Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-07-29
b was some months afterward that |

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. as
that an invariable rule?'
Il 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 1 am not slovenly.
really dislike dirt"
"But are you an artist?"
Sometimes l hope so-and, some
times l am told 500
ooh, l am so sorry shall never
generalize again.
you are generalizing even when you
say that"
She smiled amusedIy.
do you mind if l ask your name?"
she said. I'm afraid when Mrs. Ma
pleton introduced you that l didn't
quite catch it,
"Staines," he replied. "Quite I'M
known to you, of course. In fact, if
you told me was not an artist, could
not contradict you"
where do you exhibit" 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.
81 think / must nave seen some of
your work." she said, before he had
time to reply. Didn't you exhibit at
the Bohemian Gallery-'The Study Of
Beauty I think you called the pic
ture?" And then she in turn flushed.
How did you know?" he asked.
deductions. You see, you had put
your initials on the picture"
eyes, that was foolish of me-"
"Why?"
"Because-well, because it was dar-
ing, when 1 had not obtained your
Leave"
But how did you do it without me
to sit for you?" she asked.
Forgive me if l would rather not
| say" he said.
She saw that he felt very much en-
| barrassed.
"Well, is it still not for sale?' she
asked, after a moments pause
Eyes. 1t will never be sold"
"You wouldn't sell it to me if 1
offered you-well any price for it?'
"NO. Please don't ask me. I'm
afraid that I couldn't
Violet relapsed into silence. She
felt that he was inexorable At this
moment the hostess separated them
A beauty's time at a reception is not
her own.
She held out her hand when saying
good-by to him.
"You must come and see my father"
she said. "He will be very pleased to
meet you. Don't sell it." she added.
mo" he replied, determinedly. For,
to tell the truth, 1 would far sooner
give it,"
A few days afterward he called; and
after that followed an invitation to
dinner. AS they sat over their nuts,
Sir Wilfrid turned to his guest.
''Tell me-" he said, chow you man.
| aged those marvellous sketches of my
daughter?'
He looked up at the picture, which
was now in his possession.
"I'd rather not" StaiIA,s replied.
81 would rather you did, Sir Wilfrid
said, smiling.
well" he said. at length. ST went
| to every place where I knew that I
| should see her, and made studies Of
every attitude and every feature; then
| took them home to improve upon with
my memory. 1 have hundreds more. I"
he added, laughingly.
"H'mr' said Sir Wilfrid. "And what
made You so fascinated with her-eh ~
Staines' face was scarlet in a
moment 'I'm not the only one who
has felt the same, SIR" he said, awk-
wardly.
you mean that you-you love herY'
Sir Wilfrid said gruffiy, but not I'M
kindly.
81 should only be afraid to tell her
So" he replied.
Sir Wilfrid lit cigar. "Well, she's in
the drawing room." he said, shortly.
you'd better so along and see whether
| she's afraid to hear it,
Another wonderful portrait of Sir
Wilfrid Lowry's only daughter was in
the Academy the following yearly
her husband.-New York Weekly.
1