The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-14
-WhyY T.

Constance left him and. striking q
disused road through the pines. walk
ed away toward Harpswell village.
After dinner instead of going back to
her work she took siesta and later
a tour of observation In search of OBJ
jects TO transfer to canvas.
The next morning was clear and
crisp. Constance walked to the cot
tage where she had left her belong
ings and. approaching. saw her easel
set up on the north porch and her pic
ture resting on it. She was far bet
ter pleased with what she had done
than she had been the day before.
Just then the stranger came out. and
she said to him:
you are an admirable teacher.
Last evening l was disposed to throw
my work into the FIRE. This morning
l am very well satisfied with it,
Perhaps 1t is because you see IL
through rested eyes"
Constance took her picture down to
before and began her days work. She
was again disappointed. 1t seemed
to her when noon came that her pic
ture looked much as 1t had done the
day before. She carried it up to the
strangers cottage. He saw her coming
and went out to meet her.
az fear that l have spoiled it." she
said to him. This morning 1t was
fine; now 1t is worse than it was yes
terday."
put 1t away from you again." he
said, It'll tomorrow morning"
~ will leave it with you till to-
morrow morning II you will kindly
keep it, but l know that during the
day l have injured 1t rather than Inn
proved It, am heartsick over It."
Growing confidential: 81 am very poor
and have hoped soon to be able to
make my living In this way. If the
more work I put on picture the
worse 1t is. what chance is there for
me?"
I'VE must all meet encouragement"
he replied, but when we are in Its
tolls there is kind fairy called rest
that unwinds them, and when we are
refreshed we take hold again with
renewed vigor."
So Constance left her picture with
her new found friend, went to her
room and lounged the rest of the day.
In the morning she found her picture
again set up in an advantageous light,
and again her dissatisfaction with 1t
of the day before was changed to
comfort.
Day after day Constance worked on
her picture, every morning comforted
by Its appearing to her to be improved
from what 1t was the day before,
every noon fearful lest she had lost
more than she had gained. The
stranger taught her many trick" as
he called 1t, by which objects were
brought to their relative position and
striking effects produced One thing
she knew-taken altogether, the pic
ture was really growing into some
thing beautiful. She believed that
what she was doing was due entirely
to q subtle influence her instructor
exerted over here.
During this time the summer was
fading into autumn. The water and
the sky took on a cold hue, and the
cottage residents Of Orrs island began
to return to their permanent homes.
Constance finished her painting and
was delighted with It, She was sur
prised at her talent.
Constance's instructor told her that
If she would take her picture to a
prominent art dealer In Boston he
thought she would get a good price
for It, He said he would meet her
there on a certain date and introduce
her. On the day named she took her
work to the store, but her instructor
failed to meet her. She showed the
dealer the picture. and he studied 1t
carefully.
"Did you paint itT' he asked.
Certainly Why to you ask thatT
Because | would have sworn that
vas Frank Elliot"
Taking up small microscope, he
brought 1t to bear on q lower corner.
at Is an Elliot" he said.
w nat 10 you mean r e4CldllueO Jue
astonished Constance.
The dealer handed her the micro
scope, and she brought 1t to bear on
The picture. There she saw "F. Elliot
del"
"Who is Frank Elliott" she asked.
"Our principal American marine
painter just at present"
where does he live"
Nowhere. He's been trying to re-
gain his health at Orr's island, l be-
lieve."
Constance was dumfounded
"What value do you place upon the
picture2" she asked.
The dealer pondered few moments,
then said:
ut is worth about $1,000"
Goodness graciousw exclaimed the
girl, her breath quite taken away.
At that moment Constances instruc.
tor walked into the shop.
Hello. Elliot" said the dealer,
been trying to fool me again, have
you? You can't do 1t. I'd know your
work In a dungeon"
The sequel to this story Is very brief
and very prosaic. Frank Elliot and
Constance, his wife, now IN summer
occupy the cottage at Orr's island,
where he painted the picture.