The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-07-27
TRIXIE

painter of my generation. was young
and l had not yet become acquainted
with my limitations. For more than
a decade 1 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, l was
putting the finishing touches to the
tiny portrait of famous society beau
ty, / received a visit from two of the
most remarkable beings l had ever
seen, or ever expect to see this side or
eternity. One of them-the man-was
so like my own private conception OF
Hercules, albeit a 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 a canvas of heroic size.
But only for moment thus. When
looked at the old mans companion
the Hercules inspiration died sud.
den death. At that moment realized
perfectly that was face to- face with
the one living woman who was the alb
solute fulf1llment of my ideal Of beau.
ty.
''This young lady, my daughter. Miss
Beatrix Fairlie, Is to have her portrait
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?
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 have
not been able to settle that point def
nitely. Whenever 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" announced, as
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 mo until
tomorrow and will send It to your
address," ~ - 'ft-te /
All that evening and during the In
terminable night that followed was
q madman 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 thes same. Unjust
have the bit Of ivory on which ] had
created the varisemblance from the
living model. No mere copy would
satisfy me- would never give It up.
With morning there came to me
another and q saner idea, Since l
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 violent access Of
delight at the prospect 81 seeing her
again that I could scarc6lys watt for
daylight. twas now thatF 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 l
made my way up the long walk which
led to the principal entrance to Cap
tain Simon's big and sadly neglected
dwellings.
climbed the steep flight of wood
on Wh od n ia mr.
Just as l was about to reach out and
grasp the old-fashioned knocker,
heard a sound within which seemed
to be stified 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 l am so unhappy"
1t was the voice of Beatrix Fairlie
and l had a rival! Reckless of conse-
quences, / flung myself against the
heavy door and it few back on its
hinges with a force that fairly Jared
the DuilQlnS.
What | saw with my glaring eyes
was a 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 Fsi-.e At her feet, raised high
on his h,urchcs n an attitude OF
startled tei.ige.ency. sat halfgrown
lion cub.
do Lct ere K or move" she wa ned
in low voice, reaching out and put
ting both arms aLout 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.
Nov close the door quietly. but
quickly, if you love me- she
whispered, bending her 1.-THE body
and drawing the lions head to her
shoulder, never sonce ceasing to be-
guile him with endearments and ca
resses.
I made the quickest move of nv life