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About The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911 | View Entire Issue (May 9, 1888)
IT', J j IS 1 r. u M The Story of a Masterpiece. By HENBY JAKES. Jr. IS TWO PAI1TS. PAKT I. Copyrighted. O LONGER ago tlian last summer, during a six weeks' stay at Newport, John Lennox be came engaged to Miss Marian Ev erett, of New York. Mr. Lennox was a widower, of largo estato and with out children. Ho or u t noa xj jczua uui, distinguished ap jxsirance, of ex cellent manners, of an unusual shoro of sound information, of irreproachable habits and of a temper which was under stood to have suffered a trying and salutary probation during the short term of his wed ded life. Miss Everett was, therefore, all things considered, Ix.-Iieved to be making a a very good match und to be having by no means the worst of the lrgaiu. And yet Miss Everett, too, was a very marriageable young lady the pretty Miss Everett, as she was called, to distinguish her from certain plain cousins, with whom, owing to her having no mother and no sis ters, she was constrained, for decency's sake, to spend a great deal of her time rather to her own satisfaction, it may be conject ured, than to that of these excellent young women. Marian Everett was iwriniless indeed; but she was richly endowed with all the gifts which make n woman charming. She was, without dispute, the- most charming, girl in the circle in which she lived and moved. Even certain of her elders, women of a larger experience, of a heavier caliber, as it were, and, thanks to their being mar ried ladies, of greater freedom of action, were practically not so charming as she. And yet, in her emulation of the social graces of these, her more fully licensed sis ters, Miss Everett was quite guiltless of any aberration from the strict lino of maidenly dignity. She professed an almost religious devotion to good taste, and she looked with horror iijwn the boisterous graces of many of her companions. Beside Iwing the most en tertaining girl in New York, she was, there fore, also the most irreproachable. Her beanty was, jicrhaps, contestable, but it was certainly uncontesteL She was the least bit below the middle height, and her person was marked by a great fullness and roundness of outline; and yet, in spite of tins comely ponderosity, her movements were perfectly light and elastic. In complexion, she was a genuine blonde a warm blonde; with a midsummer bloom upon her cheek, and the light of a midsummer sun wrought into her auburn hair. Her features were not cast ujk)u a classical model, but their expression was in the highest degree pleasing. Her forehead was low and broad, her nose small, and her mouth well, by the envious her mouth was called enormous. It is certain that it had an immense capacity for smiles, and that when she oieued it to sing (which sho did with in finite sweetness) it emitted a copious flood of sound. Her face was, perhaps, a triflo too circular, and her shoulders a tnlle too high; but, as I say, the general effect left nothing to lie desired. I might point out a dozen dis corils in the character of her face and figure, und yet utterly fail to invalidate the impres sion they produced. There is something es sentially uncivil, and, indeed, unphilosophi cal, in the attempt to verify or to ilisprove a woman's beauty in detail, and a man geti no more than he deserves when ho finds that, in strictness, the aggregation of the different features fails to make up tho total. Stand off, gentlemen, and let her make tho addition. Beside her beauty, Miss Everett shono by her good nature, and her lively perceptions. She neither made harsh speeches nor ro fceuted them; and, then, on tho other hand, sho keenly enjoyed intellectual cleverness, and even cultivated it Her great merit was that she made no claims or pretensions. Jut as there was nothing artilicial in her beauty, there was nothing jtedantic in her ncutoness and nothing sentimental in her nminliility. The one was all freshness and the others all bunhommie. John Lennox saw her, then loved her and offered her his hand. In accepting it Miss Everett acquired, in the world's eye, the ono udvantago which she lacked a complete stability and regularity of osition. Her friends took no small satisfaction in con trasting her brilliant and comfortable future with her soincu hat precarious past. Lennox, nevertheless, was congratulated on tho right hand und on the left; but none too often for his faith. That of Mis Everett was not put to so severe a test, although she was fro quently reminded by acquaintances of a mor alizing turn that she had reason to be very thankful for Mr. Iimox's choice. To theso assurances Marian listened with a look of patient humility winch was extremely be coming. It was as if for his sake she could consent even to Ihj bored. Within a fortnight after their engagement had I teen made known, both parties returned to New- York. Lennox lived, in a house of his own, which he now busied himself with repairing and refurnishing; for tho wedding had liee:i lixed for the end of Octoler. Miss Evcivtt lived in lodgings with her father, a decayed old gentleman, who rubbed his idle hands from morning till night over tho prospect of his daughter's marriage. John Lennox, habitually a man of numer ous resources, fond of reading, fond of music, fond of society, and not averse to politics, passed the iirst weeks of autumn in a restless, Cdgety manner. When a man approaches middle age he linds it difficult to wear grace f uuy the distinction of being engaged. Ho finds it difficult to discharge with becoming alacrity tho various pctits soins incidental to the position. There was a certain pathetic gravity, to thoso who knew him well, in Len nox's attentions. One-third of his time he spent in foraging Broadway, whence ho re turned half a dozen times a week, laden with trinkets and gimcracks, which ho always finished by thinking it puerile and brutal to offer his mistress. Another third he passed in Mr. Everett's drawing room, during which period Marian was denied to visitors. Tho rest of the time he Epent, as he told a friend, God knows how. This was stronger language than his friend expected to hear, for Lennox was neither a man of precipitate utterance, nor, in his friend's belief, of a strongly pas sionate nature. But it was evident that he was very much in love; orat least very much off his lialance. "When I'm with her it's all very well," ho pursued, "but when I'm away from her I feel as if I were thrust out of tho ranks of the living." "Well j-ou must be patient," said his friend; 'you're destined to live hard, yet." Lennox was silent, and his face remained rather more somber than the other liked to see it. "I hope there Is no particular difficulty," tho latter resumed; hoping to induce him to relieve himself of whatever weighed upon his consciousness. "I'm afraid sometimes I afraid