The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-29

 I which he partook in the company of ths artist the chief intimiated that he was ready to give Blufort his first sitting.
 As the days passed and Blufort found 1 his work advancing. his hopes rose. He was a consummate master of his art. that he knew. The idea Of failure. al- l ways remote. ceased to enter into his 1 calculations. He determined to paint such picture of the brlgand as would 1 bring tears of gratitude to the eyes of l the original He would elevate the harsh ness, soften away that dreadful resem- l blance to the quebranta-huesos. the bone 1 breaking yulture
 l Yes thought Rlufort, T will paint 1 him as he coneeves himself to me- l He begged Don e 10 be good enough not 10 leok at the portait until t was completed
 No. senor you may rely upon my word that 1 shall not look upon vour work until it is finished the brgand replied. Then 1 will accord to it the 1 praise or blame 1t deserves" 1 The chief was a good sitter and more over, a brilliant eonversatlonalist, so that 1t Is but truth to say the artist found the time passing far more pleasantly thau he could have anticipated Meantime he worked hard at his task ] Three weeks hat .1apsed and a day or two later the picture was nearing eonl- pletion. Bufort in the current of talk. said to the chief
 And where shall il hang. senor2' he asked. Your cave
 Don c. held up his hand moving It's delicate fingers to and fro
 No, no senor. l understand that the French nation purchases your works. assure you l have no objection to placing 1t in your national gallery. though had my own pouufrx bepp rich ano4tgI, 4o aia- quire Il, l confess I should have pre- ferred my portrait 10 remain enshrlned in the land where I was born and shall one day die."
 Blufort. apparently much taken Up with his brush. made no reply.
 Tt Is pleasant Don Q. went on. when one has lived so exceptional a life as mine to imagine unborn generations paus- Ing In front of my portrait and discuss- ing some one or other of the exploits which have given me my reputaton.f
 Finally Blufort turning 10 Don e. said:
 ''Will you look upon my work, senor7 The portrait Is at last perfect" And he said 1t with a glow of warm assurance as to it's effect on the original. '
 With pleasure. senorl" Don O. rose from his seat and advanced to the easel
 After a long inspection the chief turned slowly to his companion.
 This is terribly sad" he said in a gentle, feRfetful voice, but With a marked sibilance of intonation terribly sad And just as I was beginning to have some thing of liking for you, senor.
 Blufort started back.
 Do you mean to say" he stammered and stopped. breathless, for there was a significance in the look fixed upon him.
 "Senor" resumed the chief you are a very great artist? Your reputation Is wide as the world9n
 Blufort bowed with beating heart.
 Yet even craftsmen as skilful as your- self have their occasional failures'
 "Assuredly But this is not oneY said the Frenchman huslsily and with an ef- fort
 Bring a looking glass" commanded the chief
 man hurriedly fetched one. The brgand pushed him into position beside the picture and placed himself so that his reflection in the mirror appeared close beside Bhlfats presentment of him. "Looki he said briefly And truly the nortrait was wonder ful piece of, work. By his consummate art Blufort had. while preserving the likeness, tfansmuted the cruel yuture pect into that of ascetic. The soul that gszed out ii you from the pictured eyes was soul high. pure intense. but not the soul of yIoon @ The disparity between the. nlitforesl face and the pictured one was tiaeraiit
 The artist looked and turned away. shlyering
 Have you anything 10 say. senor2"
 (contnued on Next Paee)