The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-05-22
THE SIGHTED ARTIST.

The scene was an English artist studio
IN Paris. Il was full Of warm lights and
shifting shadows. with the clear radiance
~ the north slopine skylight streaming
fan upon the canvas that occupied the
cascl while all around were scattered tho
elegant little tokens Of an artists refined
lie and cultivated taste.
nupert Cecil sat before the easel a Slcn.
dc, iair.haircd young man, with blue
dreamy eyes. and features outlined like
The curves Of Greek model, while bis
Mue velvet painting cap. tasselod with
cold. and Persian dressing gown that no
wore added. by species OF sympathetic
contrast. to his refined beauty. And
directly opposite TO him. in crimson
cushioned easy chair. upon the dais de-
voted TO Mr. Cecil's sittcrs. reclined ono
Of thc most beautiful ghls of the Paris
season. Olive Clermont.
Dark and glittering, with hair like
mcsLcs Of misty jet, and checks glowing
Ike shadowed pomegranate blossoms. she
,st there. as Cleopatra might have sat en-
tlroned before the worshiping gaze Of
Mark Antony. her eyes filled with lamoent
g.ht beneath their long. carried lashes.
andthc coral red lips half apart, and as
She sat a long breath, like sigh. tuttered
through the crimson portals.
You are tired, Miss Clormont, said
Nr Cecil, pausipg with his brush poised
l.lf way above the palette
Not tired. Olive answered with be-
vitchlng smile. "only / was thinking"
and may vcn'Irc to ask Of wliatr'
"Of your future.
Tie dark eyes glowed. the velvet lips
dirp.ed into q smile.
Rupert Cecil looked up with sudden
decr,uing0f color.
"Aud low did your fancy honor me by
occurring that same futureT he asked, in
a. low thrilling voice.
Olive Clermont laughed.
Nay. must not tell you that. Fame,
rory. Ienown, will all be yours; while
Yes, he repeated very slowly; while
you--
While shall be only Olive Clernont.
She rose as she spoke, with a sweet
smile and nod toward a young lady who
"a, In the shadow beyond, engaged in
some light fancy work
Come Clara think, Mr.. Cecil, you
sad the sitting was complete.
For today yes, be answered mechani-
cally
Shall come again next week, on Tues
day.
As usual. if Won please
And Olive Clcrmont. tying red plumed
hat over her black curls, swept out of the
room followed 10y her companion, leaving
Rupert Cecil in dreamy ecstasy Of bliss.
BE had loved her with the passionate
aI0ration Of man Of genius-and the
faiute,t dawn Of possibility that his de-
yo,i0n might be returned was simply in
loxicalug 10 him
He was still rapt ia these meditations,
when. some five minutes later, he came
downstairs, stopping as he did so in the
little ante room 10 leave the key Of his
studio during his Temporary absence.
As lie stood waiting for the porter's
little boy TO attend his summons. silver,
clear voice from the veStbuIe rang on his
ear
What nonsense. Clara As If should
ever condesccud to think twice of poor
artist lie NAV consider himself very
highly louored T.. amuse myself one day
tn week with this por.rait painting bust
ucs7
AM t.an the wheels Of the GlitteIfng
carris-e rolled mp 10 the door, and Olive
Clerr rt and her friend Miss Allen. were
wh.Tit away
RI, 70 Gel s,ood perfectly quiet, with
the studio key hauging.on has little finger
aud 10 one would have thought, TO visw
the composure OF his lip and brow. that
the brightest hope aud aspiration Of hi:
life had that moment received It's death
blow We'll. what If the smart was bit
Tor. the sting passing keenY Men. aye
scores Of them had endured it. and lived
yalautly through the agony long ere this.
l. was quite true. he was only poor
artist.
When Olive Clermont came into the
studio again. on tho following Tuesday.
Mr Cecil was painting iEdustriously away
al a little scarlet lighted Eruption OF
Mount Nesuyius.
And my picture, Mr. Cocil:' lisped the
belle with somewhat of plaintive reproach
III Ter accents
Il an very sorry, ne said quietly but
it has mot with an accident. The canvas
Is slit through from top to bottom.
Olive uttered an exclamation OF sur
pusc and disappointment.
Oh, dear how could that possibly have
happened? But you will begin 1t again,
Mr Cecily'
regret to say" be answered coldly,
hat my other engagements will not per.
nit Of it llcaye for England next week
Olive Clcrnont pouted. 1t will be u
very great disappointment to papa.
am sorry, Cecil answered fngldly
and that was all the satisfaction the belle
could get out Of him
Il don't see what has happened TO jnt
lin out she said 10 Clara Allen when
tLcy were once mOre seated in the car
rage. but don't care very much about
Il. one way or the Other was getting
tired Of The Irritation.
50 Miss Clcrmont dismissed the young
artist for good and all from her mind
Had she not plenty Of other things 10 busy
Tie capriclous little omnium gatherum
tnat she called her mind?
rs It really true that he is so famousY
Olive Clermont was the speaker. but
Oh, how changed! Pink checked and
cherry Tipped still, With the roses and
cherries one buys in a perfumers shop at
so much per ounce. while blue circles out
lined the heavy eyes. aud the lines Of tina
iace were rigid and inelastic Moreover,
her dress was no LONGER rich and fresh