[Illustration: CLARENCE ALLARDYCE, THE RISING YOUNG ARTIST, CANNOT IN
ALL LONDON FIND A MODEL WORTHY TO POSE FOR THE HAIR IN HIS MASTERPIECE,
"THE WOOD NYMPH." ON THE EVE OF THE EXHIBITION HE TELLS HIS TROUBLE
TO HIS FRIEND, CHARLES CARFAX, WHO, WITH HIS FIANCEE, HAS VISITED THE
STUDIO.]
[Illustration: THAT EVENING, AS HE SITS IN HIS STUDIO BEWAILING HIS
LOT, A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR IS USHERED IN.]
[Illustration: SHE UNVEILS HER HEAD, AND IN DUE COURSE THE MASTERPIECE
IS FINISHED.]
[Illustration: THE NEXT DAY A FASHIONABLE CROWD THRONGS ALLARDYCE'S
STUDIO TO VIEW THE PICTURE BEFORE ITS DEPARTURE TO THE EXHIBITION. AMONG
THEM IS CARFAX, WHO, RECOGNISING HIS FIANCEE'S HAIR, IS OVERCOME WITH
RAGE AND THREATENS TO DESTROY THE PICTURE.]
[Illustration: AS HE IS ABOUT TO EXECUTE HIS FELL PURPOSE HE IS
STOPPED BY HIS FIANCEE. "STAY!" SHE CRIES. "IT IS NOT AS YOU SUPPOSE. IT
_IS_ MY HAIR, BUT--I WEAR A WIG. I SENT IT TO HIM BY POST." BY THIS NOBLE
LIE SHE SAVES THE PICTURE AT THE COST OF HER MATRIMONIAL HOPES.]
[Illustration: CAST OFF BY CARFAX, THE HEROINE VISITS THE EXHIBITION
ALONE. THERE SHE IS FOUND BY CLARENCE, WHO ASKS HER TO SHARE WITH HIM
THE FAME AND FORTUNE WHICH SHE HAS BROUGHT HIM.]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Face Massage Specialist._ "NO DOUBT, SIR, YOUR SPEECHES
ON FRIGHTFULNESS HAVE AFFECTED YOUR EXPRESSION."
_Prussian Orator._ "WELL, YOU MUST DO THE BEST YOU CAN FOR ME. TO-NIGHT
I HAVE TO SPEAK ON 'OUR LOVE FOR THE SMALLER NATIONS.'"]
* * * * *