Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-12-02
longer I look at 1t the better like

bid. but you know, the man didn't say
II again. He probably thought better
of it and made up his mind he didn't
want 1t at any price; SO it was
knocked down to me-"
well, we must never tell anyone
what we paid for 1t, or, indeed where
we got It," cautioned Mr.. Murray.
"Oh, IL anyone asks us we can just
say II is the work of a young art stud
ent we know. Mr.. Butler, and that
he gave us It,"
"And that would account Tor ou?
hanging it in a prominent place, 2oc,"
agreed Mr.. Murray, who could not UNI
derstand his own extraordinary liking
for a 50-cent picture by q n unknown.
Whereupon without more adieu aheH
put 1t up.
During the course of the nex9 2ev
days Mr.. Theodore =. Butler became
known 90 their circle u friends. en-
deed he was introduced that very
evening 60 Mr.. and Mrs. ingalls,. and
proceeded 20 take up his skcletcn-ir-
thc-ClOset career.
Very good thing" was Mp Gngalls'
'lii't dll'I EllIiy ms Nv oIlitN
nymphs. "Who Is 1t by? Butler. YOU
say" Oh, he is o Californian. isn'Q
Ac?"
Mr.. Murray looked star7leG.
"I-G believc"-he began, hcsita9inge
ly. FOR, being by nature and habit g.
truthful man. he was at his wits end
for nimble reasons. Bu9 Mrs. Murray
came to his rescue In 7rlr wifcly
fashion.
fornian, but he has spent some dime
on the coast. Indeed, he Is ont there
now he sent This on to rs from Gos
Angeles"
1T wasn't as carefully packed as 10
might have been. commented Mr.. In
gals, putting a finger on a dent 10
one corner of the frame.
pity about that replied Mr.. MrPe
ray. who had recovered his sclf-pos-
session, bat | think we can touch It
up n bit"
Their next friend and critic c1-
claimed joyfully.
"Theo Butler? | didn't know yOal
knew him But you know so many
clever people. and never let on abonQ
II. I met him myself In Paris last
spring. Imprcssionist? On. yes, his
things always are; but he gets more
beauty into his tones than most o9 that
school"
by this time Mr.. and Mrs. Murray
began 10 feel vitality Interested in the
personality of Theodore T.. Butler.
One Sunday not long after "A couple of
artists dropped in to dinner, for though
Mr.. Murray vas not of the fraternity
he was popular with many of the
younger set.
by Jovc," said one of them as he
prOwlcd around the library, that
imprcssionist bit Is something new.
isn't it, Looks like Buffers work.
Dh-it is? How jolly 10 find it here.
| always like his stuff. Why, Butler
and ! wcr" old Chums ont in Frisco,
rOom"d next each other for awhile,
but I've lost track Of him, late years.
He's been pounding out his existence
in Paris and | mine in New York"
really" exclaimed Mrs. Murray,
enchanted. Her hba had been repeated
so many times now that they slipped
quite smoothly off her tongue, and in
all seriousness her interest in ThcO-
dpre T.. 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, darby, when they were
alone, Mrs. Murray laughed hysteri-
cally.
May "A merciful Providence protect
lis from cver knowing him better"
she said.
"McrciE.,l Providence doesn't hurt
Itself Protecting people who lie like
~,roopcrs:" he rOarcd.
Shall we take II down. she asked.
Then everybosy would want to
know what had become of it. No, we
have got to face the m~uslc-q.ite one
Of MS. isn't he!"
This was tho state of affairs at
Christmas time when Katherine came
home for holidays.
"A new treasure, Daddy?' she
asked, nodIing her head toward the
uymphs.
"Ah, my dear. yes; It's a picture"
he informed her. firm in the resolve
thai he would not lie again.
II could have guessed as much"
she laughed but where did you get
II. and who Is It by, and what Is II
supposed to be. anyway"
TT was given to your father by a