sometimes she doesn't really love me." "Well, a little doubt does no harm. It's better than to be too sure of it, and to sink into fatuity. Only be sure you love her." "Yes," said Lennox solemnly, "that's the great point." One morning, unable to fix his attention on books and papers, he bethought himself of an expedient for passing an hour. He had made, at Newport, tho acquaint ance of a young artist named Gillert, for whose talent and conversation he had con ceived a strong relish. The painter, on leav ing Newport was to go to- the Adirondacks, and to be back in New York on Oct. 1, after which time he begged his friend to come and see him. It occurred to Lennox on tho morning I speak of that Gilbert must already have re turned to town, and would be looking for his visit. So ho f orth w ith reiaired to his studio. Gilbert's card was on the door, but, on en tering the room, Lennox found it occupied by a stranger a young man in painter's garb at work before a largo panel. He learned from this gentleman that he was a temporary sharer of Mr. Gilbert's studio, and that the latter had stepped out for a few moments. Lennox ac cordingly prepared to await his return. He entered into conversation with the young man, and, finding him very intelligent, as well as, apparently, a great friend of Gilbert, i wm iu FvJ ii J , i&mto $rs. vsif' he looked at him with some interest. He was of something less than SO, tail and robust, with a strong, joyoussensitive face, and a thick auburn beard. Lennox was struck with his face, which seemed both to express a great deal of human sagacity and to in dicate the essential temperament of a painter. "A man with that face," he said to himself, "does work at least worth looking at." He accordingly asked his companion if he might come and look at his picture. The lat ter readily assented, and Lennox placed him self before the canvas. It bore a representation of a half length female figure, in a costume and with an ex pression so ambiguous that Lennox remained uncertain whether it was a portrait or a work of fancy; a fair haired young woman, clad in a rich mediaeval dress, and looking like a countess of tho Renaissance. Her figure was relieved against a somber tapestry, her arms loosely folded, her head eret and her eyes on the spectator, toward whom she seemed to move "Dans un Hot de velours trainaut ses petits pieds." As Lennox inspected her face it seemed to reveal a hidden likeness to a face ho well knew the face of Marian Everett He was, of course, anxious to know whether the like ness was accidental or designed. "I take this to bo a portrait," be said to the artist, "a portrait 'in character.' " "No," said the latter, "it's a mere com position; a little from here and a little from there. The picture has lieen hanging about me for the last two or three j-ears, as a sort of receptacle of waste id2as. It has been the victim of innumerable theories and exJieri meuts. But it seems to hnvo survived them alL I suppose it possesses a certain amount of vitality." "Do you call it anything I" "Do you call it anythingf" "I called it originally after something I'd read Browning's poem, 'My Last Duchess.' Do you know its" "Perfectly." "I am ignorant of whether it's an attempt to embody the poet's impression of a portrait actually existing. But why should I care? This is simply an attempt to embody my own private impression of the poem, which bos always had a strong hold on my fancy. I don't know whether it agrees with your own impression and that of most readers. But I don't insist upon the name. The pos sessor of the picture is free to baptize it afresh." The longer Lennox looked at the picture the more he liked it, and the deeper seemed to bo the correspondence between the lady's expression and that with which he had in vested the heroine of Browning's lines. The less accidental, too, seemed that clement which Marian's face and the face on tho canvas possessed in common. He thought of tho great poet's noble lyric and of its exquis ite significance, and of tho physiognomy of the woman he loved having been chosen as the fittest exponent of that significance. He turned away his head; his eyes filled with tears. "If I were possessor of the pict ure," he said finally, answering the artist's last words, "I should feel tempted to call it by the name of a person of whom it very much reminds me." "Ah?" said Baxter; and then, after a pause "a person in New York?" It had happened a week before that, at her lover's request, Miss Everett had gone in his company to a photographer's, and had been photographed in a dozen different attitudes. The proofs of theso photographs had been cent home for Marian to choose from. Sho had made a choice of half a dozen or rather Lennox had made it, and the latter had put them in his jtockot, with the intention of stopping at the establishment and giving his orders. Ho now took out his pocket book and showed tho painter one of tho cards. "I find a great resemblance," said he, "be tween your Duchess and that young lady." The artist looked at the photograph. "If I am not mistaken," he said, after a pause, "the young lady is Miss Everett" Lennox nodded assent His comianion remained silent a few mo ments, examining the photograph with con siderable interest, but, as Lennox observed, without comparing it with his picture. "My Duchess very probably bears a certain resemblance to Miss Everett, but a not ex actly intentional one," he said at last "The picture was begun before 1 ever saw Miss E erett Miss Everett, as you see or as you know has a very charming face, and, during the few weeks in which I saw her, I con tinued to work upon it You know how a painter works how artists of all kinds work: they claim their property wherever they find it What I found to my purpose in Miss Everett's appearance I didn't hesitate to adopt, especially as I had been feeling about in tho dark for a type of countenance which her face effectually realized. The Duchess was on Italian, I take it Now, there is a decidedly southern depth and warmth of tono in Miss Everett's complexion, as well as that breadth and thickness of feature which is common in Italian women. You see the re semblance is much more a matter of typo than of expression. Nevertheless, I'm sorry if tho copy betrays tho original." "I doubt," said Lennox, "whether it would betray it to any other perception than mine. I have tho honor," he added, after a pause, "to be engaged to Miss Everett You will, therefore, excuse me if I ask whether you mean to sell your picture." "It's already sold to a lady," rejoined tho artist, with a smile; "a maiden lady, who is a great admirer of Browning." At this moment Gilbert returned. Tho two friends exclianged greetings, and their companion withdrew to a neighboring stu dio. After they had talked awhile of what had happened to each since they parted, Lennox spoke of tho painter of the Duchess and of his remarkable