The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-17
No. 6
The ar-Shaped
Marks.


in the park, we came across one of his
friends, man of the name of Lotus
Durham. Durham was rising artist
whose portrait paintings had lately at
tracted notice. He invited US both to
his studio on the following Sunday.
where he was to receive a party OF
friends to see his latest work, an his
torieal picture for the coming Academy.
The picture is an order from lady.
who has herself sat for the principal
figure" said Durham. 81 hope you
may meet her also on Sunday. My i'm
preston is that the picture will do well
but If SO, II viii be on account of the
remarkable beauty OF my model But
] must not add mOre-you will see
what / mean for yourselves"
He walked briskly away.
Poor Durham" said Dufrayer. when
he had left us. 81 am glad that he is
beginning to get over the dreadful cat
astrophe which threatened to ruin him
body and soul year back
What do you mcan?" asked
II allude to the tragic death OF his
young wife, said Dufrayer. They
were only married two years She was
thrown from her horse on the hunting
Held. broke her back and died a few
hours afterward. There was a child, a
boy of about 4 months old, at the time
of the mothers death. Durham was so
frightfuLly Frustrated from the shock
that SOME of his friends feared for his
reason; bat I now see that he is regain
ing his usual calibre. / trust his new
picture VIII be a success; but notwith-
standing his remarkable talent, I own
] have my doubts. 1t takes a man in
ten thousand to do a good historical
picture"
On the following Sunday about 4
O'Clock Dufrayer and I found ourselves
2t Durham's house I'm Lancaster Gar
dens. A number of well known artists
and their wives had already assem-
bled I'm the studio. We found the Wis
itors all gazing at a. life-size picture in
heavy frame which stood on an easel
facing the window.
Dufrayer and I took our places in the
background. and looked at the group
represented Oh the canvas in silence
Any doubt of Durham's ultimate sue
cess must have Immediately vanished
from Dufrayer's mind. The picture was
a magnificent work of art. and the sub
Ject was worthy of an artists best eff
forts 1t was taken from 1.-The Lady of
the Lake" and represented Ellen Doug
las I'm the guard room of Stirling Cas-
tie. surrounded by the. rough soldiers
of James V. Of Scotland. 1t was named
Soldiers. Attendr'-Enen's first words
as she flung of her plaid and revealed
herself in ell her dark proud beauty
TO the wonder of the soldiers. The pose
and attitude We're superb, and did cred
il both to Durham and the rare beauty
of his model.
] was just turning round to cOngratu-
late him warmly on his splendid pro-
ductiOn when ] saw standing beside
him Ellen Douglas herself not in the
rough garb Of a Scotch lassie, but in
the simple and yet picturesque dress of
p well-bred English girl. Her large
black velvet hat, with its plume of os-
frich feathers. cOntrasted we'll with
face of dark and striking beauty, but
noticed even in that first glance a pc
culiar expression lingering round the
curves of her beautiful lips and filling
the big brown eyes. A secret care. an
anxiety artfuily concealed, and yet all
TOO apparent to a real judge of charac-
ter, spoke TO me from her face. All the
same, that very look of reserve and
sorrow but strengthened her beauty
and gave that final touch of genius to
the lovely figure on the canvas.
Just then Durham touched me on the
shoulder
What do you think of it," he
asked. pointing TO the picture.
Il congratulate you most heartily"
] responded.
Il owe any success which I may have
u
She has done me the honor to sit as
Ellen Douglas. Mr.. Head, may I in
troduce Lady Faulkner"
| bowed my acknowledgement, to
which Lady Faulkner gravely respond
ed. She stepped a little aside, and
seemed to invite me to follow her.
Il am also glad you like the pic
ture." she said. eagerly. For years I
have longed TO have that special sub
Ject- painted. I asked Mr.. Durham to
DON for me on condition that should
be the model for Ellen Douglas. The
picture is meant as a present for my
husband
Has he seen It yet?" I asked.
No; he is in India; it is to greet him
as a surprise on his return. 1t has al
ways been one of his longings to have
a really great picture painted on that
magnificent subject. and It was also
one of his fancies that / should take the
part OF Ellen Douglas. Thanks to Mr..
Durham's genius ! have succeeded, and
am much pleased"
A new arrival came up 20 speak to
her. I turned aside, but her face con-
tinued to attract me. and I glanced at
her from time to zine. Suddenly / no.
ticed that she held up her hand as If TO
arrest attention, and then flew to the
door of the studio. Outside was dis
tinctly audible the patter of small feet, |
and also the sound of a woman's voice |
raised in expostulation- This was fol- |
lowed by the satisfied half COO, half cry, |
of a young child. and the next instant |
Lady Faulkner reappeared carrying
Durhani's baby boy in her arms.
He was splendid little fellow, and |
handsome enough in himself to evoke |
unlimited admiration. A mass of thick. !
golden curls Swallowed his brow; his |
eyes were large and of q deep and |
heavenly blue. He had the round limbs |
and perfect proportions of a happy. /
healthy baby. The child had clasped |
his arms round Lady Faulkner's neck. |
Seeing great many visitors in the |
room, he started in some slight trepi- !
Cation. but, turning again to Lady |
Faulkner, smiled in her face.
'Ah, there you are, Robin" said Dur
ham. glancing at the child with light |
ing-up of his own somewhat sombre I
face. But, Lady Faulkner, please
don't let the little chap worry YOU
you are too good to him. The fact is. I
you spoil him dreadfully."
t'That is a libel, for nc one could /
spoil you. could they, Robin?" said /
Lady Faulkner. kissing the boy on his /
brow. She seated herself on the win
COW sill. 1 went up and took a place