Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-23
|. THE. EVENING STORY.
A British Deal in Venetian
worries.
BY n. GRAHAME RICHARDS.

he Hon Charles Bathurst was a
prominent member Of the Aloysius Anti
guardian Club. He was extremely wealthy.
extremely mean, and, Of course, he col
iected. His penchant was for works In
ivory; his collection. an accumulation OF
thirty years, was valued at fabulous
sum. and was mentioned with respect by
the curators of museums. Further, he
had written voluminous tones on the
style of Tien-Su-San. whose works were
to be seen in the Shinto high temple at
Marioka, Japan. He was, therefore. re-
garded as an expert, and there were those
to whom his word was as the laws of the
Modes and Persians. All this naturally
reflected to his credit and gave him
standing at the club
* = = ::
But, on the other hand, there We're ru-
mors afioat regarding his business meth
DDS which caused some people, particu-
larIy dealers in antiquities. to look at
him askance. Some OF his transactions,
1t was said. whsreby he acquired at RI
diculously low figures articles worth their
weight in gold savored not OF gentle
manly dealing. Besides, he was wont
proudly to boast that not once in thirty
years had he come out on the wrong side
Of bargain. This. In an age when the
art Of taking has reached its highest
point of perfection. rather justified the
attitude OF tie dealers-and others.
Among the members of the club was
une, Mr.. Bernard Carol, whose prin-
opal object in life was old china, who
Also dabbled-as a side issue-in worries.
knowledge, >and SO frequently paid huge
prices for NRrticles which subsequently
proved to be almost worthless. And on
such occasions he suffered all the morti-
e. p< 6nSa thx
casm and yelled sneerS Of Mr.. Bath
urst He had once the temerity to out
bid the latter at a sale for some Indian
work on which the expert had set his
heart. Since that day, many years be-
fore, there had been war between the two
gentlemen.
Mr. Bathurst entered tie smoke room
OF the club one morning early. 1t was
| untenanted but for the presence of Mr..
Carol. who. sunk In an armchair. was
absorbed In the columns Of q daily paper.
| On the mantel shelf stood two figures
carved In ivory AS q magnet attracts
steel, so WAS the expert drawn toward
| those two figures.
| He crossed the room, peered at them
! closely, and then felt in his pocket for
| his glasses. He had forgotten them.
Afterward he lifted the figures one after
| the other and inspected them still more
| closely and minutely. Over the top Of HE
| paper Mr.. Carol watched him in silence
He observed the repressed eagerness ex-
pressed in every line of the experts face
| and form, and finally the quick. furtive
| glance cast in his direction. But for al
! a very short-sighted man might see tc
| the contrary. Mr.. Carol was still deep
/ ly engrossed with his paper. AT last
| with obviously assumed carelessness. Mr.
/ Bathurst turned away and dropped into q
/ chair.
'I. think it perfectly, disgusting
said he. as though talking to him
/ self that the government should per.
/ NIT these fragrant limitations to b.
sold openly. 1t is manifestly as fraud
should be introduced to put an end to It.
Mr. Carol lowered his paper.
s'"rhen have made yet another mis-
take" he asked calmly.
Mr. Bathursts eye cleaned.
THAT depends entirely on what 20,
paid for them" he said. "They are imi
tations, worth perhaps ESQ. OF set ex
ecuted In 1878 By Pintorelli. There ar,
three figures to the complete set. Tn,
laws. the second the doge wedding the
sea in the Bucephalus, the third the dogs
and the council before the lions Of st
Marks. Steinwein. tho city man. woule
be able to supply you with copy OF thu
missing figure for. say, 325."
Mr.. Carroll rose slowly to his feet
plunged his hands into his pockets, ant
stood gazing at the figures with wei
simulated expression of mingled despair
and anger After a time he said. slowly
And I paid 81 900 for this rubbish
L Mr.. Bathurst lay back IL his chair anl
laughed long and loud,
Il You have indeed. been badly bitter
this time, then lie chuckied-
| ut is, however. conce,Nably possible