Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1914-10-08


had haunted him for years, as he now
! believed. In no sense could the pic
ture be described as a portrait 1t was
study, deliberately arranged and de
hberately posed for in the artists stu
do. He was mystifled. Why should
she, the daughter of Colonel Castleton
the grandniece OF an earl, be engaged
in posing for what evidently was
meant to be a commercial product OF
ibis whilom artist?
Turning from a skilfully colored full
page reproduction, he glanced at first
casually over the dozen or more
sketches and studies on the succeed
ing pages. Many of them represented
studies OF women's heads and figures
with little or no attempt to obtain a
likeness. Some were half-draped, show
ing In sketchy way the long graceful
lines of the half.nude figure, OF bare
shoulders and breasts, of gauze-like
fabrics that but lily concealed impress
sive charms. Suddenly his eyes mar
rowed and q sharp exclamation fell
from his lips. He bent closer to the
pages and studied the drawings with
redoubled interest.
Then he whistled softly to himself, q
token Of simple amazement. The head
Of each of these remarkable studies
suggested in outline the head and fea-
lures of Hetty Castleton! She had
been Hawkright's model!
I"
The next morning at ten he was at
Southlook, arranging his easel and
canvas in the north end Of the long
living room, where the light from the
tall French windows afforded abun-
dant and well-dlstributed light for the
enterprise in hand. Hetty had not yet
appeared, Sara, attired in a loose
morning gown, was watching him from
comfortable chair in the corner, one
shapely bare arm behind her head; the
free hand was gracefully employed in
managing a cigarette. He was con-
scious of the fact that her lazy, half
although she pretended to be entirely
Indifferent to the preparations. Dimly
he could see the faint smile of inter
est on her lips.
Hetty came in, calm, serene and
lovelier than ever in the clear morn
ing light She was wearing the simple
white gown he had CHOSEN the day be-
fore. If she was conscious Of the
rather intense scrutiny he bestowed
upon her as she gave him her hand
in greeting, she did not appear to be
in the least disturbed.
You may go away, Sara" she said
firmly. II shall be too dreadfully self
conscious If you are looking on"
Booth looked at her rather sharply.
Sara indolently abandoned her COM
Portable chair and left them alone in
the room.
Shall we try a few effects, Miss
Castleton?" he inquired, after period
of constraint that had its effect on
both Of them.
Il am in your hands" she said sim
ply.
He made suggestions. She fell into
the position SO easily, so naturally, so
effectively, that he put aside all previ-
GUS doubts and blurted out:
You have posed before, Miss Cas-
Teton"
She smiled frankly. But not for
really truly portrait" she said.
Such as this Is to be-"
He hesitated an instant. Il think
I recall canvas by Maurice Hawk
right" he said and at once experience
ed a curious sense Of perturbation 1t
was not unlike fear.
Instead Of betraying the confusion
or surprise he expected, Miss Castle
ton merely raised her eyebrows in
quiringly.
What has that to do with me, Mr.,
BOOTH" she asked.
He laughed awkwardly.
Don't you know his work." he in
quired, with a slight twist of his lip
II may have seen his pictures" she
replied, pickering her brow as II In
reflection. "Oh," she cried, with a
bright smile of understanding. Il see!
Yes, l have a double-a really remark
able double. Have you never seen Het-
ty Glynn, the actress?"
81 am sure have not" he said, TAX
ing a long breath. 1t was one OF re-
lief, he remembered afterward. IF
she is so like you az all that, couldn't
have forgotten her"
she is quite unknown, l believe
che went on, ignoring the implied COM
pliment "A chorus girl, or something
like that. They say she IL wonderfully
like me--or was, at least, few years
ago"
He was silent for a few minutes,
studying her face and figure with the
critical eye Of the artist. AS he turn
ed to the canvas with his crayon point,
he remarked, with an unmistakable
note of relief In his voice:
That explains everything. 1t must
lave been Hetty Glynn who posed for
all those things of Hawkright's."
'T dare say" said she indifferently.
CHARTER TX.