Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-05-13
CHAPTER Xxi.

Between six and seven o'clock on the
next evening, an elderly man, dressed
like a gentleman farmer hastily entered
the shop Of a picture dealer, situated i'll
the West End, and asked. in a nervous,
impatient manner. to inspect some very
pretty waterc color drawings that were i'll
the window. The shOpman produced
them. Instead, however, of examining
the picture itself. the gentleman seemed
chiefly interested in the back of it. 1t
was growing dusk, and he carried the
picture to the door and carefully exam
ined the blank surface at the back. In
one corner was family inscribed in pen
Gil the word Clara"
With an exclamation of pleasure and
frightened face, he went back to the
counter, and asked the shopman for the
address of the painter. The young man
hesitated. Il beg pardon, sir" he said;
"but it is not usual to give the addresses
of the ladies and gentlemen who work
for us without their permission"
Let me see your master" said the
gentleman, sharply.
In few minutes the principal himself
came forward.
II wish to purchase all the drawings
you have by this artist, and at the same
time to be favored with her address. l
am not asking this for the qualification
of idle curiosity. The lady | believe to
be very near and dear member OF my
family, whom l have lost sight of for
several years-whom l believed to be
dead. Five days ago l was looking in
at the window of a picture dealers in
the Strand, when | saw exposed for sale
water-color painting, representing my
own cottage down in Suffolk. | have
! just such picture at home, and there
| was popularity of touch about this
one that led me to believe, wild as the
thought seemed then, that both were the
work Of one hand. | went into the shop,
and purchased the picture. l was not
deceived. Inscribed in corner at the
back was the word Clara But the
salesman could give me no information
about the artist; they had bought it
about two years ago, with several others.
ot young girl whom they had never
seen since. My nephew dined with me
that day, and l told him of the circum-
stance. He at once requested the affair
to be left In his hands. He came to nv
hotel last night to tell me that he had
inquired, and caused others to inquire, of
every likely picture dealer but had not
met with the slightest success AS this
was my last day in the city | thought
would take a look round the picture
shops myself. l have been about all
day, and was just about to give up nv
search in despair when | caught sight
of these. l thought they looked like her
work, and, sure enough, here is her sig
nature in the corner. Yet, stay a mo-
ment; to make assurance doubly sure. I
will show you her likeness, painted some
six years ago. You will be then able to
tell me whether it is the same"
He produced the identical miniature
that SIlas had found in Little Rcthle-
hem, and which, it will be remembered
he had left in pocket of the clothes
deposited with Mr.. Jonathan Rodwell.
The shopkeeper hesitated no longer,
but at once handed over to him the re-.
quired address, The gentleman purcbos-
ed the pictures at very handsome price
got into a cab that the shop bow had
fetched for him, and drove AWAY in
the direction of the northwest
He arrived at Mrs. Wilson's about 8
o'clock, and knocked at the door. To
his inquiries, the servant replied. Miss
Clara has gone with missis to the plav-
house; and | do not expect she will be
home until late"
Does she frequent places of amuse-
ment much? Is she often out of an
EVENING""
'Oh, dear no; this is the first time 7
have ever known her to go; she is never
out late"
How unfortunate! But l must see