Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

38 THE VIRGINIAN HOODWINKED. tion, for once upon a time Bob came very near fol- lowing that profession asa Mvelihood, being peculiarly adapted to it. Circumstances threw him in the way of entering Wall street, and thus his course of life was changed, though at odd times since he has done a little sketching. | Gypsy has vanished—she is waiting until the party become interested in their game, and then she appears at Bob’s side. ‘You audacious man—who gave you permission to look at my work ?”’ ‘‘T beg pardon—have I done wrong ?—but I am de- cidedly interested. You havea free touch and the true conception of an artist.’ : Then he proceeds to praise and criticise in a manner that astonishes and delights her. ‘(Vou are an artist?’ she cries. ‘Ves, in the Stock Exchange—I am a Wall street operator, and do you know the idea has more than once occurred to me that I made a great mistake in choosing my profession—in other words that a good artist was spoiled to make a poor financier. ’? ‘‘T shall be indeed glad to have you give me some ideas—I am very much engrossed with the work— but not now. ‘There is something more important to be looked into. I have made the opportunity you desired—now tell me about your adventure—how you came to know of the grandfather—of Gypsy Gordon.”’ He glances around, and for the first time notices what a delightful little party has gathered at the CORNICE OOO KS. On)