Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-29
The Daily Story
PAINTING A PICTURE-BY ANDREW C. EWING
CopyrIghted. lsls. by Assoeiated Literary Bureau


which bear the names of artists who
have made name
Minard joined her in Naples. where
instesd OF painting they visited the
buried cities of pOmpeii and HerCu-
laneum together and the gallery where
in are deposited 50 many art treasures
found under the ashes thrown over
them 1000 years before by NcSuvinS.
Miss Clifford preceded her new found
friend to Rome and before her depac-
ture he kindly offered 10 pack her
painting for her. She kindly accept
ed his offer. and when he returned Il
10 her properly boxed he gave her the
name OF dealer in Rome. with whom
he advised her TO leave it on exhibition.
And 50 it was that the accidental
meeting of these two persons at Sor-
rento was renewed at Naples, and
since travellers from the south OF Italy
must so north il was likely that they
might meet all the way up 10 Milan.
And at every parting 1t was evident
that the next meeting would be more
cordial
When Miss Clifford reached Rome
she called on the dealer, and he sent 10
her hotel for the picture. Soon after
this when she saw it framed she was
HstOnished at the remarkable change
the framing had produced in it 1t
was the same scene. but under the in
fuence 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 II, did you not? Ii has not vet
been removed. IF there is any mistake
please let me know it at once. In case
of a picture like that l don't wish to
make a blunder."
How much did it bringT' asked the
artist. aghast
"FOrty-h hundred francs"
"FOrty-ive hundred francs"
Yes, signorina. Are you disap
pointed?"
How did you get so much for it,"
The artist is rising young Amert
can who is making name"
What nameE'
"E. Minard."
"Minardr'
Yes. signorina The signature I.
genuine, isn't 90
Miss Clifford stood mute for a few
moments. staring at the dealer. then
told him TO let her see the picture lie
a
showed it to her. putting his finger on
the name in the lower left hand cor
uer. E. Minard.
Miss Clifford stood looking az the few
daubs that spelled "Minard" for long
while without speaking light was
slowly creeping In upon her brain Two
emotions met and mingled. There was
disappointment that she had not proved
herself an artist and pleasure thar 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
woman must have for her more than a
friendly interest
! us it all right. signorina? ?" asked the
/ dealer
IAN 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. Minard had given
/ her his address in Rome and had asked
her to send him her card on her ar
! rival. She sent it at once. and the same
evening be called upon her
Mr. Minard. why did you impose
upon me?''
( How impose upon you?" he asked
/ shamefacedly.
About the picture"
Pardon me-" hanging his head.
How did you manage it,"
We'll when you went out TO drive or
to walk or on excursions while at Sor-
rento feed the maid to bring me your
picture and improved II a bit Mean
while was painting the same scene
myself Then you made 1t very easy
for me by giving me ySur picture to
path lldtktl NY o" II V0l kept yours.
Mine has perhaps a money value above
yours. but yours has value to me
beyond price"
She had sent for him 10 hand him the
money she had received from the deal
err but these last few words had a
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 10 permit IT,
Nevertheless. since his painting had
produced enough money 10 pay for her
trip. she could not reconcile her con
science to accepting II III the matter
was compromised by her throwing her.
self in with her own imperfect work.
This was considered as an equivalent
bonus. and the couple we're married no
fore they left Rome.
March 80 IN american
i