Polly and Her Friends Abroad Part 19

"And Miss Dorothy Alexander from Denver, Mr. Alexander her father, and my father, Mr. Fabian. This is Count Chalmys, of Northern Italy, friends."

Everyone acknowledged the introduction, and the Count seemed over-joyed to meet so many of "Mees Nancy's" friends. He sat down with the group and soon led the conversation. Mr. Alexander sat glowering at him but it was difficult to read the little man's thoughts.

The Count seemed more attracted to Polly than to the other girls, but then he had heard of Rainbow Cliffs and that Gold Mine, thought Dodo. On the walk to the hotel, he mentioned a famous collector's sale which would begin the following day at one of the Auction Galleries.

"Oh, are you interested in antiques, then?" asked Polly, eagerly.

"I like paintings-old masters and such things. I never lose an opportunity to secure one when it is offered for sale. My palace, near Venice, is a museum of paintings. You must visit it when you tour Italy," responded the Count.

Mr. Fabian now asked: "Is it possible for us to secure an entrance to this sale, Count?"

"I can easily secure tickets and a catalogue for you, Monsieur Fabian.

Will the young ladies be pleased to attend, also?"

"Oh yes, it is for their interests that I would like to attend, and explain various objects that might be found in the collection."

"Then leave it to me, Monsieur. I will arrange everything for their convenience."

The Count left the Americans at the hotel door, and said good-night. As they all walked laughingly through the main lobby, the clerk sent a page after them with a cablegram. It was for Mr. Alexander and he felt a tremor of apprehension as he took it.

He turned to the others and said (exactly as he had heard Mr. Fabian do) "Pardon me, whiles I read what the missus has to say now." Then he quickly opened the envelope.

"Well, that settles my vacation!" exclaimed he.

"What's the matter, Pa?" asked Dodo, anxiously.

"Ma's gone and got that roadster for two-it is a Packard the same as our other car, but now she wants to tour around, and she thinks she will bring Jimmy over to Paris for a little jaunt."

"Jimmy! Good gracious, why will she have to bring that child with her?"

complained Dodo, poutingly.

"She wouldn't bring him, Dodo, if she thought there were better 'handles' to be had on the Continent," laughed Eleanor.

"That's a good idea! Pa, we'll wire Ma to leave Jimmy there, as she'll have more fun selecting her future son-in-law from the crowd of t.i.tles she can have for the asking, over here," eagerly suggested Dodo.

Mr. Alexander seemed to take the suggestion seriously, for he returned: "I'll step over, now, and send a word that will keep that little Osgood boy at home with his folks."

No one knew what Mr. Alexander said in his message, but the next day a reply came, saying: "I will do as you say, and not come over at once.

Try and arrange everything satisfactorily for us."

Even Dodo could not coax her father to tell what he had said, but it was evident that Mrs. Alexander felt satisfied to remain in England and leave other matters in the hands of her spouse.

The Count called on the tourists at the hotel, that morning, with the tickets of admission to the sale, and Mr. Alexander drove them to the Gallery, and left them there for the day.

They were given good seats in the front row of buyers, and the moment the sale began everyone was interested in the collection. That day, Polly secured a Gothic wedding-chest with ornamented and beautifully carved sides and lid. Mr. Fabian bought two panels from a XVI century door which he planned to use for two table-ends for his library table.

Eleanor and Dodo bought a few smaller trifles, but that day's sale brought out such a conglomeration of beautiful objects, as well as dreadful imitations, that Mr. Fabian warned the girls about bidding injudiciously.

"This sale offers a fine opportunity of study for us, girls, but let me advise you before you bid on anything. I want you to look well at everything put up, and tell me why it is good, or what makes it impossible. In this way, you will learn a great deal, even though you may not care to buy the articles we criticise."

Then he turned to Dodo and added: "One cannot train his eyes to recognize art and beauty at once, you see. Your eyes may criticise and your hands may accomplish art-work, but the inspiration that truly expresses art comes from Mind alone. Thus the finer and more harmonious the thoughts of the mentality that thinks, the more beautiful and perfect will be his achievement in any line of work.

