Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-05-29

hdu uduuleu ullu lOI years, as ne now
believed. In no sense could the pic
| ture be described as a portrait. It was
a study, deliberately arranged and de-
liberately posed for in the artists stu.
dio. 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 a commercial product Of
this whilom artist?
Turning from 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 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 Hawkrights model!
The next morning at ten he was al
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-distributed light for the
enterprise in hand. Hetty had not YET
appeared. Sara, atttred in loose
morning gown, was watching him from
a comfortable chair in the corner, one
shapely bare arm behind her head; the
free hand was gracefully employed II
managing a cigarette. He was con
scious Of the fact that her lazy, half
alert gaze was upon him all the time
although she pretended to be entirely
| AhuihCl ChI W LILO " Optii otAOAS' bihIiJ
he could see the faint smile of inter
est on her lips.
Hetty came in, calm, serene ant
lovelier than ever in the clear morn
ing light. She was wearing the simple
white gown he had CHOSEN the day be
fore. II she was conscious Of the
rather intense scrutiny he bestowed
upon her as she gave him her hant
in greeting, she did not appear to be
in the least disturbed.
"You may go away, Sara" she sale
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 il
the room.
Shall we try few effects, Mis-
Castleton?" he inquired, after a periot
of constraint that had its effect OF
both of them.
Il am in your hands," she said sim
ply.
He made suggestions. She fell int,
the position so easily, so naturally, 81
effectively, that he put aside all previ
GUS doubts and blurted out:
You have posed before, Miss Cas-
Teton"
She smiled frankly. But not 70
really truly portrait" she said
Such as this Is to be-
He hesitated an instant. II thinl
I recall a canvas by Maurice Hawk
right" he said, and at once experienc
ed curious sense Of perturbation.
was not unlike fear.
Instead of betraying the confusion
or surprise he expected, Miss Castle
ton merely raised her eyebrows II
quiringly.
What has that to do with me, MI
} Booth?" she asked.
He laughed awkwardly.
Don't you know his work." he II
quired, with a slight twist of his lip,
, Il may have seen his pictures" sh
replied, puckering her brow as If i
reflection. "Oh," she cried, with
bright smile of understanding. Il see
/ Yes, have a double-a really remark
able double Have you never seen He
! ty Glynn, the actress?"
/ Il am sure have no" he said, tai
: ing long breath. 1t was one Of r.
, lief, he remembered afterward 81
/ she is so like you as all that. couldn
have forgotten her"
"She Is quite unknown, | believ
, she went on, ignoring the implied con
! pliment. "A chorus girl, or somethin
: like that. They say she is wonderful
> like me-or was, at least, few year
ago"
2 He was silent for a few minutes
]. studying her face and figure with tn
critical eye of the artist. AS he turl
5 ed to the canvas with his crayon poin
/ he remarked, with an unmistakabl
: note of relief in his voice:
/ THAT explains everything. 1t mus
: have been Hetty Glynn who posed fc
3 all those things of Hawkright's."
4 81 dare say" said she Indifferent,
\ CHAPTER TX.