The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-17

Obeying my not altogether courteous
summons, Come I'M" which ! had ut
tered IN response to a brisk knocking
al my studio door late. one stormy
night, a young man clad in motoring
attire entered, and came forward TO
where ! stHl remained seated before
my easel His bearing was easy and
graceful, and with an unmistakable
air of culture and refinement he in
troduced himself.
my name is McGork-Langford
McGork / am motoring through this
part of the country for the first time,
and having heard that the scenery
from here on to the city is especially
fine. ! am desirous Of making the bal
ance Of the trip by daylight
please be seated, Mr.. McGork,' l
said. offering him a chair before the
open fireplace.
Thank you, sir" he returned, seat
ing himself comfortably. 81 saw the
light I'm your window, and stopped TO
request shelter for the night" Then,
as if detecting a reluctance on my
part TO have him, he added quickly:
q shall endeavor to put you to as lit
tie inconvenience as possible, Mis-
ter"
"Paulson-Paulson is my name /
said, "and do not see how l can pos
sibly-"
Now, now, Mr.. Paulson," he plead
ed. "all | want is a place to tumble
down on-for am dead tired!"
But my only servant goes home at
night" I argued. 81 fear I can offer
you very little in the way of refresh
ment"
"Refreshment-that reminds me-"
he said cheerily, 81 have a large bas-
ket in my car-really, a capital cold
spread-and, if I remember correctly,
a bottle or two. Before this fine old
fireplace we two could have a cozy
enough evening of tiff you say the
world" He paused and looked at me
inquiringly. I nodded a dubious as
sent. and he hurried out with me close
on his heels, to bring in his personal
effects-and the basket-regarding
which latter my interest was already
aroused to no slight extent.
had moved to this rural retreat
from the city, some months previous,
for the express purpose Of obtaining
quiet and solitude; that might de-
vote my entire attention to my art,
wholly undisturbed. I felt that I had
accomplished much by the change:
but at times it had been lonesome
insufferably lonesome So now, as l
had for my guest a gentleman Of rare
personal magnetism, Of culture and
taste-and a well-filled lunch basket,
felt far more reconciled at having
been disturbed at my work than l
did at the moment I first heard him
knocking at my door.
That lunch would have delighted an
epicure. We spread it out on low
table before the fireplace. AS he in
sisted that I join him, I did so, first
adding a few delicacies from my own
larder My guest, found, was excep-
tionally entertaining and congenial.
As we were finishing the repast, he
chanced to look up at the canvas
upon which l had been musing when
he came to my door-a young girl I
had painted as "The Lady in Brown"
The picture now lacked only a few
finishing touches. I saw him give a
slight start. Then his face changed
color as his gaze fell upon the canvas,
and I heard him murmur in ecstacy:
That's the girl-sure as I'm sitting
herel"
what girl?" queried, wonderingly.
Apparently he did not hear my ques-
ton. His gaze was still Centered upon
the canvas. At length he spoke, de-
cisively. "My friend, must have that
picture!" He drew roll Of bills from
his pocket, and began peeling them
off, one at time. you must sell me
that picture"
I felt a warm glow steal over me,
something Of the artists innate pride
of achievement-of having created
and possessing that which even gold
could not procure.
"Mr. McGork," I said, sententiously,
there are some things money cannot
buy. I never sell a painting I have
made of a personal friend"
A shade of disappointment crossed
his face. He replaced the bills in his
pocket but I saw that he had not en-
tirely given up hope.
when did she sit for you?" he con-
tinued eagerly. where is she now?"
Befoye I could attempt to answer
him the clatter of a horses hoofs
sounded without. The next moment
the horseman came to a sudden stop