River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-11-25

persons ever ready to praise, but not
one purchaser. Look, my studio
speaks for itself; it is poor, and my
statuettes remain its sole ornaments.
The hand that fashioned them is shak-
ing with-yes- starvation ~
Pauline Maurier averted her gaze
from the wan, white face, 50 despair
ing, so poetic. for there were tears on
the hollow cheeks which deeply moved
her. She proceeded, however. firmly.
I'VE are apt to accuse the world, when
the fault lies in our own lack of cour-
age aud energy"
"You are cruel r. he sighed; you
do not know -
Il am just!' she replied ''Still you
are not to blame; you are a sculptor
your brain is occupied with the poetry
of your ar You ere not fit TO battle
! with tine wGr.6 i read it in your face.
Sensitivelv organized, the first repulse
/ casts you into despair -
lie regarded her amazed. Then
abruptly covering his face, calculated
You speak truly, / have despaired
and starved. | could not hawk my
wOrks-the loved children of my brain.
1t killed mel preferred death!
"Have YOU no friends?' asked Paul
inc Maurier, after pause.
None! | am a stranger in London.
Therefore why should | live poor and
alone as | amp
TO bring to perfection the genius
/ heaven has bestowed upon you. There
she proceeded cheeriully, for the sing
uar fashion of their introduction had
removed all stiff reserve. IL believe
! have favor 20 ask in return.
Name it!'' he exclaimed gratefully.
1T is granted Whether | can rejoice
that existence is yet mine or not, your
noble kindness is the same.
Taking her slender hand he gravely
| pressed il 10 his lips.
First. / want you to lend me one of
| these statuettes as remembrance of
this day"
1T is yout Il give it!
NAY, take it as loan only. Now
| want you to carry ii down stairs
| yourself. and join me at tea.
| lie would have refused, but was
powerless before her gentle authority.
/ Selecting his very best statuctte-
youthful group classically posed, rep
resenting spring ban.shirg winter, he
! followed Pauline Maurier 10 her sitting
! room. When an hour later he returned
to his studio, Cyril Hargreave was 'al-
ready a changed man. His heart was
| lighter-his mind more hopeful-as,
Pro metheus caught fire from heaven
he had caught energy from Pauline
Maurier. She had read him correctly
IA genius, he lacked, owing to physical
weakness, the power of application
and will to struggle to fame.
''For all that, she commented when
| alone, This talents shall not be lost. >
Pauline Maurier felt the one prayer
her life had been answered. At last
had some one to work for-to help
to spend that energy upon she could
| not exert for herself. The difference
1 in their age ENABLED her she thOught,to
do this without improperly even in the
/ world eyes.
That evening Cyril heard a light step
outside his door: opening it he found
small basket full OF necessary provs-
/ ions, but the person who had left il
/ had vanished. A moment after.
much moved he stood in Pauline's
apartment.
Il cannot take this. Indeed | can
not, he said, blushing painfully.
you must" said Pauline firmly
"There is no disgrace in a loan! You
will lind the bill inside. ] would not
hurt your feelings for the world.
When YOU sell your staiuettes you shall
pay met
''Whenn he smiled family.
FLUSH! YOU promised me moi to des-
pair! she interrupted Now 60;
good night. have work to do.
Next morning Pauline Maurier went
I ~. lcl,s. .isaI
| CYL Hsrgreave's statuette.
Some while previously to this episode
in her life she had become acquainted
with. one of the princes among
/ English sculptors, as unsellish rs he
was clever.
1t was to his studio that Pauline was
bound. Reaching it. in briei space
she had told her story, and shown the
statuette.
1T is beautiful! 1t is the work of
1 genius the conception of a poetn' cried
the sculptor.
"And the genius, the poet, is starry
/ ing!" said Pauline, lean you do any
thing for him?"
Tho old thing, Miss Maurier,
smiled the sculptor. Ever asking for
| others, and never for yourself"
/ OUAN Iitttu lOI lliOSC W no are WIZ
/ thy" she laughed.
/ well, ] VIII do what | can" and
writing on a slip of paper he gave it to
/ her. Take this he said. ito the
/ gentleman living at this address. Say
/ you come from me. Ii anyone will buy
the group. he will, and at an honest
| price
Pauline. thanking him warmly, de-
/ parted.
/ That evening Cyril Hargreave,
| after a temporary absence, on enter
| ing his studio, found a pile of SOW
erejgns standing on bank note on his
/ table. Coloring crimson, seizing
/ them he darted 20 PaIline's room.
"What is the meaning Of this?' he
| gasped. in agitation.
/ Meaning! There, do not look dis
tressed; the money is your own
responded Pauline. in very matter of
fact tones. Aud please / shall be
much obliged, Mr.. Hargreave, if you
would settle my little account Of
yesterday"
Mine! This?' he exclaimed.
Yours. Look round. Where is
| your statueite? Conc! There and she
/ pointed to the gold, lis its representa-
: tive. on see L uANt btCu llAOlC Iblhu-
nate than YOU. Sit down and listen
When she had told her recital. Cyril
Eargredvc 5 eyes were full of tears.
He pressed Pauline's hand to his lips.
My preserver, he murmured, with
emotion, How can repay you?'
by becoming the genius | have
predicted. she replied.
So matters went on; Cyril had found
fricEd-Pauline field for her
energy Naturally a strong liking
grew up between them. When that
fatal dreamy languor seized the
sculptor, or he revolted from some
commonplace work necessary for
bread and cheese. Pauline Maurier
reused and saved him.
He owed all ID her. lie felt with
out her he should be nothing. Intense !
ly grateful, he saw in her his only
friend,
One day he asked her to come and !
see statue he had just fms ed. As |
She admired it, he said, taking her |
hands
I'm praising it, you praise yourself. /
Miss Maurier, for il is more your work /
than mine; but for you | should have /
been nothing. Miss Maurier-Pauiine |
may dare ASK you to be ever by
my, side9 II Is a selfish wish for Won /