talent, expressing sur prise that ho shouldn't have heard of him before, and that Gilbert should never have spoken of him. "His name is Baxter Stephen Baxter," said Gilbert, "and until his return from Europe, a fortnight ago, I know little more about him than you. He's a case of improve ment I met him in Paris in 'C2; at that time he was doing absolutely nothing. - He has learned what you see in the interval. On arriving in New York he found it im possible to get a studio big enough to hold him. As, with my little sketches, I need only occupy ono corner of mine, I offered him the use of tho other three, until he should be able to bestow himself to his satisfaction. When he began to unpack his canvases I found I had been entertaining an angel unawares." Gilbert then proceeded to uncover, for Lennox's inspection, several of Baxter's por traits, both men and women. Each of these works confirmed, Lennox's im pression of the painter's power. He returned to the picture on the easel. Marian Everett reappeared at his silent call, and looked out of the eyes with a most pene trating tenderness and melancholy. "He may say what he pleases," thought Lennox, "the resemblance is, in some degree, also a matter of expression. Gilbert," he added, wishing to measure the force of the likeness, "whom does it remind you off "I know," said Gilbert, "of whom it re minds you." "And do you see it yourself j" "They are both handsome, and both have auburn hair. That's all I can see." Lennox was somewhat relieved. It was not without a feeling of discomfort a feel ing by no means inconsistent with his first moment of pride and satisfaction that he thought of Marian's peculiar and individual charms having been subjected to the keen appreciation of another than himself. He was glad to be able to conclude that the painter had merely been struck with what was most superficial in her appearance, and that his own imagination supplied the rest It occurred to him, as be walked home, that it would be a not unbe coming tribute to the young girl's loveliness on bis own part, to cause her portrait to be painted by tUis clever young man. Their engagement naa as yet oeen an affair or pure sentiment, and he had taken an almost fastidious core not to give himself the vulgar appearance of a mere purveyor of luxuries and pleasures. Practically, he had been as yet for his future wife a poor man or rather a man, pure and simple, and not a million aire. He had ridden with her, he had sent her flowers, and he had gone with her to the opera. But he had neither sent her sugar plums, nor made bets with her, nor made her presents of jewelry. Miss Everett's female friends had remarked that he hadn't as yet given her the least little bethrothal ring, either of pearls or of diamonds. Marian, however, was quite content She was, by nature, a great artist in the raise en scene of emotions, and she felt instinctively that this classical moderation was but tho converse presentment of an immense matrimonial abundance. In his attempt to make it im possible that his relations with Miss Everett should bo tinged in any degree with tho acci dental condition of tho fortunes of either party, Lennox had thoroughly understood his own instinct He kuov that he should some day feel a strong and irresistible impulse to offer his mistress somo visi ble and artistic token of his affection, and that his gift would convey a greater sat isfaction from being solo of its kind. It seemed to him now that his chance had come. What gift could be more delicate than tho gift of an opportunity to contribute by her patlcuco and good will to her husband's pos session of a perfect likeness of her face? On that same evening Lennox dined with his future father-in-law, as it was his habit to do once a week. "Marian," he said, in the course of tho din ner, "I saw this morning an old friend of yours." j "Ah," said Marian, "who was thatf I "Mr. Baxter, the painter." . j Marian changed color ever so little; no more, indeed, than was natural to an honest surprise. Marian changed color ever so little. Her surprise, however, could not have been great, inasmuch as she now said that she had seen his return to America men tioned in a newspaper, and as she knew that Lennox frequented the society of artists. "Ho was well, I hope," sho added "and pros perous." "Where did you know this gentleman, my dear?" asked Mr. Everett "I knew him in Europe two years ago first in the summer in Switzerland and after ward in Paris. He is a sort of cons in of Mrs. Denbigh." Mrs. Denbigh was a lady in whoso company Marian had recently spent a year in Europe a widow, rich, childless, nn invalid and an old friend of her mother. "Is ho always painting i" "Apparently, and extremely well. Ho has two or three as good portraits there as one may reasonably expect to see. And he has, moreover, a certain picture which reminds me of you." "His 'Last Duchess J1 "asked Marian, with some curiosity. "I should like to soo it. If you think it's liko me, John, you ought to buy it up." "I wanted to buy it, but it's sold. You know it then?' "Yes, through Mr. Baxter himself. I saw it in its rudimentary state, when it looked liko nothing that I should caro to look liko. I shocked Mrs. Denbigh very much by telling him I was glad it was his 'last' Tho picture indeed, led to our acquaintance." 'And not vice versa," said Mr. Everett, facetiously. "How vice versa?" asked Marian, inno cently. "I met Mr. Baxter for the first timo at a party in Rome." "I thought you said you met him in Switz erland," said Lennox. "No, in Rome. It was only two days be fore we left He was introduced to mo with out knowing I was with Mrs. Denbigh, and indeed without knowing that she had been in the city. He was very shy of Americans. Tho first thing ho said to me was that I looked very much like a picture he had been painting." "That you realized his ideal, eta" "Exactly, but not at all in that sentimental tone. I took him to Mrs. Denbigh; ttaey found they were sixth cousins by marriage; he camo to see us the next day, and insisted upon us going to his studio. It was a miser able place. I believe he was very poor. At least Mrs. Denbigh offered him some money, and ho frankly accepted it She attempted to spare his sensibilities by telling him that, if he liked, he could paint her a picturo in re- ( turn. He said he would if he had time. , Later, he camo up into Switzerland, and tho ', following winter we met him in Paris." I If Lennox had had any mistrust of Miss , Everett's relations with the painter, tho man ner in which she told her little story would havo effectually blighted it He forthwith proposed that, in consideration not only of the young man's great talent, but of his actual knowledge of her face, ho should be invited to paint her portrait Marian assented without reluctance and without alacrity, and Lennox laid his propo sition before the artist The latter requested a day or two to consider, and