Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-05-25
CHAPTER l.

lht lEh'
( An old crono stood on tho top floor Of
one of New Ior;'s studio buildings.
In her hand was Il letter Looking at
1t she studied the Superscription care
fully, and then, with the same intent
ness, read the name on one of the
doors before her. Hamilton Degraw
was OH the one, Hamilton Dcgraw was
on the other. Satisfied, she gave a
quick glance around her, thrust the
letter under the door. and quickly fled.
Within. the young artist answering
to this name sat alone, gazing at 4
nearly completed picture Oh his easel
He was not painting, only musing, and
at the sound of the departing step,
which had been TOO hurried to be noise
less, he looked around and saw the
letter. Rising, he picked it up, gave it
quick glance, and opened It, The
contents We're astonishing.
"Will Mr.. Degraw.' so it read,
"please accept the incloscd, and in re-
payment, bring paper and pencil to
391 East street this evening at s
o'clock? A simple sketch is all that is
required of him at this time. After
ward finished picture may be or
dercd. When he sees the subject of
tile sketch he will realize why so pecu-
liar an hour has been chosen, and why
We request promptness and cyactitudc.
"If Mr.. Dcgraw cannot come will he
;p,,, Il lto+n 10 thnt Of
fect?"
The incloscd was q banknote Of no
mean value, and the name signed to
the note was, as clearly as he could
make out, andrea Montclli."
Curious" came from the young
mans lips as he finished the cpistlc
and unfolded the banknotc. Some
what pcrcmptory in its demand, but
Interesting. perhaps for that very rca-
son. Shall l pursue the adventure?
The amount of this money surely
makes it worth my while, and thcn---'
He did not finish the sentence aloud,
but his look showed that he was in one
Of those moods when the prospect Of
ucW vi UNUSUAL IAiINN IoDSNHENh a
special attraction.
Eight o'clock he repeated after a
few minutes, Il wish the note had said
G." And signing lightly, he went hack
to the picture on the easel. AS he
stands surveying it let us survey him.
Though dissatisfied expression rests
upon his countenanco Che evidently is
not pleased with his days work.,
there Is that in his face which irresst-
IDLY attracts the eye and If you look
long enough, the heart. so fine are his
traits and so full of sympathy his
glance and smile. Handsome without
doubt, as man and artist should be,
he has that deeper charm which not
only awallens the interest but sways
the emotions, and which, when added
to such perfection Of features as dis
tinguShes his face. makes man
marked figure for good or evil accord
ing as the heart behind that charm is
actuated by love Of self or Il generous
consideration for others.
BY which is the heart Of this man
moved? We will let his future actions
tell, only promising that the bird which
sings in one window of his studio and
the flower which blows in another, ar
que that he at least possesses gentle
tastes. while the array OF swords and
guns that glCam on crimson back
ground above the mantel-piece betray
In tvoi+c mot
absent from his character. Strong.
winsCme and enthusiastic he appears
to us, and such rs we will take him to
be, till events prove us short-sightcd,
or enlarge mere propossessi0n in his
favor into actual and positive rcgar"
He is tail. ana his hair and mnstachc
are black, his eyes gray.
The picture upon which he is gazing
IS that of q young girl Though he does
not like it, we do, and wonder if his
dissatisfaction arises from failure
to express his ideal or from some fault
in the subject Itself. 1t cannot be the
latter. for never were swcctor features
placed upon canvas or more ideal
head presented to the admiration OF
mankind. Shrincd in a golden haze 1t
smiles upon you with IN innocent al
luremcnt that ought to repay any art
list for no matter how many days OF
labor or nights Of restless dreams.
But Hamilton DCgraw is not satisfied.
Let lis see if we can discover the rca-
son for this from tic words just hoy
ernG on his lips.
at is beautiful, It is Il dream but
where shall ! find the face ! seek? |
would make il Il companion piece to
this, and | would call the one Dream
ana the other Reality and men would
muse upon the Dream. but love the
Reality But where is there reality
to equal this dream: | shall never
find It,"
At $50 (all this OF ,rrcd in the
month Of May Mr.. I,r "aw left his
studio and proceeded up tuwn with his
paper ard pencils,