San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-23
THE SIGHTED ARTIST.

The scene was an English artists studio
In Paris. 1t was full of warm lights and
shifting shadows, with the clear radiance
of the north sloping skylight streaming
full upon the canvas that occupied the
easel, while all around were scattered the
elegant little tokens of an artists refined
life and cultivated taste.
Rupert Cecil sat before the easel, a slen-
der, fair-haired young man. with blue
dreamy eyes, and features outlined like
the curves of Greek model; while bis
blue velvet painting cap, tasseled with
gold. and Persian dressing gown that he
wore added. by species of sympathetic
contrast. to his refined beauty And
directly opposite to him. in a crimson
cushioned easy chair. upon the dais de-
voted to Mr.. Cecil's sitters, reclined one
of the most beautiful girls of the Paris
season, Olive Clermont.
Dark and glittering, with hair like
meshes of misty jet, and cheeks glowing
like Swallowed pomegranate blossoms, she
sat there, as Cleopatra might have sat en-
throned before the worshiping gaze of
Mark Antony, her eyes filed with lambert
light beneath their long, curled lashes,
and the coral red lips half apart; and as
she sat long breath. like sigh. futtered
through the crimson portals.
You are tired, Miss Clermont," said
Mr. Cecil, pausing with his brush poised
half way above the palette.
Not tired" Olive answered, with a be-
witching smile only was thinking"
And may venture to ask of what?"
"Of your future"
The dark eyes glowed. the velvet lips
dimpled into smile.
Rupert Cecil looked up with sudden
deepening of color
'And how did your fancy honor me by
picturing that same future?" he asked, in
a low. thrilling voice.
Olive Clermont laughed.
Nay, must not tell you that. Fame,
glory, renown. will all be yours; while
L"
Yes" he repeated very slowly; while
you"
While shall be only Olive Clermont. "
She rose as she spoke, with a sweet
smile and nod toward a young lady who
sat in the shadow beyond, engaged in
some light fancy work.
Come, Clara; THINK. Mr.. Cecil, you
said the sitting was complete"
"For today, yes, he answered mechani-
cally
Shall come again next week. on Tues
day."
LAS usual, if you please"
And Olive Clermont, lying red plumed
hat over her black cuyls, swept out of the
room, followed by her companion, leaving
Rupert Cecil in dreazAy ecstasy of bliss.
He had loved her with the passionate
alteration of man Of genius-and the
faintest dawn of a possibility that his de-
votion might be returned was simply in
toxicating to him.
He was still rapt in these meditations,
when. some five minutes later. be came
downstairs, stopping as he did so in the
little ante room to leave the key Of his
studio during his TEMPORARY absence.
AS he stood waiting for the porter's
little boy to attend his summons, a silver,
clear voice from the vaStiouL rang on his
ear
What nonsense. Clarai AZ il l should
ever condesoend to think twice Ola poor
sz+ist- do may consider himself very
highly SOnerod il an,uSe myself ono day
in week with this perw-sit painting bssi.
ness"
And then the wheels of tho giitoering
carriage rc1hed up 10 the door. and Olive
Clerrlont and hee friedsd. Miss Allen. were
whH-Ied awsy
Rupert Cioil stood perfectly quiet. with
the studio key hansingson his little finger;
aad no ono would have thought, to view
the eomposure Of his lip and brow, that
the brightest hope aad aspiration of his
life had that moment received its death
blow. Well, what II the smart was bit
ter. the sting passing keenz Men, ays
soofes Of them, had endured it, and lived
valiantly through the agony long ere this.
1t was quite true, he was only poor
artist"
When Oftpe Cermont came into he
studio again, en- the following Tuesday,
DIR. Cecil was painting industrfously away
at Eetle soaslet lighted Eruption Of
Mount Vesuvius"
And my picture. Mr.. CecilT'' Esped the
belle, with somewhat of plaintive repCoaeh
ia her accents.
Il am very sorry. he said quietly, but
is slit through from top 70 bottom"
Olive uttered an exclamation of sur
prise and disappoinsnent-
"Oh. dearl how could that. possibly have
happened. But you win begin it agaiu,
Mr. Cecil2-
Il rasro< 10 say he answered colby.
that my other engagements will not per.
nit of it. Lleave fer England next week. "
Olive Cermont pouted- 'It will be a
very great disappointment to papa"
Il am sorry" Cecil answered frigidfy:
and that was all the satisfaction the belle
could get out of.him.
Il don't see what has happened TO put
him ont. she said 10 Clara Allen when
they were once more seated In the car.
riarya. sS,zlt don't "a ra XroI., Y1nuch s;bo1ft