then replied (by note) that he would bo happy to under take the task. Miss Everett expected that, in view of the projected renewal of their old acquaintance, Stephen Baxter would call upon her, under the auspices of her lover. He called in effect, alone, but Marian was not at home, and he failed to repeat tho visit. The day for the first sitting was therefore appointed through Lennox. The artist bad not yet obtained a studio of his own, and the latter cordially offered him the momentary use of a spacious and well lighted apartment in his house, which had been in tended as a billiard room, but was not yet fitted up. Lennox expressed no wishes with regard to the portrait, being content to leave the choice of position and costume to the parties immediately interested. He found the painter perfectly well acquainted with Marian's "points," and he had an implicit confidence in her own good taste. Miss Everett arrived on the morning ap pointed, under her father's escort, Mr. Kverett, who prided himself largely upon doing things in proper form, having caused himself to be introduced before hand to tho painter. Between tho latter and Marian there was a brief exchange of civilities, after which they addressed themselves to business. Miss Everett professed the most cheerful deference to Baxter's wishes and fancies, at the same time that she made no secret of possessing a number of strong convictions as to what should be attempted and what should be avoided. It was no surprise to the young man to find her convictions sound and her wishes thoroughly sympathetic. He found himself called upon to make no compromise with stubborn and unnatural prejudices, nor to sacrifice his best intentions to a short sighted vanity. Whether Miss Everett was vain or not need not here be declared. She had at least the wit to perceive that the interests of an enlightened sagacity would best be served by a painting which should be good from the painter's point of view, inasmuch as these are tho painting's chief end. I may add, moreover, to her great credit, that she thor oughly understood how great an artistic merit should properly attach to a picture executed at the behest of a pas sion, in order that it should be anything more than a mockerj a parody of the duration of that passion; and that sho knew instinctively that there is nothing so chilling to an artist's heat as the interference of illogical self interest, either on his own be half or that of another. Baxter worked firmed and rapidly, and at the end of a couple of hours he felt that he had begun his picture. Mr. Everett, as he sat by, threatened to be a bore; laboring apparently under the impression that it was hisVluty to begaile the session with cheap aesthetic small talk. But Marian good humoredly took the painter's share of the dialogue, and he was not diverted from his work. The next sitting was fixed for the morrow. Marian wore the dress which she bad agreed upon with the painter, and in which, as in her position, the "picturesque" element had been religiously suppressed. Sho read in Baxter's eyes that she looked supremely beautiful, and sho saw that his fingers tingled to attack his subject But she caused Lennox to be sent for, under the pretense of obtain ing his adhesion to her dress. It was black, and ho might object to black. He came and sho read in his kindly eyes an augmented edition of the assurance conveyed in Baxter's. He was enthusi astic for tho black dress, which, in truth, seemed only to confirm and enrich, like a grave maternal protest, tho young girl's look of undiminished youth. " 1 expect you," he said to Baxter, "to make a masterpiece.' "Never fear," said the painter, tapping his forehead. "It's made." On this second occasion, Mr. Everett, ex hausted by the intellectual strain of the pre ceding day, and encouraged by his luxurious chair, sank into a tranquil sleep. His com panions remained for somo time, listening to his regular breathing; Marian with her eyes patiently fixed on the opiwsite wall, and the young man with his glftnco mechanically traveling between his figure and the can vas. At last ho fell back several paces to survey his work. Marian moved her eyes, and they met his own. "Well, Miss Everett," said tho painter, in accents which might have been tremulous if ho had not exerted a strong effort to make them firm. "Well, Mr. Baxter," said the j'oung girl. And the two exchanged a long, firm glance, which at last ended in a smile a smile which belonged decidedly to tho family of tho famous laugh of the two angels behind the altar in the temple. "Well, Miss Everett," said Baxter, going back to liis work, "such is life!" "So it appears," rejoined Marian. And then, after a pause of some moments: " Wiiy didn't you come and see me?" sho added. "I came and you weren't at homo." "Why didn't you como again?" "What was tho use, Miss Everett!" "It would simply have been more decent We might havo becomo reconciled." "We seem to have done that as it is." "I mean 'in form.' " "That would havo been absurd. Don't you see how true an instinct I had? What could have lieon easier than our meeting? I assure you that I should have found any talk about the past, and mutual assurances or apologies extreme's' disagreeable?" Miss Everett raised her eyes from tho flooi and fixed them on her companion with r deep, half reproachful glanos. "Is the past, then," she asked, "so utterly disagreeable?'' Baxter stared, half amazed. "Good heav ens!" he cried, "of course it Is." Mis? Everett dropped her eyes and re mained silent. I may as well tike advantage of the mo ment, rapidly to mako plain to tho reader the events to which the above conversation refsrs. Miss Everett bad found it expedient, all things considered, not to tell her intended husband the whole story of her acquaintance with Stephen Baxter; and when I have re paired her omissions, the reader will probably justify her discretion. She had, as she said, met this young man for the first timo at Rome, and there in the course of two interviews had made a deep impression upon his heart He had felt that he would give a great deal to meet Mi- Everett again. Their reunion in Switzerland was therefore not entirely fortuitous; and it had Iiecn the moro easy for Baxter to mako it issible, for the reason that he was able to claim a kind of roundabout relationship with Mrs. Denbigh, Marian's companion. With this lady's permission ho hao attached him self to their part-. Ho had made their route of travel his own, ho had stopped when they stopped and been prodigal of attentions and civilities. Before a week was over Mrs. Den bigh, who was the soul of confiding good nature, exulted in the discovery of an invalu able kinsman. Thanks not only to her natur ally unexacting disposition, but to the apathetic and inactive habits induced by constant physical suffering, sho proved a very insignificant third in her companions' spending of tho hours. How delightfully these hours were spent it requires no great effort to imagine. A suit conducted in the midst of tho most romantic scenery in Euroiw is already half won. Marian's social graces were largely enhanced by the satisfaction which her innate intelligence of natural beauty enabled her to take in tuo magnificent scenery of the Aljis. She had never ap peared to such advantage; she had never known such perfect freedom and frankness and gayety. For tho first time in her life she had made a captive without f.usj)eetiiig it Sho had surrenders! her heart to the mountains and the lakes, tho eternal snows and the pastoral valleys, and Baxter, stand ing by, had intercepted it. He felt his long projected Swiss tour vastly magnified and Iteautified by Miss Everett's part in it ly the constant feminine sympathy which gushed within earshot, with the coolness and clearness of a mountain spring. Oh! if only it too had not been fed by the eternal snowsl And then her beauty her indefatigable beauty was a continual enchantment Miss Everett looked so thoroughly in her place in a drawing room that it was almost logical tc suppose that she looked well nowhere else. But in fact, as Baxter learned, sho looked quite well enough in the character of w hat ladies call a "fright" that is, sunburned, travel stained, over heated, exhilarated and hungry to elude all invidious comparisons. At tho end of three weeks, one morning as they stood together on the edge of a falling torrent, high above the green concavities of On the edge of a falling torrent fcia hills, Baxter felt himself irresistibly urged to make a declaration. The thunder ous noiso of tho cataract covered all vocal utterance; so, taking out his sketch book, he wrote three short words on a blank leaf. He handed her the book. Sho read his message with a beautiful change of color and a single rapid glance at his face. She then tore out the leaf. "Don't tear it up!" cried the young man. She understood him by the movement of his lips and shook her head with a smile. But she stooped, picked up a little stone, and wrapping it in the bit of paper, prepared to toss it into the torrent Baxter, uncertain, put out his hand to take it from her. Sho passed it into the other hand and gave him the one ho bad attempted to take. Sho threw away the paper, bet ahe let him him keep her hand. Baxter had still a week at his disposal, and Marian made it a very happy one. Mrs. Denbigh was tired; they- had come to a halt, and there was no interruption to their being together. They talked a great deal of the long future, which, on getting beyond the sound of the cataract, they had expeditiously agreed to pursue in common. It was their misfortuneboth to bo poor. They determined, in view of this circum stance, to say nothing of their engagement until Baxter, by dint of hard work, should have at least quadrupled his income. This was cruel, but it was imperative, and Marian made no complaint. Her residence in Europe had enlarged her conception of the ma terial needs of a pretty woman, and it was quite natural that she should not, close upon the heels of this experience, desire to rush into marriage with a poor artist At tho end of some days Baxter started for Germany and Holland, portions of which he wished to visit for purposes of study. Mrs. Denbigh and her young friend repaired to Paris for Jho winter. Here, in tho middle of February, they were rejoined by Baxter, who had achieved his German tour. He had received, while absent, five little letters from Marian, full of affection. The number was small, but the young man detected in the very temperance of his mis tress a certain delicious flavor of implicit constancy. She received him with all the frankness and sweetness that he had a right to expect, and listened with great interest to bis accountpf the improvement in his oros- pects. He had sold three of his Italian pict ures and had made an invaluable collection of sketches. He was on the high road to wealth and fame, and there was no reason their engagement should not be announced. But to this latter proposition Marian de murred demurred so strongly, and yet on grounds so arbitrary, that a somewhat pain ful scene ensued. Stephen left her, irritated and perplexed. The next day when he called, sho was unwell and unablo to see him; and the next, and tho next On tho evening of the day that he had made his third fruitless call at Mrs. Denbigh s, he overheard Marian's name mentioned at a large party. The in terlocutors were Vro elderly women. On giving his attention to their talk, which they wero taking no pains to keep private, he found that his mistress was under accusal of having trifled with tho affections of an un happy young man, the only son of ono of the ladies. There was apparently uo lack of evi dence or of facts which might bo. construed as evidence. Baxter went home, la mort dans 1'ame, rind on tho following day called again on Mrs. Di'.'i'rih. Marian was still in her room, but the former lady received htm. Stephen was in a great trouble, but his mind was lucid, and ho addressed himself to the uisk of interrogating his hostess. Mrs. Den bigh, with her habitual indolence, had re mained unsuspicious of the terms on which tho young people stood. "I'm sorry to say," Baxter began, "that I heard Miss Everett accused last evening of very sad conduct" "Ah, for heaven's sake, Stephen," returned his kinswoman, "don't go back to that I've done nothing all winter but defend and pal liate her conduct It's hard work. Don't make me do it for you. You know her as well as I do. Sho was indiscreet, but I know she is iieuiteut, and for that matter sho is well out of it. He was by no means a desir able young man." "The lady whom I heard talking about the matter," said Stephen, "spoke of him in the highest terms. To be sure, as it turned out, she was his mother." "nis mother? You're mistaken. His mother died ten years ago." Baxter folded his arms with a feeling that he needed to sit firm. "AHons," said he, "of whom do you speak?" "Of young Mr. King." "Good heavens,' cried Stephen. "So there are two of them?" "Pray, of whom do you speak?" "Of a certain Mr. Young. Tho mother Is a handsome old woman, with white curls." "You don't mean to say that there has been anything between Marian and Frederic Young?" "Voila! I only repeat what I hear. It seems to mo, my dear Mrs. Denbigh, thnt you ought to know." Mrs. Denbigh shook her head with a melan choly movement "I'm sure I don't," she said. "I give it up. I don't pretend to judge. The manners of young people to each other are very different to what they wero in my day. Ono doesn't know whether they mean nothing or everything." "You know, at least, whether Mr. Young has been in your drawing roomP "Oh, yes, frequently. I am very sorry that Marian is talked about It's veryVanpleasaut for me. But what can a sick woman do?" "Well," said Stephen, "so much for Mr. Young. And now for Mr. King." "Mr. King is gone home. It's a pity he ever camo away." "In what sense." "Oh, bo's a silly fellow. He doesn't under stand young girls?" "Upon my word," said Stephen, "with ex pression," as tho music sheets say, "ho might be very wise and not do that" "Not but that Marian was injudicious. Sho meant only to bo unliable, but she went too far. Sho became adorable. The first thing she knew he was holding her to an ac count." "Is he goxl looking?" "Well enough." "And rich?" "Very rich, I believe." "And tho other?" "What other Marian?" "No, no; your friend Young." "Yes, he's quite handsome." "And rich, too?" "Yes, I believe he's nlso rich." Baxter was silent a moment "And there's no doubt," ho resumed, "that they wero both far gone.'" "I can only answer for Mr. King." "Well, I'll answer for Mr. Youn. His mother wouldn't have talked as she did un less she'd seen her sou suffer. After all, then, it's perhaps not no much to Marian's discredit Here are two handsome young millionaires, madly smitten. She refuses them both. She doesn't caro for good looks and money." "I don't say that," said Mrs. Denbigh, sa gaciously. "She doesn't care for those things alone. Sho wants talent, and all the rest of it. Now, if you wero only rich, Stephen" added the good lady, innocently. Baxter took up his hat. "When you wish to marry Miss Everett," ho said, "you must nka good caro not to say too much about Mr. King and Mr. Young. Two days after this interview he had a conversation with tho young girl in person. The reader may like him less for his easily shaken confidence, but it is a fact that he had been unuble to mako light of these lightly mado revelations. For him his lovo had been a passion; for her, ho was com piled to believo, it bad been a vulgar pas time. He was a man of violent temper; he went straight to the point "Marian," he said, "you havo been de ceiving me." Marian knew very well what he meant; she knew very well that she had grown weary of her engagement and that, however little of a fault her conduct bad been to Messrs. Young and King, it had been an act of grave disloyalty to Baxter. Sho felt that tho blow was struck and that their engagement was clean broken. Sho knew that Stephen would le satisfied with no half excuses or half de nials; and she had none others to give. A hundred such would not mako a perfect con fession. Making no attempt, therefore, to save her "prospects," for which she had ceased to care, sho merely attempted to save her dignity. Her dignity for tho moment was well enough secured by her natural half cynical coolness of temper. But this same vulgar placidity left in Stephen's memory an impression of heartlessness and shallowness, which in that particular quarter, at least, was destined to be forever fatal to her claims to real weight and worth. She denied the young man's right to call her to account and to interfere with her conduct; and she almost anticipated his proosal that they should consider their engagement at an end. Sho even declined the use of the simple logic of tears. Under these circumstances, of course, tho interview was not of long dura tion. "I regard you," said Baxter, as ho stood on the threshold, "as the most superficial, most heartless of women." He immediately left Paris and went down into Spain, where ho remained till the open ing of the summer. In tho month of May Mrs. Denbigh and her protege went to Eng land, where the former, through her hus band, possessed a number of connections, and where Marian's thoroughly un-English beauty was vastly admired. In September they sailed for America. About a year and a half, therefore, had elapsed between Bax ter's separation from Miss Everett and their meeting in New York. (To be Continued.) To Attain a lon Life. Tho sum and substance of all tho ad vice that can bo given on that point is that a man must avoid excesses, ho must live rationally, according to tho laws of his being. You cannot get two quarts of milk in a quart jug. You can only secure a certain amount of happiness in this world, and you can only secure it accord ing to good old fashioned notions, founded on common sense, virtuo and morality. Millions havo tried their own foolish and vicious ways of reaching the goal, but the world lias nover reported that they have been successful. P. T. Barnum In tha Epoch. What Is Electricity? Electricity is another substance concern ing tho nature of which we know abso lutely nothing. To the question: What is electricity? there Is but one unswer: We do not kuow. We do know what it will do, and can make It serve ns in an Infinite variety of ways; but tho most learned electrician is only in the same position as that of a little child who can move the lever which controls a great engine, but knows nothing of its construction, or how the motion is produced. Popular Scien.ce To Save Life Frequently requires prompt action. Am hoar's delay waiting for the doctor may be attended with serious consequences, especially in cases of Croup, Pneumonia, and other throat and lung troubles. Hence, no family should be without a bottle of Ayeis Cherry Pectoral, which has proved itself, in thousands of cases, the best Emergency Medicine ever discovered. It gives prompt relief and prepares the way for a thorough cure, which is certain to be effected by its continued use. S. H. Latimer, M. D., Mt. Vernon, Ga., says: " I havo found Ayer's Cherry Pectoral a perfect cure for Croup in all cases. I have known the worst cases relieved in a very short time by its use; and I advise all families to use it in sud den emergencies, for coughs, croup, &c." A. J. Eidson, M. D., Middlctown, Tenn., says: "I have used Ayer's Cherry Pectoral with the best effect in my practice. This wonderful prepara tion once saved my life. I had a con stant cough, night sweats, was greatly reduced in flesh, and given up by my hysician. One bottle and a half of the ectoral cured me." "I cannot say enough in praise of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral," writes E. Bragdon, of Palr-stine, Texas, "believ ing as I do that, but for its use, I should long since have died." Ayer's Cherry Pectoral, PREPARED BY Or. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass. Sold by all Druggists. Price 11; IxbotUca.SS. Worth Yonr Attention. Cut this or.t and mail it to Allen & Co., An gssta, Maine, who will send you free, something new, that just coias moey fur all workers. Ah wonderful as the electric light, an genuine as pnre gold, it will prove of lifelong value and importance to yon. Both uexes, all ages. Allen & Co. bear expense of starting you in hnsiuess. It will bring you in more cash, right away, than anything else in tbia world. Anyone anywhere can do tho wrk, and live at home also. Better write at onco; then, knowing all, should you conclude that you don't care to engage, why no harm is done. 4-1 y Ho thnt losoth is merchant as well as he that gains. Burklen'.s Arnica Salve. Tite Best Salve in the world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Erup tions, and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction, or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by Dowty & Becher. jnly27 All things in their being aro good for something. An Alixolute Cure. The ORIGINAL ABIETINE OINT MENT is only put up in large two-ounce tin boxes, and is an absolute cure for old sores, burns, wounds, chapped hands and all kinds of skin eruptions. Will positively cure all kinds of piles. Aak for the ORIGINAL ABITINE OINTMENT Sold by Dowty & Becher at 23 cents per box bv mail 30 cents. many BARGAINS. Be press a ruby On her lips, whossbumlng blood shonathrsugh; Twin sapphires bound above her eyes, to match their fiery blue; Asd, where her hair was parted back, an opal gem he set Typo of her changing countenance, where all delights were met. "Will you surrender now," he said, "tho ancient grudge you keep Untiring and unuttered, like murder In the deep!' "I thank you for the word," she said; "your genu are fair of form But when did Jewels bind the depths, or splendors still the storm? Theru Is no diamond in the mine, nor pearl be neath tho wave. There is no fretted coronet that soothes a princely grave. There Is nor fate nor empire In the wide Infinity, Can stand In grace and virtue with the gift you had from me.'' Driving: Away a Pickpocket. "Ilere comes that blackguard, English," said a detective in Park row, as a well dressed man approached. When the per son thus harshly characterized caught sight of the detective the latter signaled him and said, with great show of anger, "English, if you don't getaway from here I'll kick you from one end of tho block to tho other." "All right, captain; all right," said English, meekly. "I'll go." and go h did. English Is a notorious pickpocket, who bights his victims In Park row, fol lows them up and robs them at leisure. He and his fellows do nothing in Park row for which they can be arrested, and the only resource of the detective Is to drive them from tho street with threats The other day tho crowd in Ann street just off Park row was astonished to see a littlo man approach a big man, and with a single blow knock him into the gutter. The big man rose, caught sight of his as sailant, threw up his hands in a depreca tory fashion and took to his heels. The little man was a detective and the big one was a pickpocket who had not left Park row with sufficient haste. New York Press. Xot Altogether Complimentary. The not Inconsiderable writing frater nity will understand tho situation and the mental processes that led us to commit a griovous faux pas in our office the other day. A young friend who had strolled in proudly exhibited his latest poetical triumph, a pretty song that might reason ably inspire its author with hopes of a foothold on the slippery slopes of Parnas sus. He informed us that he was to send It to one of the leading magazines. Wo expressed confidence in its future, and the poet beamed but alas for our well meant endeavors to encourage aspiring genius, we remarked as he turned to go, "Where do you intend to send it first?" Of course such a query could only bo evolved from the depths of a live experienco with tho way of an editor and his "unavailables," not, unhappily, all acquired in this office. Boston Commonwealth. Talking in Opera Boxes. In German opera the orchestral part and the choruses and declamatory sections are just as important as the lyric numbers, and many of the most exquisite passages In the operas of Weber and Wagner aro a kind of superior pantomime music during which no voice at all is heard on the stage. Now I am convinced that much of the fplk'ng in opera boxes is simply duo to Ignorance of this fact. Vocal music la much more readily appreciated thanjn strumental music, and thoso who' have no ear for instrumental measures do not realize that others are enraptured by them. Hence they talk as soon as tho singing ceases, unconscious of the fact that they are greatly annoying thoso who wish to listen to the orchestra. Henry T. Finck In the Cosmopolitan. The Right Color. Waiter Isn't that a splendid wine? Guest It has a fine flavor. The color pleases me very much. Waiter1 I should smile May be the boss didn't have a timo getting it up to that color. He had to ransack all tha drug stores in town. Texas Slftings. la Cod Uver OIL Professor Poel, of St. Petersburg, has found 60 per cent, of petroleum In the cod liver oil sold by one druggist, the adulter ated article having the taste, smell and annearance of the genuine. Mineral oil la frequently found in olive oil. Arkansaw Traveler. The Importing Draft Horse Co. LINCOLN, SeL3r?sssssssssssssssssssssssM -i sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssV-stl? sSi ' IOKBKmKKm SsssssxL'BsssssssssssssVsjssiKVb? - SssssswPKVV??v3H "" 9fB&JS3ttiBWl!MKmr'' !FfsPHsPWPLssssssss?C"'r .iSK'lfJK: " .LsssssssssVA JL:e29lt9iBBlm2-r.B. Si - aBsiHBBBJ JSk Btsk b&a BssssssssssVTbsBhziZlJ ?Bv?E l -- BsrBsssssssssV V. -ir-i '1VrssK' sssssssssssssstV' VV' TXfJ 1-sl-'s" " rpr y j isssssssssssVPsRilBssslllSssmBrr L'MZLMMtkttKUBOXSlLr WsssTisssssssssssV -i: ?ITBBbPI"sA dElrMJr1! HB Bt BTBbVX r T A7BBsKss9BBsfJlBBSsssssfaU SssfsfM -- iT. ibBMBBBSslssBBsssssfJfafsBssMr IMPOItTEUS Oi Pure-bred French Draft (Percheron or Norman) AND ENGLISH SHIRE HORSES. VbiCuraulnaysvrvIcor.lv. Call anil toe our lior-x-t or KT.d f or catnloRim. HENDERSON ,09 A 111 W. Kinth St.. KANSAS CITY. HO. Th only Specialist is the City mho is a Regular Graduate in Medicine. Over 20 years' Practice, 12 years in Chicago. THE OLDEST IR AGE, AND L0N6EST LOCATED. ,BN Authorized by the State to treat mA. Chronic. Nervous and "Special Dis .Bf'3 . eases," Seminal Weakness (miAt BBEbk atoj).Sexual Debility (fou--ral AbBBB' Jflpou'er), Nervous Debility. Poisoned BBBBBsK Blood.UIcera andSwelllnRs of every BBBBBBP kind. Urinary Diseases, and In fact, BsssssBsr all troubles or diseases in either ssssss male or female. Cures guaranteed or money refunded. Charges low. Thousands of cases cured. Kxperience Is important. All medi cines are guaranteed to be pure and efficacious. being compounded In my perfectly nppolnted laboratory, and are furnished ready for use. No running to drug stores to have uncertain pie criptlons filled. No mercury or Injurious medi cines used. No detention from business. Patients at a distance treated by letter and express, medi cines sent everywhere free from gaze or break age. State your case and send for terms, con sultation free and confidential, personally or by letter. A M page TfAflir For Both Sexes, sent Illustrated wWi sealed in plain envelope forte, in stamps. Kvery male, from the age of IS to 43, should read this book. RHEUMATIS THE HEAT TURKISH RHEUMATIC CORE. A POSITIVE CUBK for RHEUMATISM. I SSO titu;cue iMa treatment foil to I cure or help. GrtmtMt dbooTery la ann&W I oi meaicue. one ao flte rrurr ; a rew doora remoTaa