The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1914-01-07
Scheme
By EVELYN SPENCER

since she had found an artist who
could paint a 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 a rising man in his profession
and would probably require a good
price for doing the work.
Mr.. Atwood. gathering the pictures
in his possession. sailed for Europe
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-
dances more readily than other per-
sons. To me Miss Atwood is very like
her mother. But | cannot tell whether
the varied expressions of her face are
like her mothers, for 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. I will
undertake to paint the portrait from
the photograph you like best, enliven-
ing it with Miss AtwOod's most pleas.
ing expressions. In other words, will
make up the portrait from both mother
and daughter. l admit that am much
more likely to fail than succeed. but if
| succeed the result will be gratifying
to you as well as to me-
Mr.. Atwood was favorably impressed
with this and asked the sum that
would be charged for the work wheD
finished. Mr. Whiting replied that,
since he would be unable himself to
judge of his work, he would make no
price until he learned if 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 it
was arranged that Miss Atwood should
give him regular sittings.
Miss Atwood at any sudden an
nOuncement that surprised. interested
or pleased her had a way of throwing
back her head and looking fiXedly az
the person making the announcement.
This is very lame description of it,
but an expression is indescribable. Mr..
Whiting looked for it in the father
and. not finding it, 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 Il long while be
fore he produced what pleased him.
making drawings innumerable before
beginning to paint. Miss Atwood rare
~ assumed what he was trying to
catch and put on the canvas. and this
. materially caused delay. At any rate.
require a 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 wOrlS was
comparatively easy. More time was
spent in smoothing and softenfng the
lines. but Mr. Atwood was assured that
a time could be set for the finishing.
lie was not permitted to see the pic
ture while it was being painted, and
it was not till it was framed and set
up in a proper light that he was ad-
United to the studio, where 1t rested
Oh an easel. Whiting and Miss At
nod both yr-atChn6 ~ -
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 bis
rife's death. and he involuntarily put
ant bis arms as if to clasp her. living
'eing.
After feasting his eyes on the picture
le drew a 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 a sign which he seemed to un
Gerstand and said. Pardon me for a
moment; l wiz make out BILL and.
going to a desk, he sat down. wrote
something on bit Of paper. held it
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, Eshel At
wood.
Mr.. Atwood was some time getting
tie drift Of the matter through his
head. When he did he looked at his
daughter Sternly and said:
ethel. did you work this scheme?"
81 did, papa" replied the girl. draw
ing short breaths.
"And brought me over here on par
pose to turn you over to. some one
alse?'
THAT was one object. papa"
But by no means the only one" the
lover put in. Before your daughter
had ever seen me, looking upon one Of
my portraits. she remarked that l was
lust the person you needed for the work
| have done"
There was long silence. after which
Mr. Atwood said: