The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-12-24


I'll believe''-he began, hesitating-
", for, being by nature and habit a
truthful man, le was at his wits end
for nimb1e reasons. But Mrs. Murray
came to his rescue in true wifely
fashion.
NO. she said, che is not a Cali
fornian, but he has spent some time
on the coast. Indeed, he is out there
now; he sent this on to US from Los
Angeles
st wasn't as carefully packed as 1t
might have been, commented Mr.. In
gals, putting a finger on a dent in
one corner Of the frame.
pity about that" replied Mr.. Muir
ray, who had recovered his self-pos-
session, but / think we can touch it
up bit.
Their next friend and critic ex-
claimed joyfully,
@Theo Butler? / didn't know you
knew him! But you know SO many
clever people, and never let on about
it. | met him myself in Paris last
spring. Impressionist? Oh, yes, his
things always are; but he gets more
beauty into his tones than most of tina
school"
BY this time Mr.. and Mrs. Murray
began to feel vitality interested in the
personality of Theodore e. Butler.
One Sunday not long after couple OF
artists dropped in to dinner, for though
Mr.. Murray was not of the fraternity
he was popular with many of the
younger set.
by Jovel. said one Of them as he
proWled around the library, that
impressionist bit is something new
isn't it? Looks like Buffers work.
Oh-it is? How jolly to find it here.
T always like his stuff. Why, Butler
and I were old chums out in Frisco;
| roomed next each other for awhile;
but I've lost track of him, late years.
He's been pounding out his existence
in Paris and I mine in New York.
REALTY" exclaimed Mrs. Murray
enchanted Her fbs had been repeated
so many times now that they slipped
quite smoothly off her tongue, and in
all seriousness her interest in Theo-
dore e. Butler was genuine. Her hus-
bands was as great, but was accom-
panied by a feeling of intense irrita-
ton.
who in the thunder is he anyway?'
he demanded, darkly, when they Wert
alone. Mrs. Murray laughed hysteri-
cal1y.
MAY a mercifu1 Providence protect
us from ever knowing him better
she said.
"Merciful Providence doesn't hurt
itself protecting people who lie like
trooperst" he roared.
Shall we take it DOWN." she asked
"Then everybody would want te
know what had become Of it. No; we
have got to face the music-quite one
Of us, isn't he!"
This was the state. of affairs al
Christmas time when Katherine came
he1ne for holidays.
"a new treasure, Daddy?" she
asked, nodding her head toward the
I1yinnhs.
s.Ah, MY dear, yes; it's a picture
he informed her, firm in the resolve
that he would not lie again.
Il could have guessed as much,
she laughed; "but where did you ge1
| it, and who is it by, and what is il
supposed to be. anyway %
1T was given to your father by :
friend OF his, a young art student
began Mrs. Murray.
"Henrietta!' cried her husband
stern1y, ..let us stop this nonsense
TO Katherine, at least, let us be truth
full That picture is, as your mothe'
says, signed by man, an art student
presumably OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
/ e. Butler. But
Theodore E. But1er!'' calculate,
Katherine, turning vivid crimson
and casting down her eyes.
/ II fail to understand the meanin:
of this" said Mr.. Murray, majestic
ally, glad of moments reprieve.
1.-THE meaning of what?" murmure,
Katherine. again turning toward tn
picture. Her mother walked acros
the room, took her by both shoulder
and shook her gently.
TELL us Immediately what yo1
know about him." she commanded
conscious that she was on the track O
the mystery.
The girl was half frightened by he
mothers ven emence. She felt dis
tinct1y fearful, but rallied her wit
sufficiently to say rather wickedly,
/ II he is friend Of Dads, you ough
to know all about him yourself, ar
you have one of his pictures.
i We bought the picture" said NJ
Murray with dignity: land strange q
it may seem to you, we do not kno'
all about Mr.. Butler. If you can en-
| tighten US, pray do"
well" she said, y know what Al
the world knoWs-that he is cleve
American who has lived long tim
at Paris; that he studied under Julier
and made something Of a hit at th
Salon last year"
Mrs. Murray heaved a sigh of relic
Besides" continued Katherin,
while the blush returned to he
cheeks, besides. know him; that
IL have met him, at Sally Clinton
i last summer"
II r never heard you mention him,
i said Mrs. Murray doubtfully.
Il think 1 mentioned him. sal
Katherine. But there wasn't any Us
in talking OF him because you didn
| know him"
4 Mr.. Murray eyed his daughter cur
ously.