Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-21
GaIes arlo Sketfbes.
4 CAT DECElvER.

CAT DECElyER.
JACQUES Brubiere is an artist whose
NEUROLOGICAL pictures have most de-
lightful modern air. His Greci&n god
.lesses look like Parisiennes; their wind
blown hair. their high-heeled sandals
and a peculiar twirl given t. their drapery
have captivated the Partisan ladies. Sc
they crowd jacques studio and implore
him to let them sit for Dianas and An.
dromedas. But he is a most unromantic
f.llow, and is swayed by no considera-
tons other than those OF gain. Although
h, is but 80, he has gained fame and some
fyrtune: and he is so industrious that he
flies from useless words and time consum-
crs-that is to say women and bores. \
year ago, inst after the art exhibit closed,
Jacques determined to go on sketchDg
tour. So he packed his trunk, assisted by
his friend Eugene de Lassi, and was bid
ding adieu to his studio, when the servant
entered with a note. 1t was nice little
note, daintily perfnmed, and the address
was written in the most delicate hand i'm
aginable. He read it, frowned and
crnmDling it up threw it on the floor.
"C1nfound the women he said.
whats the matter?' asked his friend.
why. I'm such an unlucky fellow,
replied Jacques. There's always some
woman or other bothering me. writing
how she admires my paintings. and how
she'd like to see me. and all that sort oil
thing. Just as if man would gay
he would like TO see my paint
ings because he admired the cut of my
beard Look said he, picking up the
letter. .saddress Nine LeOnie, such Il
street and number
But said Eugene. who was reading
the nots, Its very well written. J assure
Won. full Of most delicate wit. What are
you going to do with it?''
''Oh, you literary man." groaned
Jacques. "What am going to do with
il? Why, burn it, of course. What do
YOU suppose am going to do with it ?''
an tell you what to do with it," said
Eugene; you're going away
Yes"
Then give it to me-
..Why, what will YOU do with it ?" said
Jacques. with stare.
well, I'll play painter" replied Eu-
gene ..I'm not much OF one, but can
daub a little-enough. at all events. TO de-
ceive woman in love. And I'll find out
who Mime Leonie' is-that's only part of
her name, I'm sure"
So it was settled. .Jaques Bruhiere,
painter, set off for Switzerland and Eu-
gene de Lass, man of letters remained to
personate him. But only for Nine. Le
Dine Other visitors were told the truth
that the master was gone. At last she
came. Eugene's romantic fancy had
painted her as young and beautiful. But
she was more than that-she was divine
She was a brunette and had the most de-
lightfiil nose. the most sparkling eyes. the
most glorious hair and the most admira-
BILE little hands and feet that Eugene had
ever SEEN He nattered himself that he
was correctly made up for his role. His
velvet blouse and iaunty cap were a little
too clean perhaps, but that was good
fault.
Nine. LEONE wanted her portrait paint
ed and it was very difficult for her to de-
eide how it should be done. She wavercd
long. One day she would be Omphale ;
the next she had decided that to be rep
resented rs Salome was necessary TO her
peace of mind. But when Eugene had
made his preparations his tickle goddess
decided that Dc)ilah was the character
that suited her. and that she would won
der around the studio and drape herself
with the barbaric stuffs used by long gone
models and handle the curious weapons
and examine the porcelains. And then
she would say she was weary and would
come the next day. And she would go.
leaving Eugene de Lassi deeper in love
than ever.
As for him he was in Il dream He had
retired from the world. At his own quar-
ters his door was daily stormed by pub
fishers, by managers. by printers boys,
by creditors and by friends. But no one
knew where he had gone. lie had told
his servant he was going away. but had
not told him where. 1t was wrong; but
he took ferocious joy in it when he
thought how he himself had once pursued
these same editors and managers.
Eugene had ut last discovered that his
inamorata was widow. wealthy and of
good family. Her full name was Leoine
de Morse. He had never told his love.
but that she was blind TO it was impossi-
BILE. Yet she was calmly blind to his
painting, for she expressed her admira-
ton of it with an enthusiasm that made
Eugene vince. But one day when he was
rs usual, attempting to transfer her TO
canvas. Il particularly atrocious tree which
he had introduced in the back ground at
tracted her attention.
''.Jaques." said she, don't YOU think
that YOU arc-well. that you are losing a
little of your skill p'
WHAT" shouted Eugene.
IL mean-that is-Im afraid that
keep you so much from your work that"
IL only hope that you may keep me
from it forever" returned the amorous
Eugene. And so the dangerous moment
passed.
But this state of affairs could not last
forever. One fine day. as Eugene was
seated upon divan thinking of his lady
love, who had just departed, who should
enter but Jacques Bruhiere. Yes. there
he was. with his attendant carrying his
umbrella. his sketch book. his camp stools.
his baggage true artist Just from the
country. The false one trembled as he
thought his dream was over. Had he
been Borgia he would have slain his
friend. As he was not, he pressed his
hand warmly. and babe him welcome
But how could he extricate himself from
his dilemma? How could he answer to
high-spirited woman for the deception he
had practiced upon her? As to persuad-