The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-08-03
TRIXIE

Once aspired to become the great
painter of my generation. l was young
and l had not yet become acquainted
with my limitations. For more than
a decade l kept to my determination,
but at last awoke to the truth, turned
my big canvases out of doors and be.
gan to paint miniatures.
One afternoon just before the sum.
mer hegira into the country, was
putting the finishing touches to the
tiny portrait of famous society beau
ty, l received visit from two OF the
most remarkable beings had ever
seen, or ever expect to see this side Of
eternity. One of thenl-the man-was
so like my own private conception of
Hercules, albeit Hercules ancient
and grizzled. Hercules gone to seed,
as 1t were, that at sight Of him l
would have been willing to fling aside
the ivory toy which had become pre-
cious under my crafty touch and be-
gin afresh on canvas of heroic size.
But only for moment thus. When
! looked at the old mans companion
the Hercules inspiration died a sud.
den death. At that moment l realized
perfectly that was face to face with
the one living woman who was the alb.
solute fulfillment of my ideal of beau.
ty.
"This young lady, my daughter, Miss
Roofr{v Eofr1{o &c %N horA hny
painted for her aunt in Dumfries," he
explained with the manner of grand
seigneur. Would undertake the busi-
ness and what might be my terms?
: l knew as sketched in that face on
that fair spring afternoon that 1t be.
longed to the woman who was born in.
to the world to be my wife.
Did she know? To this day I have
not been able to settle that point def
nitely. Whenever I speak Of 1t, Trixie
claims priority in the matter, dating
the birth Of her interest in me at some
impossible period before our first
meeting.
Finished at last" I announced, a.
cheerfully as could, on the very last
day. Then I added regretfully: "I'm
not in the least satisfied with 1t. be.
lieve I could do 1t much better an
other time. Leave 1t with me until
tomorrow and I will send it to your
address,"
All that evening and during the in
terminable night that followed I was
a mailman dominated by a single
thought-how to keep that miniature
for my very own. could have repro
duced 1t In absolute facsimile, but it
would not have been the same. must
have the bit of ivory on which I had
created the varisemblance from the
living model. No mere copy would
satisfy me. would never give 1t up.
With morning there came to me
another and saner idea. Since I
was in no legitimate sense the owner
of the portrait, would deliver it with
my own hands into the possession Of
Beatrix Fairlie. With the inspiration
there came such a violent access of
delight at the prospect Of seeing her
again that I could scarcely wait for
daylight. It was now that examined
for the first time the card which the
old man had left on my table. Under
the printed line, James Fairlie, Train.
er of Wild Animals" was written.
Captain Simon's Place, Richmond,
Staten Island"
1t was nearly eight o'clock when
made my way up the long walk which
led to the principal entrance to Cap.
tain Simon's big and sadly neglected
dwellings. 60
l climbed the steep flight of wood
en- steps which led to the veranda.
Just as l was about to reach out and
grasp the old-fashioned knocker, 1
heard sound within which seemed
to be a stifled sob. Then the sobbing
was repeated again and again and at
last a fearful voice, made pitiful and
almost ineligible by some master
emotion, came from the other side Of
the door.
"Oh, Leo, my dear old love-" it
walled, please be very kind to me,
for am SO unhappy"
IL was the voice OF BeatrlX Fa1rlio
and had rival! Reckless of conse-
quences, flung myself against the
heavy door and it flew back on its
hinges with force that fairly Jared
the building.
(: What l saw with my glazing eyes
was perfect and instantaneous cure
for my insane Jealousy. Seated on the
lowest step Of the wire staircase, a
ravishing vision Of loneliness despite
her detection and tear stains. was Be.
atrix Fairlie. At her feet, raised high
on his launches in an attitude of
startled belligerency, sat half.grown
ion cub.
do not speak or move" she warned
in a low voice, reaching out and put.
ting both arms about the expectant
animals great neck. Good old Leo"
she murmured soothingly. Down. old
boy! Lie down, Leo!"
Without removing his gaze from me
for an instant the beast .crouched
obediently.