Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-12-03
Scheme
By EVELYN SPENCER

One morning John Atwood, mer-
chant, received from his daughter, who
was at the time In Paris, letter ask
ing him to send all the photographs
of her mother, some years dead, to her
since she had found an artist who
could paint portrait from them Civ
ing the desired lifelike expression.
Miss Atwood furthermore suggested
that he come over and attend to the
matter himself The artist she referred
to was rising man in his profession
and would probably require a good
price for doing the work.
Mr.. Atwood, gathering the pictures
and one day turned up in Paris. He
was at once taken to the studio Of
Clarence Whiting, the artist, who was
to paint the portrait. Mr.. Whiting
looked over the photographs carefully,
asked which was regarded as the best
likeness of the original and remarked;
I'VE portrait painters see resem-
blances more readily than other per-
sons. To me Miss Atwood is very like
her mother. But l cannot tell whether
the varied expressions of her face are
like her mothers, for a photograph has
but one expression, and that is apt to
be unlike anything ever found on the
face Of the original. Unfortunately l
have never seen Mrs. Atwood. | will
undertake to paint the portrait from
the photograph you like best. enliven-
ing 1t with Miss Atwood's most pleas
Ing expressions. In other words. will
make up the portrait from both mother
and daughter I admit that am much
more likely to fail than succeed. but If
l succeed the result will be gratifying
to you as we'll as to me-"
! Mr.. Atwood was favorably impressed
with this and asked the sum that
would be charged for the work when
! finished. Mr.. Whiting replied that.
since he would be unable himself to
Judge of his work, he would make no
price until he learned IL the father and
daughter pronounced it a success.
The matter being disposed of, the art
list took the photograph of his subject
most approved of by the others, and 1t
| was arranged that Miss Atwood should
! give him regular sittings.
Miss Atwood at any sudden an
nouncement that surprised, interested
or pleased her had way of throwing
back her head and looking fixedly at
the person making the announcement
This is a very lame description of it.
iD,,& IL. IT,
| Whiting looked for 1t in the father
| and, not finding 1t, concluded there
were many chances in favor of its hav-
ing been inherited from the mother.
He determined to paint the portrait,
giving the life period of Mrs. Atwood
about the time she died and the ex-
preston referred to.
| Mr.. Whiting worked long while be-
fore he produced what pleased him,
making drawings innumerable before
beginning to paint. Miss Atwood rare
ly assumed what he was trying to
catch and put on the canvas, and this
materially caused delay. At any rate,
the painting of the portrait seemed to
require very long time. Mr.. Atwood,
whose presence was required in Amer
| lea, became impatient.
At last a satisfactory drawing was
made, and after that the work was
comparatively easy. More time was
spent in smoothing and softening the
lines, but Mr.. Atwood was assured that
a time could be set for the finishing.
He was not permitted to see the pie
ture while it was being painted. and
it was not till it was framed and set
up in a proper light that he was adj
mitted to the studio, where it rested
on an easel. Whiting and Miss At
wood both watched for the expression
on his face when he should see it,
knowing that success or failure would
be expressed there. The result was
success beyond their expectations. The
widower's face lighted up with an ex-
preston never seen there since his
wife's death, and he Involuntary put
out his arms as If to clasp her, living
being
After feasting his eyes on the picture
he drew n check book from his pocket
and asked the artist what amount he
should fill in for the picture. Whit
ing glanced at Miss Atwood and saw
there sign which he seemed to I'M
derstand and said. Pardon me for a
moment; I will make out a bill" and
going to a desk. he sat down, wrote
something on bit of paper. held IL
before Miss Atwood's eyes; she glanced
an approval, and he handed it to her
father. 1t read:
Mr.. John Atwood.
To Clarence Whiting Dr.,
To painting portrait. one girl, Ethel At
wood.
Mr.. Atwood was some time getting
the drift OF the matter through his
head When he did he looked at his
daughter sternly and said:
"Ethel, did you work this schemeT
81 did, papa" replied the girl, draw
Ing short breaths.
"And brought me over here on pur-