"Take our own line, for instance-interior decorating. The genius is one who has sympathy, tact, good sense, and practicality, _combined_ with his talent to select, a.s.sort, group and arrange the numerous objects necessary to create an atmosphere.

"Wall-coverings and hangings, floor-coverings, pictures, lighting-fixtures and trim of rooms, are fully as important a feature in an effect, as the furniture of the room, for it all goes to make the complete picture of a home.

"No novice can win laurels in this line, Dodo. But one who earnestly studies and conscientiously applies the valuable experiences of other successful artists of the past, will win. That is why I wanted my girls to see the collections in Europe-to benefit them by the successes and hard work of others, whose work of past times is still found to be the best of its kind, and now are on free exhibition in museums and chateaux of the Continent."

Turning to the other girls who were listening to him, he added: "Now gaze about and remember. Tell me how _not_ to decorate with impossible objects on view here and elsewhere; and how to use what is really good that will combine to present a perfect interior."

Then the girls took a new interest in studying and criticising the different pieces that were placed on sale. Dodo showed an apt.i.tude that astonished Mr. Fabian and his students, for no one had given her credit for having such a critical sense on works of art.

The first piece exhibited for sale was a secretaire. The other girls were still musing over its form and construction when Dodo exclaimed impetuously: "Oh what a monstrosity! even though it has a beautiful grain in the wood, it is so awfully clumsy."

"Why do you say that?" asked Mr. Fabian, highly pleased, while the Count turned to notice the girl he had paid no attention to, before this.

"Why just look at it! With its heavy thick-set legs that belong to a rhinoceros, and its slender graceful body that looks like a fawn's."

Everyone within hearing of this remark, laughed softly. Loud speaking or disturbing sounds were forbidden, so Polly and Eleanor had to hush their merriment with their handkerchiefs.

The Count suddenly adjusted the monocle he affected and whispered to Polly: "You must be proud of your fellow-student."

Polly instantly replied, without explaining the situation: "Oh yes, we are. Dodo is very remarkable in many ways."

But Mr. Fabian said, as soon as he could control his sense of humor, "Dodo, you have a true eye for lines, and that criticism is worthy of a news-paper man-it is so graphic."

Following the secretaire, were several pieces of nondescript furniture that was quickly bid upon and sold to people who wanted mere articles for use and not for beauty. Then a suite of furniture was placed upon the dais and the auctioneer began to point out its especial claims to beauty.

"Girls, is anything wrong with that furniture? Who would use it in a home, and what style of house does it belong in?" said Mr. Fabian.

Again Dodo was the first with her criticism. "Who wants doleful furniture, in a bed-room, to make you weep just as you lose consciousness in sleep? One needs cheerful objects to close one's eyes upon, and also to bid you good-morning when you wake up."

"Fine!" complimented Count Chalmys, still more interested in this precocious young lady of not yet seventeen.

"True, and who wants majestic pieces in a nursery?" said Eleanor.

"Or dainty personal lounges or chairs in the City Hall," added Polly, smilingly.

"Exactly, girls! I am so proud of you all that I feel as if someone had presented me with a bouquet of flowers."

The impossible set of furniture had been sold and now a Gothic armchair of carved deadwood, upholstered in faded tapestry with beautiful blends of colors that only great age could produce was brought out and placed on exhibition. The moment Polly saw it she made up her mind to have it.

But she now knew how to go about bidding in a public sale, because of the experience Eleanor and she had had in New York, when they went about with Mr. Fabian.

The auctioneer started the chair at a reasonable figure and instantly there was lively bidding for it. Polly said not a word but waited eagerly. Then one bidder after another fell out of the contest, until it finally narrowed down to two men.

Polly's companions knew that she was but waiting her time to speak out.

And they were anxiously watching the two men who seemed bent on getting the chair. Finally one of the men shook his head to indicate that he would go no higher, and the auctioneer said: "What! Is this all I can get for this fine example of cabinet-work?"

Very calmly and quietly, then, Polly raised the last bid.