The Virginia enterprise., 1905-02-24

mouth.
He was lost in maze of thought
when a voice in his vicinity aroused
him.
'How thoroughly peaceful that fig
ure looks. Utterly calm after terrible
strife"
A lady and gentleman were stand
ing close to him, and the former made
the remark to her companion. The
artist sighed as they moved away, and
pondered on the remark while great
desire took possession of him. Just to
be at peace. To obtain respite from
the worlds toll in some way Would
he ever gain that end? Something told
him he would, but how?
He reused himself, however, and
rose from his seat, knowing that not
yet was the time to give in, and, with
last look at the picture, turned away.
He left the gallery braced up by
his recent thoughts, ready to continue
the struggle to whatever end it lead
him, and made his way to keep his
appointment.
The dealer was stout, fussy, pomp-
GUS man, with muddy, or to use a
more polite term, olive complexion,
and cast of features which was not
generous. He glanced through his
tered the room, and played ostenta-
tiously with heavy gold watch chain
He seemed hardly TO remember his
visitor, who quickly said he was here
by appointment, did not offer him a
chair, but after pause, replied, "Ah,
yes, er-this, l believe, is the picture
you left here, and I think I may be
able to do something with it, but err
your not being very we'll known, l
cannot'- here he stopped with a
supercilious look of surprise, for his
visitor had made a remark
The dealer, while speaking, had in
dicated a largish picture which was
leaning against chair
"This is not my picture" was the
remark the artist had made
ooh, indeed, isn't it," replied the
dealer, snappishly, then what did you
leaye?"
Il left three landscapes with you
the other day. That looks like my
parcel" and his heart sank as he in
dicated a corded package which bore
signs of never having been opened.
"Oh, yes, yes," said the dealer, in
an Indifferent tone, half turning to his
table again. II am sorry, but really,
you know, We have very little sale for
that kind Of work just now, and l am
afraid it will not be of much use your
leaving them here any longer. Sorry,
Of course-hope l may be able to do
something with you on some future
occasion. have your address, think.
Good day"
A few moments later the artist
found himself in the mist and drizzle
Of the street with his pictures under
his arm.
The gloom seemed intensified, as
with curious feeling, which was half
keen disappointment and half a pain
full sort of relief-for he never really
built upon success in his inmost mind,
and the tension was now relaxed, as he
knew the worst-he put up his UNI
brella and walked along aimlessly.
Suddenly it seemed to him the sun
shone, and better aspect came over
the day, as he perceived two people
before him talking on the payemnt.
They turned toward him, and the
face of the one was simply the en-
bOdiment of the vision continually be-
fore his minds eye. Her companion
he knew as well-to-do young stock
broker who had paid her, at one time
and another, good deal of attention.
Whether it was certain half
ashamed look on the girls face, or his
noticing the well cut clothes, glossy
silk hat and gold mounted umbrella
of her companion, one could not say,
but the artist suddenly became pain
fully aware that his we'll worn great
coat was looking shabby, especially by
contrast, and that his boots bore signs
unmistakable that their owner
walked and did not use hansoms.
The thought showed itself in flush
that sprang to his face, to quickly dis
appear, however, leaving paleness
that had not been there before.
The girls greeting was not warm
one, and the stock brokers' salutation
consisted Of nod and a brief "How
dye do?"
The artist felt sudden, mad, un-
reasoning anger toward the man be-
fore him, against his well-to-do ap-
pearance, and it was with difficulty
that he forced himself to ask the girl
if she We're returning home.
"Oh, no. she replied, quickly. "Mr.
Bullace has kindly got tickets for a
matinee, and we are going there after
luncheon. The parcel looks a heavy
one"
eyes. 1t contains some pictures
which have been rejected by a dealer
this morning." with a note of defiance
in his tone, as though daring either
of them to pity him or remark in any
way on tie fact.
OH" Said the girl. There was no