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Literary
July 8, 1888
Wichita Eagle
Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas
What is this article about?
In an art gallery, the narrator recognizes his old friend Musgrave with a beautiful woman named Constance. Musgrave leaves for business, and the narrator approaches Constance, who intently studies a painting depicting her on Deal beach, recognizing her own clothes and accessories.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The face of the gentleman struck me as having a resemblance to some one I had seen before, and the lady was very beautiful--just the sort of creature whose grace and beauty would drive men distracted.
In the crowd at the entrance I lost them, but making my way to where my picture hung, I found them before it. The man was evidently no lover of art, for he was staring about the room in an absent minded manner; but the lady was bending forward intently, with her eye fixed upon my canvas in a manner that caused me to feel delighted.
I was just noting certain points in her girlish figure-for, of course, her back was turned to me, and I could not see her face-noting casually that she was tall, slender and graceful, with a certain piquant dash about her stylish dress, when a man whom I took to be a clerk stepped briskly up and whispered something into the ear of her companion.
"Oh, yes: I'll be there immediately," he responded; and, turning to the lady, said, "Constance, I must run away on a matter of business. Don't move from this place until I return, so that I shall know where to find you."
He was walking quickly past me, when I touched him on the shoulder.
"Why, Musgrave, old fellow, can it be you?" I cried, for I remembered in a moment where I had seen his face before. We had studied together in Paris. "Can I do anything for you, or"- I glanced toward the still averted figure.
"Good heavens, Ray, who'd have thought of meeting you?" said he, hurry.
"Thanks, yes; I'm called away on an important matter: introduce yourself. I'll be back again in a few minutes. Want to run to the telegraph office."
The next instant he was lost in the crowd.
By her motionless attitude and fixed glance I saw at once that the lady had not heard a word of our conversation, and was quite unconscious of her escort's departure. I stepped up to her side, but before I could speak she was saying, in a half whisper:
"I never heard of anything so strange In my life, the beach down at Deal, don't you see? I know it's the beach, though it's horribly badly painted; and-oh, dear! it really cannot be, but"-she craned her neck and took a closer view-"yes. I am positive of it! I ought to know my own clothes, my own Indian bracelet, the crimson hat-don't you remember it?- and the fawn dress. And that book-one of Miss Braddon's-and a parasol I wish the hat were not so far down over the face, though. I should so like to know whether it is intended for me, or"
"Pardon me, madame," I said.
She turned upon me swiftly and I expected to be snubbed, but I was not.
In the crowd at the entrance I lost them, but making my way to where my picture hung, I found them before it. The man was evidently no lover of art, for he was staring about the room in an absent minded manner; but the lady was bending forward intently, with her eye fixed upon my canvas in a manner that caused me to feel delighted.
I was just noting certain points in her girlish figure-for, of course, her back was turned to me, and I could not see her face-noting casually that she was tall, slender and graceful, with a certain piquant dash about her stylish dress, when a man whom I took to be a clerk stepped briskly up and whispered something into the ear of her companion.
"Oh, yes: I'll be there immediately," he responded; and, turning to the lady, said, "Constance, I must run away on a matter of business. Don't move from this place until I return, so that I shall know where to find you."
He was walking quickly past me, when I touched him on the shoulder.
"Why, Musgrave, old fellow, can it be you?" I cried, for I remembered in a moment where I had seen his face before. We had studied together in Paris. "Can I do anything for you, or"- I glanced toward the still averted figure.
"Good heavens, Ray, who'd have thought of meeting you?" said he, hurry.
"Thanks, yes; I'm called away on an important matter: introduce yourself. I'll be back again in a few minutes. Want to run to the telegraph office."
The next instant he was lost in the crowd.
By her motionless attitude and fixed glance I saw at once that the lady had not heard a word of our conversation, and was quite unconscious of her escort's departure. I stepped up to her side, but before I could speak she was saying, in a half whisper:
"I never heard of anything so strange In my life, the beach down at Deal, don't you see? I know it's the beach, though it's horribly badly painted; and-oh, dear! it really cannot be, but"-she craned her neck and took a closer view-"yes. I am positive of it! I ought to know my own clothes, my own Indian bracelet, the crimson hat-don't you remember it?- and the fawn dress. And that book-one of Miss Braddon's-and a parasol I wish the hat were not so far down over the face, though. I should so like to know whether it is intended for me, or"
"Pardon me, madame," I said.
She turned upon me swiftly and I expected to be snubbed, but I was not.
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Love Romance
What keywords are associated?
Art Gallery
Old Friend
Painting Recognition
Beach Scene
Beautiful Lady
Literary Details
Key Lines
"I Never Heard Of Anything So Strange In My Life, The Beach Down At Deal, Don't You See? I Know It's The Beach, Though It's Horribly Badly Painted; And Oh, Dear! It Really Cannot Be, But" She Craned Her Neck And Took A Closer View "Yes. I Am Positive Of It! I Ought To Know My Own Clothes, My Own Indian Bracelet, The Crimson Hat Don't You Remember It? And The Fawn Dress. And That Book One Of Miss Braddon's And A Parasol I Wish The Hat Were Not So Far Down Over The Face. Though. I Should So Like To Know Whether It Is Intended For Me, Or"