fcnr and aln la joluu : Core completed to 5 to T dj. Send irate-1 aunt of cae with ittop for Circular. I Call, or addrni I Dr.HENDEHSON,l09W.9UiSt..KniatCity,Mo- Don't Experiment. You cannot afford to waste timo ox perimentinj; when your hins aro hi danger. Consumption always eviiis ;l first, only a cold. Do not ier:iiil any dealer to imposo upon you with sim cheap imitation of Dr. Kind's Ntnv J)i--covery for consumption, couyhs ami colds, but be sure you got the otium. Eecause he can mako more profit h nrij toll you he has something just as good or just the same. Don't 1k dici-ive.l, but insist upon getting Dr. Kind's .Ww Dibcovery, which is guaranteed to give relief in all throat, lung and chest af fections. Trial bottles Tree at Dowty A Becher's drug store. Large hot lies 1. To a good spender Clod is the treasur er. IJooil Wap" Ahead. (i'orj; StiiiMm it Co., Portland, Miiinc, can nive jon work that you can do and lire at home, mnkint; Kivat pay. You ar Martetl fre-. Capi tal not nettle!. ISoth texes. Alia'-. Cut this out and write at once; no liatm will I- don if you conclude not to K to work, after you learn all. All iarticnlars fre. Ut-t tninK work in this world. l-ly On a good bargain think twice. Whooping Cough may be kept under complete control and all danger avoided by frequent doses of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. No better treatment ran be prescribed for it. Sold by Dowt j & Becher; One pair of ears draws dry a hundred tongues. The True 3lolIio,I C'f curing habitual constipation, and Jiver and kidney ills, is to avoid the use of the bitter drastic liver medicines and cathartics, and take the only pleasant liquid fruit remedy. Syrup of Figs. It cleanses as well as strengthens the sys tem, and does not leave the bowels cos tive,eo that, regular habits may be form ed, and the invalid presently restored to health. It acts promptly and effective ly; it is easily taken, and perfectly harm le6s. For sale only by Dowty & IJechor. Ono fool makes a hundred. Try Moore's headache cure, it beats tho world. For sale bv Dr. A. lleintz. Living well is the lest revenge. A Sound I.eu.il Opinion. E. Cambridge Mini. lay. Ij- , Cii:; Attorney, Clay county. Tc.,s:- "Ms used Electric IJitters with ;i l li-'j'i results. My brother ah wa-i r t" with malarial fever and jaundicf ' was cured by timely use of lhi- m I: cine. Am satisfied Electric P.itt r saved my life." Mr. D. I. Wilcowson. of !f..re t' ' Ky., adds a like testimony, -oi'i :' positively believes h would h; e i e ! had it not been for Electric I'-itt rs. This great remedy will waul "IT. : well as cure Malarial Diseases, ai.d . all Kidney, Liver and Stomach l)isr ders stands uneqnaled. Price f0 cents, and 81 at Dowty & Beeher's. Ono enemy is too much. Nipped In the Hud. Is it not better to nip consumption, the greatest scourgo of humanity, in tho bud, than to try to stay its progress on the brink of the gravo? A few doses'of California's most useful production, SANTA ABIE, the king of consumption, will relieve and a thorough treatment will cure. Nasal Catarrh, too often th forerunner of consumption, can be cure 1 bv CALIFORNIA CAT R-CURE. Thes? remedies aro sold and fully warranto 1 bv Dowtv & Becher at SI, or three for Sl'.50. J Under water, famine; under snow, bread. I am selling "Moore's Tree of Life'' and it is said to give tho very best satis- J faction. Dr. A. lleintz. 30 fim:J A fair death honors the whole lire. A knoiTi -a s i fii t i- 1 1 x a i find L-1 i I n v troubles, constipation, sick and nervous headache and all blood diseases is 'Moore's Tree of Lire." Try it. Sold by Dr. A. Heintz. One flower makes no garland. Mr. C. W. Battell a traveling man rep resenting Messrs. S. Col ins, Son & Co., printing inks, Xew York, after sitlTering iutensly for two or three days with lame-1 ness of the shoulders and back, com pletely cured it witli two applications of , Chamberlain's Pain Balm. It cures lameness and rheumatism when all other treatment fails. Guaranteed and sold by Dowty & Becher. kT 1 NEBRASKA. FAMILY : JOURNAL. A Weekly Newspaper issued every Wednesday. .'52 Columns of reading matter, eon- sstiiiot' Nebraska State News Items, Selected Stories anil Miseellany. JiVSaniple copies wnt rrv tn anj nddn -."S:Z Subscription price, SI a year, in idvance. Address: M. K. Tckxhu .v Co., Columbus, Platte Co., Nebr. LOUIS SCHBEIBEK. All kinds of Repairing done on Short Notice. Huggies, Wag ons, etc., made to order, and all work (iiiar anteed. Also sell the world-famous Walter A. Wood Mowers, Reapers, Combin ed Machines, Harvesters, and Self-hinders the best made. B7"Shnp opposite the " Tattersall," ou Olive St.. COLUMBUS. 'JG-m Health is Wealth ! Du. K. C. West's Nekvk and IIilms Tkkat- jiejjt, a Kuarnnteeri t-jw-ciGe for Hysteria, Dizzi- ' net-H, Convultions, Fits, Nervous Neuralgia. Ileaikiclie. NVrvonri Prostration canned bythtu of alcohol or tobacco, Wakefnlne-n, Mental Ue pressum. Softening of the 15rain re-tiltinsc in in sanity and leading to misery, decay and death. Prematura Old Aire. Harrennef. I.o-s of jxmer in either sex. Involuntary l.wrert and Spenmat orrhd'.'i canned jiy ove r-oxertion of the lraiii,"-elf-abuse or over indulgence. Each box contains one month's treatment. $1.00 a box, or nix loxes for ir,.u,wnt by mail prepaid on receipt of price. WE GUARANTEE SIX BOXES To cure any case. it ti ea-li order receivnl by iir for fix boxes, accompanied with $'tj, we will wnd the purchaser our written guarante to re fund the money if the treatment does not effect a cure. Guarantees issned only by Dowry X. Hecher, dmKKibtn, sole agents, Columbus, Neb. deci'flTy LAND lor RENT! We will rent for one jear, to tho hfchebt bid der, all of Mftion thirteen ll.tl excep'inu tho W'iiifNW'i of town eighteen llsi north, of rarwono jn west. Any one detdriiiK to rent the same will please write to us at Kewaunee, Wisconsin. HANEY BROS. llmarSm It I All I If REWARDED an- th. Ullll Wwho rend tins and then act. nllini I they will find honorable em Ill VI Ik I plovmeut that will not take, them from their homes ami families. Tli profits anj lanje and sure for every industrious Ihtmui. many have made anil are now- making several hundred dollars a month. It is eay for any one to make $." and upwards per day. who is willing to work. Kither sex, jonnic or old; capi tal not iKstieii: we siart jou. l'.erttiinic new; So special ability require!; you, reaucr, can Io it as well as any one. Write to us at once for full iiarticulars. which we mail free. Addn-ea Stinon &. Co., 1'ortland, Me. dec'iiy SWmXovs, Ah, BlSSES-'THWT-y ana 'JJUNG-S r-Sold an VJ cn.cl for Circu(jr.5li&irkmt3Er9t- ABIETINE ,lEDUuorWiiLi: cau lJ L hj AC thcONLY- qUANTEED CURE roi? ,SEa m CUCucAii CATARRH IBONEMCttCaVOHOVlLLE CAL SIMTIIBIE CAT-R-CURE tOKSALEBY DOWTY fc BECIIER. Trade supplied by the H. T. Clabk Dbco Co., Lincoln, Neb. 7marS8-lr. BlacKsmilh and Wimon Maker 111111 v ?- X "V c- TCai'fJfcST