Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1907-08-17
81 "
AMONG
l.! .5 4;

Scene: A West End picture gal
lery. Gerald Markham, a young man
Of thirty, is walking about in an aim
less way, engaged In the bewlldering
occupation of trying to forget. On
the previous evening he had made a
proposal of marriage TO Dorothy
Wargrave, and had been politely re-
jected.
AS he turns from one of the pic
lures, he finds himself face to face
with Dorothy and her aunt, Mrs. Ar
buthnot. He is about to pass them
with an elaborate bow, when Mrs.
Arbuthnot, who knows nothing of his
rejection, stops him.
Mrs. Arbuthnot: o Mr.. Markham,
I'm so glad we met you. There's Mrs.
Waring in the next room, and I do
so want a moments chat with her.
Would you mind taking Dorothy
round while I'm gone? Thanks, so
much. (Bustles away, beaming with
smiles.)
Gerald (after contemplating his
boots for some seconds): Very de-
pressing weather for this time of the
year, Miss Wargrave?
Dorothy: Do you think so? Why,
the sun was shining as we came in.
Gerald: Was it, indeed? / didn't
notice it. You must be sorry you
came in, now.
Dorothy: o not at all. enjoy
pictures. VIII you show me some of
the best?
GeI aid: Certainly, If you wish 1t.
This las they stop before a large
canvass Is quite masterpiece. It's
beautiful allegory of Death break
ing the chains of tired souls weary of
the world. l think it's the most sat
isfying picture I have ever
Dorothy: It's rather depressing,
isn't it?
Gerald: Do you find it so? OIam
sorry.
Dorothy: Here's a charming thing
II seems all sunshine and brightness.
Do you know what it is? Number
10.
Gerald (referring to the cata-
logue): Yes, thought so. It's a
mayRole dance of the fifteenth CEN
tury. If you look at it you will see
that the coloring is very convention
Al. The laughter of the dancers
seem to lack reality. One would say
that their merriment is forced and
hollow. Now here is a really fine
piece OF work, THE Death of Ophe-
ia"
Dorothy: o, and suppose that's
Hamlet bending over her?
Gerald: Yes. You will notice what
4 beautifully peaceful expression the
artist has given her, as If death had
brought her happiness at last. The
suggestion of tears upon Hamlet's
eyelashes is quite mastery; and the
grief of that woman in the back
ground with her face buried in her
hands. You can almost see her frame
shaking with the sobs that
Dorothy: This looks nice: Number
25. 1 like the girls face awfully.
Gerald (referring to catalogue):
o yes. They simply call it BE
trothed" here. It's rather snowy and
not very effective. Now the next pic
ture, THE Dying"
Dorothy: o, do let me look at this
one little longer, please. They look
so happy together.
Gerald; o, if it gives you any
pleasure, shall be only too delight
ed, I'm sure.
Dorothy: If you really think the
picture is poor one, I'll pass it by.
Gerald: Not on my account, please.
am sorry If l seemed to be forcing
an unwelcome opinion upon you.
Dorothy: o, hope I've done moth
ing to suggest that your opinion is
unwelcome, Mr.. Markham. 1 am
sure there is great deal in what you
say, only
Gerald: Perhaps l am little
prejudlced this morning. After all,
the contemplating of other peoples
happiness, when one is
Dorothy: Then you admit that
they look happy? That's all /
claimed for the picture.
Gerald (softening his voice a lit
tle): Yes, they look very happy.
They have reason to be. They are
betrothed.
Dorothy (speaking hurriedly)
What's this one, number 81? 1t is an
impressionist picture, I should think.
Gerald (referring to catalogue):
o yes. It's called the Garden of
Death" Some girl, crossed in love,
filled her room full of flowers, and
then laid down and died from the
poisoned atmosphere. Rather dis
nal sort of subject. isn't It?
Dorothy (shuddering): Horrid.
Let's get away from it, (Takes his
arm with an apparently unconscious
movement)
Gerald: That's funny, isn't It?
Number SO, The Christmas Ham
per-" Somebody's sent the old boy
hamper, and he's found nothing in
1t but a heap of bricks and straw
Do look at the comical way he's hold
ing the empty basket up and peering
inside it.
Dorothy (laughing): It's awfully
| clever. isn't It? l must bring auntie
round and show 1t to her. She's very
fond of anything that's really funny.
There's a big picture over there. 1t
looks rather we'll from here. / won
der what it is.
Gerald (as they walk up to IT.: o
yes! that's that celebrated picture,
1.-THE Village Bride" Magnificent
piece of work, isn't It? How the
light seems to sparkle on her face!
Dorothy: She's a very pretty girl,
too.
Gerald o, l don't know. I've met
at least one who is far prettier. Be-
sides. a girl never looks so pretty as
when she is wearing her bridal dress.
Dorothy Ia little embarrassed) {:
That's a striking picture-the knight
in armor and the lady and the SOL
diers; what is it?