Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-02-19

said. pompously. q am very busy
lust at present Indeed, l have only
Just finished picture for-er-a
patron, for which l have received a
fairly large sum, and have number
of studies in hand. But-er-l think
l may say that l shall be willing to
paint picture for you, or your IN
known client, if you prefer to put 1t
that way. But l can only do so on one
condition, Mr.. Arnheim."
and what is that condition, Mr.
Lisle?"
That your client permit any picture
he may purchase Of me to be exhibited
at the Royal Academy Exhibition"
Certainly, certainly. I'll undertake
that he shall accord that permission,
said Mr.. Arnheim.
VERY good," said Francis Lisle
And now should like to show you
some of my pictures. We have
brought a few-the best, in my judg-
ment; but there are several others, If
you would like to see them.
Leslie arose and took up a couple OF
the canvases,, and as she did so
looked at the keen, shrewd face OF the
dealer. 1t was the look with which
she had appealed to Mr.. Temple, and
it said as plainly as if she had spoken:
Spare him! oh, spare him."
Francis Lisle took one of the pic
lures from her hand, and nervously,
excitedly placed it on an empty easel
which stood ready for the purpose.
"a sea-scape, Mr.. Arnheim, . he said,
waving his hand. ct would SAVIOR OF
impertinence to point out it's merits to
you. who are so experienced and
able a critic; but l may venture to
hint that there is something in the
treatment of that sky which you will
not meet with every day"
For a moment the eminent dealers
face expressed wide, gaping aston
ishment; then it seemed to writhe as
if with the effort to suppress a burst
of laughter; but lastly it turned to an
impressive mask, and carefully evading
the anguish in Leslie's eyes, he said,
shading the view with his hand:
Remarkable; yes, very, very re
markable, Mr. Lisle.'
81 thought you would say So" said
Francis Lisle, with triumphant
glance at Leslie, who had stood with
down-cast eyes. But if you think
that worthy of notice, what do you say
to this?" and he replaced the canvas
by another. view of a cliff by
moonlight Mark the shadows, the
foam On the rocks, the birds, Mr.. Arm
helm"
Eyes, yes, yes!" said the dealer, in
kind of still voice 'Most-most
singular and admirable!"
He glanced at Leslie, and an express
sion Of pity and sympathy came into
his shrewd eyes.
'And here is another" said Francis
Lisle, catching up third picture.
"'The Wreck l spent months
months, Mr.. Arnheim-over this; and
if 1 may be permitted to say so, 1
consider it one of my masterpieces;
and he waved his hand to the fearful
daub; in kind of ecstasy.
Mr.. Arnheim stood speeches. with
what the unfortunate painter took to
be admiration, and Leslie, trembling
and pale, came forward and took the
canvas from the easel.
We've must not take up any
more of Mr.. Arnheim's time, papa"
she faltered, with an appealing glance
at the dealer.
mo, no; certainly not" responded
Msle. but it is only right that Mr..
Arnheim should have an opportunity
of judging of my work. GU may be
surprised, sir, that l am still, so to
speak, an unknown artist l may say
that the surprise is shared by myself.
But no one can be better acquainted
with the fact that fame and fortune do
not always fall to the deserving. No;
art is a lottery, and the best of us
may. alas and, too often do, only
draw blanks. But am confident that
now YOU, who have so many oppor-
tunities of directing the attention of
the world to what is most worthy of
notice in ar, have become acquainted
with my pictures, tnat-that-in
short"
He put his hand to his head and
looked around confusedly.
Eyes, yes said Nh Arnheim,
soothingly. 81 quite understand
You will hear from me. will see
my client"
Yves, certainly" cut in Francis
Lisle. II leave the whole of the
negotiations to you. I have perfect
confidence in you, MIR. Arnheim."
Mr. Arnheim bowed and assisted
Lesle's trembling hands to replace
the pictures; but the artist stopped
them by a gesture.
"Wait-wait. Leslie. I am content
to leave these works with Mr. Arm
helm. -e will like to place them in
the gallery with his other master
pieces"
he expression of Mr. Arnheim's
face at his proposition beggars de-