The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-10-09
Copyright, 1904.
BY
Harper s Brothers

suit of breeding over his own failure
in art He had stolen the picture, pos
sessed with the idea that by study OF
1T he should discover the secret of its
power. He had made copies of the pic
sture and sold them in order to Supply
himself with the necessities of life, At
the end knowing himself to be dying,
he had caused the original to be re-
turned to the gallery at Petersburg. a
contribution to the conscience fund.
:, Indimans argument was more sub
tie. Granted he said, that the poor
chap was mentally irresponsible, and
that he actually did steal the picture.
But you must take into account his
colossal vanity, his monumental ego
tism. Richmond never admitted for
moment that he was a failure. ass. an
artist; there was a cabal against him.
and that accounted. for everything.
This. affair was, simply his revenge
upon his critics and detractors: he
would turn out these reproductions OF
masterpiece so perfect in their tech
nique as not to be distinguished from
their original. nor indeed from each
other. So having set the artistic world
by the ears. he would enjoy his
triumph, at first in secret and after
wards openly
But what was the picture returned
to the Hermitage
''One of these same copies-that was
the supreme sarcasm"
"The original, then-the Red Duch-
esq"
The fuel in the stove consisted OF
some strips of painted canvas" said
Indiman, gravely. vsT don't know, I
can't be sure-tl1ey We're almost con-
sumed when | shut the door,"
"An imperfect copy" 1 hazarded.
Some day We will take a trip to
the Hermitage to make sure" an
swered Indiman. Where ignorance is
bliss. etc. What do you think. Blake 2''
he continued, turning to ouisScompan-
ion.
Its all the same to me, sir" an
swered Blake, little ruefully. 1T
was a big thing, right enough. but
somehow 1 seem to have missed it all
round. Well, good night. sir, if you'll
kindly set me down at this corner
Indiman and ! enjoyed a small sup
per under Oscars watchful eye. The
night was fine and we started to walk
home. Have 1 said that Indiman had
proposed that / should move my traps
over to his house and take up my
quarters there for an indefinite period2
In exchange for services rendered, as
he put 1t, and somehow he made it
possible fer me to accept the Invita-
ton. 1t had been twenty-four hours
now since had first enjoyed the honor
of Mr.. Esper Indiman's acquaintance;
the novelty of having enough TO eat
actually enough-was already begin
ming to wear off. Man is a wonderful
creature; give him time and he; will
adjust himself to anything.
At the corner of Fifth avenue and
Twenty seventh street Indiman stopped
suddenly and picked UP small object.
1t was a latch key of the familiar
Yale lock pattern. / looked at it rather
indifferently.
Man. mani" said Indiman, with
simulated despair. Surely you are an
ineorrigibly prosaic person. A ley
does it suggest to you no possibilities
of mystery of romance
well, not without a door," 1 ans
Swered, smartly.
"Oh, is that all Tomorrow We will
go out and find door upon which
this little key may be profitablys en-
ployed. You promise to enter that
door with me?''
Il promise"
(To be continued.)