet was calling on Mrs. Mapleton
in Park Lane. She was introduced and
| found herself sitting next to man
whose name she did not catch. There
| were few people in the rooms, and ac-
cordingly conversation became more
| or less easy.
The subject drifted to artists-after
! the theatres and such topics had been
| exhausted; and she asked him why art
lists were always so slovenly.
! "Slovenly?" he said, smiling. sIs
| that an invariable rule?"
II have always found it so,'' she re-
piled.
''Then I expect artists have known
you better than you have known
| them"
How do you mean" 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 am not slovenly. /
really dislike Dirt
"But are you an artist?"
'Sometimes I hope so-and, some
times I am told so.'
ooh, I am so sorry. I shall never
generalize again" =
"You are generalizing even when you
say that"
She smiled amused1y.
"Do you mind if I ask your name?'
she said. I'm afraid when Mrs. Ma
pleton introduced you that I didn'1
. quite catch it."
"Staines," he replied. @'Quite un
known to you, of course. In fact. il
, you told me I was not an artist, coul(
not contradict you"
, "Where do you exh1bit?7 she said.
. She noticed that the blood flushed t,
his face. and in one instant her instinc
told her that it was he who hat
: painted the portrait of her at th'
/ Bohemian Gallery.
81 think I must nave seen some o
your work." she said, before he ha,
time to reply. Didn't you exhibit a
the Bohemian Gallery-'The Study o
a Beauty think you called the pie
ture?' And then she in turn flushed.
"How did you know?' he asked.
deductions. You see, you had pu
your initials on the picture
Eyes, that was foolish of me-
"WhyT'
"Because-we11 because it was da1
e ing, when I had not obtained you
leave"
'But how did you do it without m
to sit for your she asked.
fOrSlVe me IL WOElQ fatner nc
say" he said
She saw that he felt very much en-
barrassed
!, u "Well, is it still not for sale?' s1
=, asked, after moments pause.
eyes. 1t will never be sold''
. ''You wouldn't sell it to me if
= offered you-well, any price for it?''
e ''No. Please don't ask me. L,
" afraid that I Couldn't
Violet relapsed into silence. Sb
II felt that he was inexorable. At th
< moment the hostess separated then
- A beauty's time at a reception is n,
= her own.
r. She held out her hand when sayin
# good-by to him.
i ''YOu must come and see my father
= she said. "He will be very pleased
meet you. Don't sell it." she added.
ii mo-" he replied, determinedly. "Fo
20 to tell the truth, would far soon,
If give it.''
10 A few days afterward he called; ar
10 after that followed an Invitation
RI