Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-06-05

to run through them. He was search.
ing for a vaguely remembered article
on one of the lesser-known English
painters who had given great promise
at the time 1t was published but who
dropped completely out of notice soon
afterward because of a mistaken no.
ton Of his own Importance. II
Booths memory served him right. the
fellow came a cropper, SO to speak. in
trying to ride rough shod over public
opinion. and went to the dogs. He
had been painting sensibly up to that
time, but suddenly went In for the
most violent style of impressionism.
That was the end of him.
There had been reproductions Of his
principal canvases. with sketches and
studies in charcoal. One Of these pic
lures had made lasting impression
on Booth: The figure Of a young wom-
an In deep meditation standing In the
shadow Of window easement from
which she looked out upon the world
apparently without a thought of 1t. A
slender young woman in vague reds
and browns. whose shadowy face was
positively illuminated by q pair Of
wonderful blue eyes.
He came upon 1t at last. For long
time he sat there gazing at the face
Of Hetty Castleton, q look Of half-won-
der. half-triumph in his eyes. There
could be no doubt as to the identity
OF the subject. The face was hers:
the velvety. dreamy. soulful eyes that
had haunted him for years. a. he now
believed. In no sense could the pic
ture be described as q portrait. II was
q study. deliberately arranged and de-
liberately posed for In the artists stu
do. He was mystified. Why should
she. the daughter Of Colonel Castleton.
the grand-niece Of an earl. be engaged
In posing for what evidently was
meant to be . commercial product Of
this whilom artist?
Turning from . skilfully colored fun
page reproduction. he glanced at frst
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 .
likeness. Some were half-draped. show
Ing In q 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 Amusement. The head
Of each Of these remarkable studies
In outline the head and fea-
lures Of Hetty Castleton! She had
been Hawkright's model!
The next morning at ten he was at
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-distributed light for the
enterprise in hand. Hetty had not yet
appeared. Sara. attired In . loose
gown. was watching him from
, comfortable chair In the corner. one
shapely bare arm behind her head; the
iree hand was gracefully employed In
. cigarette. He was con-
scious Of the fact that her lazy. half
alert case was upon him all the time.
although she pretended TO be entirely
Indifferent to the preparations. Dimly
be could see the faint smile Of inter.
Bot 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-
tore. II 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 90 away. Sara" she said
hrmly. Il shall be too dreadfully self
If you are looking on"
Booth looked at her rather sharply.
Sara indolently abandoned her COM
chair and left them alone In
The room.
Shall we try q few effects. Miss
he inquired. after a period
of constraint that had its effect on
both of them.
Il am in your hands," she said sipa-
ply.
He made suggestions. She fell into
he position % easily. 20 naturally. %
effectively. that he put aside all previ-
BUS doubts and blurted out:
you have posed before. Miss Cas-
Teton"
She smiled frankly. But not for
! really truly portrait" she said.
Such a. this 10 to be-"
He hesitated an instant. II think
recall . canvas BY Maurice Hawk.
light" he said. and at once experience
I'd . curious sense Of perturbation. Il
vas not unlike fear.
Instead Of betraying the confusion
" surprise he expected. Miss Castle
on merely raised her eyebrows In
Iuiringly.
What has that to do with me. Mr..
3ooth?" she asked.
He laughed awkwardly.
Don't you know his WORK." he In
Iuired. with shght twist Of his lip.
II may have seen his pictures" she
eplied. puck6ring her brow q II IN
election "Oh" aha cria6 nth n