Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-04-08

/ In are deposited so many art treaSui'
found under the ashes thrown over
them 1900 years before by Fesuvfus
Miss Clifford preceded her new found
friend to Rome. and before her depar-
ture he kindly offered to pack her
painting for her. She kindly accept
ed his offer. and when lie returned 1t
to her properly boxed he gave her the
name Of dealer In Rome. with whom
be advised her to leave 1t on exhibition.
| And so ii was that the accidental
meeting of these two persons at Sor-
rento was renewed ut Naples. and
since travellers from the south Of Italy
must 20 north 1t was likely TINT they
might meet all the way up to Milan.
And at every parting 1t was evident
that the next meeting would be more
| cordial.
When Miss Clifford reached Rome
she called OH the dealer. and he sent to
her hotel for the picture. Soon after
this when she saw 1t framed she was
ustonished at the remarkable change
the framing had produced In 1t. 1t
was the same scene. but under the III
luence Of the surrounding gilt 1t was
simply beautiful. 1t seemed to re-
quire the Illuminating properties to
bring out the cOlors.
The next time she went Into the
shop the dealer Informed her that her
painting was sold.
"Sold." she exclaimed.
"Yes, signorina. You directed me to
sell 1t. did you not? 1t has not yet
been removed. If there is any mistake
please let me know it ut once. In case
of a picture like that | don't wish to
make blunder."
How much did 1t bringT asked the
artist, aghast
"Forty-fve hundred francs
"Forty-Gve hundred francs"
"Yes. signornu. Are you disap-
pointed?"
"How did you get SO much for t.
1.-THE artist is rising young Ameri-
can who Is making name"
what name!"
"E. Minard."
"Minurd"'
"Yes. signorina. The signature Is
genuine. isn't IT."
Miss Clifford stood mute for a few
moments. staring ut the dealer. then
told him to let her see the picture. He
took her to his packing room and
showed It to her. putting his finger on
the name In the lower left hand cor.
ner. f. Minard.
Miss Clifford stood looking ut the few
daubs that spelled "Minard" for long
while without speaking A light was
slowly creeping In upon her brain. Two
emotions met and mingled. There was
disappointment that she had not proved
herself IN artist and pleasure that her
friend had imposed upon her to her ad
vantage. for she saw that he had sub
stituted his own picture for hers. There
was another emotion more in evidence
than either of the other two. Surely
man who would do such thing for a
woman must have for her more than
friendly interest
rs it all right. siGnorinu?" asked the
dealer
"All right? Oh. yes. of course. it's all
right"
81 will give you the money less the
commission"
Certainly"
Miss Clifford took the bills he handed
her and left the shop. Minnrd had given
her his address In Rome and had asked
her to send him her card on her ar.
rival She sent 1t ut once, aud the 81 mo
evening he called upon her.
"Mr. Mlnard. why did you impose
upon me?"
GLOW impose upon you!" he asked
shamefacedly.
about the picture"
"Pardon me-" hanging his head.
"How did you manage IT,
well when you went out to drive or
to walk or on excursions while ut Sor'
rento feed the maid to bring me your
picture and improved 1t bit. Mean
while was painting the same scene
myself. Then you made II very easy
for me by giving me your picture to
pack. packed my own and kept yours.
Mine has perhaps money value above
yours. but yours has a value to me
beyond price"
She had sent for him to hand him the
money she had received from the deal |
er. but these last few words had
meaning that changed the situation.
He declared that the picture she had
painted was of far more value to him
than the one he had painted himself
The exchange was in his favor. He |
begged her to permit 1t.
Nevertheless. since his pnint'ng had
produced enough money to pay for her
trip, she could not reconcile her con
science to accepting II till the matter
was compromised by her THROWN. her
self in with her own imperfect work
This was considered as an equivalent
bonus, and the couple were married he
fore they left Rome.