The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-02-17
The Brotherhood of the Seven Kings

painter n2d already reached her ears
and she ventured 10 visit me to know II
would care to undertake an historical
picture. I had done nothing so am
bilious before, and 1 hesitated. She
pressed the matter, volunteered to sit
for the central figure. and offered me
42.OoO for the picture when completed
II am not too well off, and could not
afford TO refuse such sum. l begged
of her to employ other and better
known men, but she would not hear OF
it-she wanted my work, and mine
alone She was convinced that the pic
ture would be a great success. In the
end her enthusiasm prevailed. I con-
sented to paint the picture, and set to
work at once. For such large canvas
the time was snort, and Lady Faulkner
came to sit to me three or four times
a week. She made one proviso-the
child was to be allowed to come freely
in and out of the room. She attracted
little Robin from the first, and was
more than good to him. The boy be-
came fond of her. and she never looked
better. nor more at her ease, than when
she held him in her arms. She has
certainly done me a good service. and
for her sake alone I cannot be too
pleased that thu picture is appreci-
ated."
us Lady Faulkner still in town."
asked.
mo. she left for Scotland only this
morning. Her husbands place, Bran
castle, in Inverness. is a splendid old
historical estate, dating from the Mid
die Ages"
How is your boy?'' I asked. You
keep him i'm town, see; but you have
good air in this part of London"
Yes, capital; he spends most of his
in r-lx
is quite well, thank you. By the way,
ne ought to be in now. He generally
joins me at tea Would it worry you
if he came i'll as usual, Head?"
Not at all; on the contrary, l should
like to sec him." 1 said.
Durham rang the beH A servant en-
tered
You can get tea. Collier" said his
master. BY the way, is baby home
get?"
mo, sir" was the reply. 81 cannot
understand it," added the man: Jane
is generally back long before now
Durham made no answer. He re-
turned to his Interrupted work. The
servant withdrew. Tea was brought in,
but there was no sign of the child.
Durham handed me a cup. then stood
distracted for a moment. looking
straight before him Suddenly he went
TO the bell and rang It.
Tell nurse to bring Master Robin
in" he said.
but nurse and baby have not re-
turned home yet. sir
Durham glanced at the clock.
ct is just g. he exclaimed. Can
anything be wrong? 1 had better so
out and look for them"
Let me go with YOU i said. eff you
are going into Regents park, it is on
my way nome.
Nurse generally takes the child to
the Broad Walk" said Durham; I'VE
will go in that direction
We entered the park. No sign of
nurse or child could we see, though we
made several Inquiries of the park
keepers. who could tell US nothing
Il have no right to worry you with
all this" said Durham. suddenly.
I glanced at him. He had expressed
no alarm in words. but / saw now that
he was troubled and anxious, and his
face wore a stern expression. A name
less suspicion suddenly visited my
heart. Try as / would, I could not
shake it off.
1--WE had better go back" l said: in
all probability you win find the little
fellow safe at home"
I used cheerful words which I did not
feel. Durham looked at me again.
1.-The child is not to me as an ordi-
nary child he said, dropping his voice.
you know the tragedy through which
I have Iived?"
"Dufrayer has told me-" I replied.
my whole life is wrapped up in the
little fellow" he continued. We'll, /
hope We shall find him all right on our
return. Are you really coming back
with me?''
Certainly, If you will have me- I
shall not rest easy myself until 1 know
that the boy is safe
We turned in the direction of Dur
hams house. We ran up the steps.
Have you seen them, sir?" asked
the butler. as he opened the door.
mo. Are they not back yet?" asked
Durham.
mo. sir: we have heard nor seen
nothing of either of them.'
This is quite unprecedented" said
the artist. "Jane knows well that I
never allow the boy to be out after
O'Clock. 1t is nearly now. You are
quite certain he added. turning to the
man. that no message has come to
mo, sir; nothing"
what 90 you think of ii, Head?" He
looked at me inquirinsly.
1T is impossible TO tell you" I re-
piled: "a thousand things may keep the
nurse out Let US wait for another
hour. If the child has not returned by
then, we ought certainly to take some
action"
/ avoided looking at Durham as |
spoke, for Lady Faulkner's words to
Nine. Koluchy returned unpleasantly
to my memory:
81 shall do it tomorrow or next day
you have arranged about the nurse?''
We went into the studio, and Dur
ham offered me a cigarette. As he did
so l suddenly heard a connection in a
distant part of the house, there was
the sound of hurrying feet and the
noise of more than one voice raised in
agitation and alarm. Durham's face
turned CHASTITY.
There has been an accident" he
said. II felt that there was something
wrong God help mer' He rushed to
the door. / followed him. Just as he
reached ii, it was flung open. and the
nurse, a come1y-looking woman of be-
tween so and 40 years of age. ran in
and flung herself at Durham's feet.
You'll never forgive me. SIR" she
yasped. Il feel At to kill myself"
Get up, Jane, at once. and tell me
what has happened. Speak, Is any,
thing wrong with the child?"
'.Oh sir, he is gone-he is lost. I
ion't know where he is Oh. know