Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-06-25

utT own SEX, tHouSh 'ii'N"' w WV
smallest fault, admitted that she de-
served her reputation.
According to report, she had been en-
gagged as many times ms she had seen
seasons--whieh We're three. Whether
II was true or no, even Sir Wilfrid
could not have said. But society
beauty must ut least be reputed to be
engaged, otherwise her beauty becomes
thing of question, and 1t Is satisfac-
tory that such an effort to maintain n
reputation need not be brought about
by ones own actions.
The fact remained, however, that
she was not married, and If her father
were asked for the truth of any of
these matters-or even congratulated
upon them-he replied: "Nioet knows
more about it than l do; In that she
probably knows that there's no truth
In it-whereas l don't know that it's
true" And at that complicated an.
swer people smiled, when they under
stood it.
years ana voiis sf h hsd grown grow to ool,
upon her father as a chaperon. He
devoted his whole time to her, taking
her everywhere, and denying her moth
ing.
Il want to 90 and see that exhibition
of sketches at the Bohemian Gallery"
Violet said to her father one morning
at breakfast.
why" he asked, curiously. He
knew that there must be some espc
cial reason-there always was except
to the unavoidable invitations. 81
don't suppose it's worth SEEING he
added. NO well-known men exhibit
at that gallery. They're all strugglers"
Every mans struggles are original
in way" she said, thoughtfully
Moreover. have heard that there is
picture there, very much like me
and want to see it,"
Sir Wilfrid smiled. "Now I under
stand" he said. "Of course we will
go. II It's good, I'll buy 1t, and If It's
bad-well, I'll buy it all the same and
burn it, and he looked at her admir-.
ingly.
He often paid her compliments like
that.
II don't know who it's by she said
smiling at him in return.
How should you?" he replied And
after breakfast they started.
At II o'clock in the morning there
were few, If any. people Mt the gal.
lery. 1t is doubtful if any one went
after lunch, for it seems the fate of the
unknown men to be cut.
Violet did not know the name of the
artist or the picture, so it was some
time before they found out the paint.
ing in question.
Sir Wilfrid discovered 1t. "Here we
are" he said-and then he uttered an
exclamation. II never saw anything
so like you in all my life" he said, en-
citedly. Ear better than that old
academician, who made you sit in his
studio for hours"
With a little cry of delighted expect
ancy. Vic let came to his side to look
at 1t.
Father" she exclaimed, "surely rs
meant for me! Look, YOU see there's
more than one Of Them Here's an
and poses; but how on earth could the
artist have painted them? Aren't they
wonderful"
"Marvelous! was all Sir Wilfrid
could say. "Marvelousv and then he
repeated 1t again.
The picture was in water colors-
the head and shoulders of a very beau
tiful girl, far more like Violet than
any photograph could have been and
1t was called "The Study Of Beauty
But this was not all. In frame
quite rs large, hanging by its side
were q set of pictures with the same
title, and the same model in almost a
dozen different attitudes. Here or,v
the back Of the head was seen: in
another the face in perfect profile.
There 1t was bending low, as over n
DOCK; and there. again, was thrown
back so that the full throat was show
Ing. Yet still further, there were cor
ners Of the paper devoted to studies of
the arms and shoulders and hands: all,
every one Of them, as like Violet as
mirror could have portrayed here.
They stood before the picture and
and could say nothing. Violet broke
the silence at last with little cry of
surprise and eagerness. One of the
hand studies showed a ring on the
fourth finger. She bent down swiftly
and looked at 1t.
"Yes. father" she said. excitedly,
"look, 1t must be meant for me-see,
even the ring is exactly the same as
mine"
She held out her hand for him to in
spect: and on the fourth finger was IL
singular ring Of pearls and diamonds,
which was portrayed exactly on the
same finger in the sketch.
do you know the artist, Violet?" Sir
Wilfrid asked, almost suspciously.
"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 lnitials-J. S.
s., which did not enlighten them in the
least.
"Are you certain that you did not sit
for him?' asked Sir Wilfrid, still I'M
convinced.
Violet laughed. "Silly old dad" she
said. How could l. If didn't know
him."
"Of course not" he said. vaguely.
Sir Wilfrid looked at 1t 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. I'm not allowed to tell"
Sir Wilfrid grunted. will 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 saleT" he asked.
mo. sir. It's the only one in the
gallery that isn't"
They went AWAY djSonnninted Not