Life — September 12, 1895 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE IMPRESSIONIST AND THE WIDOWED LADY-III. 46 WELL, you see I've come!” I said as 1 entered. “Yes, so I perceive,” she replied, with a very conventional smile.‘ Won't you sit down.” “ Really,” 1 answered, feeling a little chilled by this reception ; ‘really I expected a some- what different greeting than simply to be asked to sit down.” “Oh, well, then,” she smiled, “ stand.” “I refer to your manners,” I argued, “but you ask me to sit down, as if I were an ordinary visitor, and only expected to stay a few minutes.” “And how long do you intend to remain ?” This was a poser. “1 only ask," she continued, * because I shall beg you to stay it—three hours, four hours, or whatever it may be !" “Suppose it were not three hours, or four hours—suppose I had come to stay forever !" “Oh, in that case,” and she laughed, “1 certainly wouldn't ask you to sit down 1” “ What would you do?” What weuld I do! I think I should call in the police! Because really you know 1 couldn't have you staying here always. What would my sister-in-law say 1” “Am [ to take that seriously ?" ** As seriously as I take you.” “« But I want you to,” I pleaded. “Want me to what? Do you know,” she added quickly before I could answer her, “that I think you are a horrid pessimist.” “ You're awfully good,” I said, rather taken aback, and wondering into which pocket I should put my gloves, “But I'm afraid I can't live up to your opinion,” and [ deposited the little wad of suede in the last place I should think of looking for it on leaving. “ Why ?” she asked. “You tell me why you made the remark first, ease aux dames!" | answered. “ Not in 1895," she laughed, “except when -LIFE- they grab it and stick there! No, explain to me first and afterward I will tell you.” Of course she didn’t, but I did. However, I can't say she seemed persuaded particularly. I remembered her violets, which this time I had left for safety in the hall, and brought them into her. “+ How nice of you to have thought of them,” she said. “T'Shouldn’t have.” “T don’t believe you,” I answered. “ You see you are a pessimist,” she laughed. “I shall wear these to the private view of the Fine Arts Society this afternoon.” “ Are you going ?" The note of disappoint- ment in my voice was quite childish, “Not till late? But aren't you going 2” “Oh, yes, date,” and I smiledat her, so that she was obliged to lift the violets to her face, and played hide-and-go-seek with my adoring admiration. “You must explain all the pictures. many have you in the exhibition 2” “Three.” I would have given anything to change the conversation, but couldn't see any way to. “All portraits of ladies?" she asked with a horrid little smile, lifting her eyebrows. “No, only two.” “Oh, only two! —? “Mrs. Pankgor—I finished her yesterday.” “In how many sittings did you finish Mrs. Pankgor ?” “In six.” “How many of these six did it take for Mrs. Pankgor to finish you?" “Tam not yet finished by Mrs. Pankgor !” “Oh, then I suppose there will be more sittings.” “1 thought we were not going to discuss Mrs. Pankgor any more.” “Ican't help it! Ican’t resist the tempta- tion, you are so deliciously easy to tease 1" “But is it fair to Mrs, Pankgor 2” “Oh, yes! She'd be delighted to have her How Mrs. Van Tinkleton, and 167 name connected with any one’s, and besides it would flatter her to death to think I am jealous of her." “ Are you?” “Yes, Lam.” “ Mrs, Turnbull —" I began, passionately. “Because she can afford to go toa much better dressmaker’s than I can.” “That's ridiculous!” I said, angry at her turning the conversation in that way. “Not at all, She's a splendid lay figure. You know how conspicuous she always makes herself, so she gets her gowns at half price in consideration of the advertisement she gives!” “I don't follow you very well,” I murmured. “Oh, of course, men are never sympathetic about women’s dress |" The cool little maid entered. “The brougham is at the door, madam.” We rose. “To go to the exhibition,” Mrs, Turnbull said. “I must get ready ; it won't take me five minutes ; will you wait for me?” “+1 will wait for you, so long as I liv “We may take long, but not a man’s life- time, to put on our hat and gloves.” “It may seem a life-time to the man. it wasn't for that I meant I will wait.” “No?” “You are tremendously fascinating ! I don't wonder all the women want you to paint them!" “You are making fun of me,” I said, feel- ing very uncomfortable. “Not at all"—she moved toward the hall— ‘and in five minutes I'll be yours—for the rest of the afternoon.” “No longer 2” I cried as she passed through the curtains. “I lunch alone to-morrow at one. My sister-in-law has the grip, thank goodness !—I mean I'm sorry to say!" And I heard her humming ‘ You can't play in our yard” as she mounted the stairs. Clyde Fitch. But Anxious MOMENT. ae thite Xi ant ES See comicbooks.com